Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

Willie Penrose

Question:

436 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the quality of the water supply in Strokestown, County Roscommon, is safe for human consumption; the quantitative details of the quality of the water in the town's supply; and the details of plans to improve the quality of the water supply. [11334/02]

Willie Penrose

Question:

437 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the quality of the water supply in Monksland, Athlone, County Roscommon, is safe for human consumption; the quantitative details of the quality of the water in the town's supply; and the details of plans to improve the quality of the water supply. [11335/02]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together.

Statutory responsibility for the provision of drinking water supplies and for upholding the prescribed quality standards rests with sanitary authorities. Stringent quality standards are prescribed in the European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1998. The duty placed on sanitary authorities to ensure that drinking water meets these standards is performed by the authorities under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency. Information in relation to drinking water supplies in County Roscommon is contained in the EPA report "The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland 1998-2000", a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. More detailed information may be available on request directly from Roscommon County Council and the EPA.

Strokestown is currently supplied by the north east Roscommon regional water supply scheme. I have allocated funding in my Department's water services investment programme to allow substantial improvement works to commence on this scheme next year. I approved a brief for the appointment of consultants to prepare contract documents for the scheme in February 2000. Approval issued in January 2002 to Roscommon County Council's proposal to extend the consultant's brief to include an assessment of alternative surface and groundwater sources for the scheme. Monksland, Athlone is currently supplied by the south Roscommon regional water supply scheme. I have also approved upgrading works for this scheme, and this will allow Roscommon County Council to commence the relevant planning.