In accordance with the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations, 2000, local authorities are responsible for taking the necessary measures to ensure that water intended for human consumption conforms to prescribed standards. Detailed information in the quality of individual water supplies is available in the annual reports published by the EPA on the quality of drinking water in Ireland. The most recent such report is for the year 2002 and a copy is available in the Oireachtas Library. More recent information in respect of the quality of individual water supplies in not available in my Department but may be available from the relevant local authority.
Details of approved water and sewerage schemes in County Kilkenny, including the funding allocated for each scheme, are set out in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2004 — 2006, a copy of which is also available in the Oireachtas Library. The schemes included in the programme are derived from the priorities identified by the council in response to my Department's request to all local authorities last year to undertake fresh assessments of the needs for capital water services works in their areas and to prioritise their proposals on the basis of the assessments. I am arranging to have a copy of Kilkenny County Council's assessment forwarded to the Deputy.
