Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
377. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the roll-out of the water metering programme, if Irish Water is complying with international standards in the fitting of boundary water meter boxes and specifically, as per international standards, if the correct grade B boundary boxes are being installed in vehicle access locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16295/14]
View answer378. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that Irish Water and their four main framework contractors have IS EN ISO 9001:2008 certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16296/14]
View answer381. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if old lead pipes have to be replaced under an EU scheme when Irish Water is installing meters; if there are any health and safety issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16457/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 377, 378 and 381 together.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the company the necessary powers to allow it to undertake the metering programme.
While it is a matter for Irish Water to comply with all national and European legislation in the discharge of its functions, the company has confirmed to my Department that it is satisfied that the selection and fitting of the boundary water meter boxes fully complies with international standards. For a Grade B cover and frame, the metering project tender documents for supply of boundary boxes set out the required conformance in relation to both loading classification and loading tests. The essential requirement was compliance with Grade B test loading for Grade B tendered boxes. Grade B boundary boxes are used where deemed necessary by Irish Water designers. They are fitted in accordance with the boundary box manufacturer’s recommendations and procedures which Irish Water designers have also incorporated into their designs. Furthermore, Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that the four main framework contractors have IS EN ISO 9001:2008 certification.
Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied complies with the chemical and microbiological parameters set out in the Regulations. The maximum allowable value for lead is 10 microgrammes per litre. There is no requirement to replace lead pipes as part of a European Union scheme. However, as part of the metering programme, Irish Water will be identifying the location of any lead service connections during the installation programme.
