Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2015
508. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the high levels of lead in water pipes in an area of the north side of Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18627/15]
View answerThe Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is responsible for policy and legislation in relation to drinking water quality. Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for the provision of public water services.
The EU (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014 require that where Irish Water or a local authority, having consulted with and subject to the agreement of the HSE, consider a supply of water intended for human consumption constitutes a potential danger to human health they must ensure that appropriate restrictions are put in place, that consumers are given necessary advice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is informed.
In practice the local authority engineer, acting on behalf of Irish Water, contacts the Principal Environmental Health Officer (PEHO) of the HSE to consider whether an exceedance of a parametric value has occurred and the initial investigation into the exceedance warrant restrictions and/or notification to consumers. Where a potential danger to human health exists the PEHO liaises with the Specialist in Public Health Medicine before agreeing appropriate actions with Irish Water and/or the local authority as appropriate.
The Regulations also provide the EPA with supervisory powers for public water supplies whereby the EPA can direct Irish Water to improve the management or quality of a public water supply. Under the Regulations Irish Water must notify the EPA of drinking water non-compliances or risks to public health from a public water supply.
Irish Water and the local authority are responsible for taking the necessary steps to bring the public water supply back into compliance and for issuing information and advice to consumers.
