Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
270. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures he has or will put in place to tackle excessive lime levels in residential water supplies which can damage household appliances such as kettles, washing machines and dishwashers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15995/16]
View answer271. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he, the consumer, the local authority or Irish Water is responsible for alleviating the problem of hard water in residential water supplies caused by excessive lime levels in areas of limestone bedrock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15996/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
Since 1 January 2014 Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. I have no responsibility for, or role in relation to, the management, operation or maintenance of water services infrastructure.
Under the European Union (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 is wholesome and clean. Water which is wholesome and clean is defined as water which is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which in numbers or concentrations constitute a potential danger to human health, and which meets the quality standards specified in the Schedule to the Regulations. Hard water and the minerals associated with hard water are not included as parameters in the quality standards specified in the Regulations as they do not pose a threat to human health. Even though hard water is safe to drink and meets the required drinking water standards, some households may choose to soften their supply but this is a matter of personal choice.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the water quality regulator, is the supervisory authority for public supplies under the Regulations and local authorities are the supervisory authority for relevant private supplies, including group water schemes.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.
