Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1992

Vol. 415 No. 1

Written Answers. - Naas (Kildare) Water Supply Contamination.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

354 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment if, following his recent meeting with residents from Naas, County Kildare regarding contamination of the water supply, he has agreed to introduce measures to prevent a recurrence of this; if so, if he will outline the measures he intends to initiate to alleviate the hardship, stress and anxiety caused to those affected by the contamination; if on the basis of the submissions made, a public inquiry is warranted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I have received a detailed report from the Kildare County Manager on the serious contamination incident in October 1991 which affected part of the Naas drinking water supply. I have also heard personally on this matter from local interests, who expressed concern at the incident and looked for reassurance about the safety of Naas drinking water.

In order to respond to these concerns, I have recently co-ordinated the following set of measures, where appropriate in co-operation with the Kildare County Manager.

The Sunday's Well source, the origin of the October contamination, has been closed off. Its pumps are also being removed and it will not be used again. All drinking water in Naas now comes from Ballymore Eustace, the largest source in the country.

The results of all of the regular monitoring carried out by the local authority on Naas drinking water since normal supplies were resumed have been assessed by my Department. These results show an excellent quality of drinking water: with the exception of one sample taken on 29 October 1991, all comply with national and EC drinking water standards.

As a special measure, extensive independent sampling and analysis of drinking water quality — principally in the area previously served by Sunday's Well — was carried out last week by the Environmental Research Unit (ERU) of my Department. Samples covered both kitchen tap and attic storage tank supplies. In all cases, the independent ERU analysis has shown a high quality of drinking water, with no breaches of any of the ten quality parameters analysed.

Revised guidelines for the protection of drinking water nationally are being urgently prepared by my Department in the light of the Naas incident and developments generally since the existing guidelines were formulated in 1986.

I am satisfied that this forward looking programme will best serve the wider public interest including the people of Naas.