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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1993

Vol. 436 No. 4

Written Answers. - Ashbourne (Meath) Water Supply.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

143 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the independent analysis of tap water in Ashbourne, County Meath, which disclosed levels of iron almost ten times the maximum admissible concentrations as prescribed by EC guidelines and manganese levels five times those of the guidelines; the reason he granted a derogation from the relevant EC directive to Meath County Council in respect of iron and manganese in drinking water; the terms of the derogation; the steps, if any, that are being taken to bring the water quality into line with that specified in the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Departures for the parameters iron and manganese have been granted in accordance with the European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1988, in respect of the Ashbourne water supply. These departures relate to exceedances of the maximum admissible concentrations, MAC, arising from naturally occurring conditions affecting this groundwater source. In order to redress the high iron and manganese levels of the Ashbourne water supply, I have recently approved Meath County Council's proposals to instal a filtration system which will reduce the level of these substances below the MAC. I understand that work will commence in the near future.

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