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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 6

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

42 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with the significant increase in aluminium in water supplies identified in the recent report of the Environmental Protection Agency in view of possible links between aluminium in water and health problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14364/99]

Primary responsibility for the provision of drinking water supplies and for upholding the prescribed quality standards rests with sanitary authorities, under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency. The required standards for drinking water are prescribed in the European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1988. Exceeding the quality standards does not automatically mean there is a risk to public health.

Aluminium sulphate is widely used in Ireland and internationally in the treatment of drinking water, primarily to remove colour and particulate matter. In terms of the health implications of aluminium, the most recent assessment by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that the present epidemiological evidence does not support a causal association between Alzheimer's disease and aluminium in drinking water. As a consequence, the guideline value recommended by WHO in respect of aluminium in drinking water is based on aesthetic, rather than health, considerations. This assessment has been reflected in the recently adopted revised Directive on Drinking Water (98/83/EC) where alu minium has been included as an indicator, rather than a health-based, parameter.
However, in view of my concern to ensure that all water treatment plants are operated to the highest standard, I have asked sanitary authorities to examine all aspects of the operation of treatment plants, in the light of the recommendations set out in the EPA report, with a view to optimising treatment processes generally. In this connection, I have again emphasised the importance of ensuring that relevant personnel involved in the operation of water treatment plants participate in the caretaker development course which has been developed by the national training committee.
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