Vol. 508 No. 3
78 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the homes in Dublin and Cork which have their drinking water supplied through lead piping; the plans, if any, he has to replace lead piping in the water supply system; the cost of this replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18725/99]
The Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategic Study published in 1996 shows that there is only 332 metres of lead mains in the greater Dublin area out of a total mains length of over 5.8 million metres. The study estimates that about 92,000 properties or 26 per cent of the total properties in the greater Dublin area have lead service pipes, which are normally the responsibility of the property owner, connecting the property to the public water mains. In the case of Cork city, an estimated 20,000 properties or 44 per cent of properties in the city have lead service pipes. No breakdown is available for either location as between domestic and non-domestic properties. Information in relation to lead piping in other parts of the country will be supplemented by information gathered under the national water study which is due to be completed early in 2000.
The new drinking water directive has tightened the parametric value for lead from 50 micrograms per litre to 10 micrograms per litre. A 15 year timeframe to the end of 2015 is specified for achieving compliance with the new standard with an interim value of 25 micrograms per litre to be achieved by the end of 2005. Compliance with the interim standard will generally be achieved through the provision of appropriate treatment at water treatment plants while compliance with the 10 micrograms per litre standard could involve replacement of lead services as appropriate. Full assessment of the cost implications of meeting the new lead standard must await determination of a recommended sampling method for lead. Proposals in this regard are expected from the EU Commission before the end of the year.
