My Department understands that lead water distribution mains do not constitute a significant portion of the overall supply networks nationwide. At issue are lead connections to individual premises and internal lead plumbing that could affect drinking water quality and, therefore, have public health implications, necessitating replacement of the pipes involved. Only the replacement of lead pipes and connections on the public supply side is eligible for funding from my Department.
Last year, local authorities carried out assessments of needs in response to my Department's request, in July 2009, to the authorities to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital water services works in their areas. As part of those assessments, local authorities were requested to consider the steps necessary to meet the 2013 parametric value for the presence of lead in drinking water, based on the approach outlined by the EPA in its Lead Guidance Circular No. 2 of 21 April 2009, and to formulate proposals, where appropriate, for mains rehabilitation to replace lead connections.
The local authority assessments were a key input to the development of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Mains rehabilitation, including the replacement of eligible lead pipes and connections, is a key priority under the new Programme, which will build on existing local authority investment in water conservation by providing for a very substantial scaling up of activity on mains rehabilitation. My aim is to increase substantially investment in water conservation to provide for the commencement of contracts with a value of over €300 million over the next three years. This level of activity will continue to address the problem of lead pipes or connections in public water supply networks. The phasing and funding of mains rehabilitation works for each local authority are set out in the published Programme — information regarding the location of those projects may be had from the relevant local authority.