Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2018
527. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to an instance of water contamination below ground level in an area (details supplied); if the matter has been investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. While local authorities have a general responsibility for the monitoring, management and improvement of water quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is the supervisory authority for public water supplies. The EPA is also the statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland.
The procedures to be followed where there is non-compliance with the parametric values for drinking water, and the roles of the water supplier, the EPA and the Health Services Executive, HSE, are set out in the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, as amended, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library.
While my attention has not been drawn to this reported instance of water contamination, neither I nor my Department have any direct role in monitoring or supervising the delivery of water services or any pollution incidents arising therefrom.
