Unmonitored private drinking water supplies are a potential risk to public health, says EPA.

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According to the new Drinking Water Quality in Private Group Schemes and Small Private Supplies 2023 report by the Environmental Protection Agency many Irish people source their drinking water from small, unregistered supplies which may put their health at risk. Out of all the private supplies of water in Ireland only 1,665 have been registered with the local authorities to be monitored. The report also states that the number of private group schemes with E Coli failures increased in 2023 along with the 21 private schemes that failed the standard for Trihalomethanes.  

Noel Byrne, Programme Manager of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said:  

It is very disappointing to see an underspend of €38.5 million of Government support when there are ongoing water quality issues in group water schemes. The EPA welcomes recent improvements to the application process which should make it easier for group water schemes to access funding and deliver improved drinking water quality.  However, every effort is needed by suppliers, local authorities, and the Department to get funding to the schemes that need it most.”  

The full report is available to read here 

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