Water quality

Information

Drinking water comes from various different sources, such as lakes, rivers, streams, springs and boreholes. Depending on the quality of its source, water will almost certainly have to be treated to make it safe to drink. All water supplies for human consumption must meet standards laid down by the EU. They must be free from micro-organisms, parasites and any substances that endanger public health if found in sufficient numbers or concentrations.

Factors affecting water quality

Several factors can affect the quality of water sources. If there is high rainfall, for example, rivers and streams in flood may become discoloured. If rainfall is low, these sources can dry up altogether. Other factors include the type of soil in an area, increased agricultural or residential development, breakdowns in the treatment process, power outages, lack of proper filtration or disinfection equipment or dirt in distribution pipes. Sometimes, poor water quality is due to the water being drawn from an unsuitable source.

You can find information about water pollution on the ENFO website.

Common water pollutants

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites are the most common health risk associated with drinking water. Using contaminated water for drinking; for preparing food; or for contact during washing or bathing can result in infection. A change in the colour, taste or smell of water can indicate a problem.

Lead pollution: Lead can also be present in drinking water as lead pipework was commonly used in plumbing up to about 1970 and some people may still be getting water through old lead pipes. The Health Service Executive has issued advice (pdf) and a set of frequently asked questions (pdf) for people who still have lead pipes.

Septic tanks: Leakage from septic tanks or other domestic wastewater treatment systems can contaminate drinking water. These contaminants are of particular danger to children, older people, pregnant women and people whose immune systems are compromised.

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 (pdf) provides for the registration, inspection and remediation (where necessary) of all domestic wastewater treatment systems, including septic tanks. It will require householders to register such systems with their local authority and pay a fee, probably every 5 years. This registration fee will be €5 up to 30 June 2012 and €50 after that. The deadline for registration is March 2013. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will develop a national inspection plan, to start in 2013. The EPA has published a set of Frequently Asked Questions on the new legislation.

Water treatment

Most water supplies need to be treated to bring them up to the standards required. Although groundwater is often of very high quality and may only need precautionary sterilisation, surface waters almost always contain impurities. These have to be removed by a suitable treatment process. If your water has an unpleasant taste, it could be because chlorine was added during the treatment process. While you may not like the taste, the addition of chlorine is not dangerous.

Public mains systems

The Environmental Protection Agency drinking water reports show that the quality of water in the public mains system is quite high. Public mains water goes through a complicated treatment process before it is distributed to the consumer. Water is sampled at all stages of the treatment process and regular testing is carried out on tap water on a daily basis to make sure it complies with the EU standards. The local authority is responsible for this treatment and the upkeep of the water distribution system.

Public group water schemes

The local authority employs the Health Service Executive (HSE) to test the water quality in public group water schemes once a year. The results are sent to the secretary of the group scheme. If there is a problem with the supply, the secretary should notify all the consumers on the scheme to take the necessary precautions, such as boiling water, until the problem has been resolved.

Private group water schemes

Water quality in private group water schemes and wells is tested by the HSE on behalf of the local authority twice a year. Private group schemes serving fewer than 50 people should be notified by the local authority if their water supply falls below EU drinking water standards. The local authority must let the scheme representatives know what measures are necessary to bring the supply up to the required standard. If there is a clear threat to human health from a contaminated supply, the local authority must immediately inform those responsible for the supply of what actions to take to safeguard water users. If the water in a private group scheme is not up to EU standards, the group must submit an action programme to the local authority with details of the treatment proposed

The Rural Water Programme – see below – aims to improve the quality of water in group schemes.

Private wells

If your water supply comes from a private well that supplies only your own house, you are responsible for monitoring your own supply. You can do this by contacting the Environmental Health section of your Local Health Office, which can organise testing to be carried out. It is not recommended that you take a water sample yourself as equipment has to be sterile. If the Local Health Office is testing your water, you must bear the cost of the testing yourself. If your supply is contaminated, you must organise and pay for any treatment that is needed.

Bottled water

There are two main types of bottled water: spring water and mineral water. Spring water is collected directly from the spring where it rises from the ground and must be bottled at the source. It must meet certain hygiene standards, but may be treated in order to meet EU pollution limits. Mineral water is water that emerges from under the ground and then flows over rocks before it is collected. Unlike spring water, natural mineral water cannot be treated except to remove grit and dirt. Different brands of spring and mineral water contain differing amounts of minerals, depending on where they are sourced.

Under the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999, the microbiological content of bottled water is regulated. Labels on bottled mineral water are required to state exactly what is in it and where it was sourced. It is an offence to market water as natural mineral water unless it complies with EU Council Directive 80/777/EEC. Containers used for packaging natural mineral water must be sealable to avoid contamination.

A random sampling of bottled water is carried out by the Environmental Health section of the HSE each year. If you have concerns about the quality of bottled water, you can get a sample tested by contacting the local Environmental Health Officer.

Water quality legislation

The European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2007 (pdf) give formal effect in Irish law to the EU Drinking Water Directive of 1988. They establish strict quality standards for water used for human consumption. They set out the maximum and guideline values for various different physical, bacteriological and chemical contaminants. Not all of these parameters are monitored on a regular basis. A group of 8 to 14 contaminants form the basis of water quality testing in Ireland.

Irish drinking water supplies are not routinely tested for radioactive contaminants, solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides and other organic compounds.

If the water quality in a private group water scheme serving 50 people or more is below EU standards, the local authority must contact the group's representatives within 14 days of receiving the results of a water quality test. A notice is served on the group's representatives to prepare an action programme that will bring the supply up to the necessary standard as soon as possible.

This programme must be prepared in consultation with the local authority and must fit in with whatever strategic rural water plan is in operation in that area. You can also get advice on this document from the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. The representatives of the group scheme must submit the programme to the local authority within 2 months of receiving the notice. The programme should contain the following information:

• A description of the quality issues to be dealt with
• Details of the changes put forward to bring the water supply up to drinking water standards
• Whether a capital grant under the Rural Water Dcheme is needed
• A timeframe for the achievement of drinking water standards
• Details of the management or operational changes that may have been made to bring the scheme into compliance with drinking water standards.

If the programme is not produced within 2 months, the person on whom the notice was served is guilty of an offence under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2007. On summary conviction in a District Court, he or she could be liable to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or a prison sentence not exceeding three months. If the Court decides, both a fine and a prison sentence could be imposed.

All water schemes, both public and private, had to meet a final deadline of 31 December 2003 for full compliance with all quality standards related to public health. The deadline for compliance with standards relating to levels of bromate and trihalomethanes in water was 31 December 2008, while the deadline for compliance with standards relating to levels of lead in water is 31 December 2013.