Too many people in Ireland are putting their health at risk by drinking water from small private supplies which are not registered or monitored, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned. Its 2023 report on water quality from these sources found an increase in E.coli contamination and increased presence of potentially toxic trihalomethanes (THMs) compared to 2022.
One in 20 small private supplies and private group schemes failed to meet E.coli standards in 2023, impacting approximately 4,600 people – the bacteria indicates presence of faecal matter from human sources or manure from animal sources.
A total of 21 private group schemes, supplying 22,000 people, failed the THMs standard – up from 16 schemes serving 16,000 people in 2022. THMs can form when organic matter present in drinking water reacts with chlorine disinfectant. Some studies have suggested a link between cancer and long-term exposure to THMs.
There are over 370 group water schemes supplying drinking water to 190,000 people across rural communities. In addition, many commercial and public premises supply water to the public from their own drinking water well. These “small private supplies” can include schools, crèches, nursing homes, self-catering accommodation and sports clubs.
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Only 1,665 small private supplies are registered with local authorities across the country – the total number remains unknown. Unregistered supplies are not monitored by local authorities. A total of 22 private group schemes and 71 small private supplies monitored by local authorities failed to meet the required E.coli standard.
“All drinking water produced in Ireland, whether it comes from a public or private supply, should be of high quality. Urgent action is needed by suppliers and local authorities to address these failings, to protect the public health of consumers,” said EPA director Dr Tom Ryan.
He said local authorities must take proactive steps to identify and register small private supplies in their areas, and the legislation needs to be amended to make it an offence for a supplier not to be registered.
“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,” said Noel Byrne of the EPA office of environmental enforcement.
He welcomed recent improvements to the application process which should make it easier for group water schemes to access funding. “However, every effort is needed by suppliers, local authorities, and the Department [of Housing] to get funding to the schemes that need it most.”
The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS), which represents community-owned and community-operated group water schemes (GWSs) said investment in infrastructure was critical to improving water quality and addressing the non-compliances observed.
“Although disappointed with the number of GWS non-compliances reported, the NFGWS is happy to see that, once again, the overwhelming majority of households served by community-owned and community-run group water schemes were found to be fully compliant with drinking water quality standards in 2023,” it added. It is also noted that the overall population effected by the E. coli failures had decreased since the last report.
“The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2024-2026 (MARWP), which was launched earlier this year, is key to addressing the infrastructural requirements in the sector. The NFGWS continues to work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other stakeholders to overcome difficulties experienced in previous programmes, including streamlining the new funding application process to assist group water schemes’ ability to access critical funding,” it said.
The NFGWS said it was encouraged by the positive response from GWSs across Ireland in taking action, with over 900 applications submitted under the new MARWP. “It is clear that GWSs have embraced the opportunity to improve their service to local members and funding can greatly assist group water schemes to address the vast majority of issues highlighted in today’s report.”
“The drinking water regulations place a strong emphasis on water safety planning and risk assessment/management at every step in the drinking water supply chain. Robust infrastructural and operational systems must be in place on every group water scheme to ensure the continued supply of safe, reliable drinking water.”
The sector is well-prepared in this regard, the body said, through the implementation of the NFGWS quality assurance system, continual operational and management training, and the ever-growing efforts with drinking water source protection. “The NFGWS promotes a strategy of amalgamation and rationalisation in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of community-owned group water schemes, built on effective governance structures and professional expertise. Examples of recent amalgamation projects in Mayo, Offaly, Limerick and Kilkenny demonstrate the potential of such an approach.”
Group water schemes in all parts of Ireland were continuing to work with their members, local community groups, schools and other like-minded organisations to put measures in place to improve water quality, biodiversity and the wider environment.
The report is available on the EPA website.
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