ELEVEN LOCAL authorities involving 23 areas have reported excessive lead levels in their water supplies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed.
The EPA wrote to every local authority in the country last week reminding them of their obligations to report any excessive lead levels to both themselves and the Health Service Executive.
The EPA said it issued the letter in response to public concern about lead contamination of water supplies which has been heightened in recent weeks by excessive lead levels in water in parts of Galway city and Mallow, Co Cork.
The letter outlined what steps must be taken by local authorities when lead levels in water supplies exceed recommended limits.
It reminded local authorities of the need to inform the public of the problem and what remedial action should be taken if lead levels are regarded as a health hazard. It also warned them that they would be prosecuted if correct procedures were not followed.
"We felt it was something that needed to be addressed following the Galway situation," said an EPA spokesman. "Local authorities need to be aware of what they need to do to make sure it does not happen again."
Galway City Council officials have been heavily criticised for their response to a lead contamination scare in the Mervue area of the city, while Cork County Council has said it will replace pipes in Mallow in Co Cork in a street where water contained lead levels several times the recommended limit.
Public health notices were issued in relation to lead levels in parts of Galway city, Mallow, Bruff in Co Limerick and Ballintra, Co Donegal.
The other local authorities that reported excessive lead levels were North Tipperary, Galway, Leitrim, Kerry, Wicklow, Carlow and Longford county councils. However, the lead levels in these areas were not regarded as a threat to public health.
Kerry County Council has assured the public that water there is safe. Excessive lead levels were found in water in Ballyferriter and Lissardboola earlier this year.
Kerry County Council director of water services Oliver Ring said there was no need for concern, although lead pipes are still being used in some areas of Tralee, Killarney, Killorglin and Brosna.
South Dublin County Council has issued a statement saying that many houses built before the 1960s relied on lead piping that led from the mains to the property. Similarly, internal plumping in building may be made of lead, the council said.
Water did not contain lead when it left the treatment plant, but it advised concerned householders not to drink water that had been standing in pipes for a long period, for example overnight, and also not to drink water from the bathroom taps as it may be fed from a storage tank rather than directly off the mains.
Lead levels are detected through random testing or through a request from the public. Local authorities are responsible for replacing public water supply pipes, but individuals have to bear the cost of replacing pipes in the internal plumbing system.
