A total of 23 public water supplies in 11 different local authority areas had levels of lead in excess of the maximum allowable amounts since last year, it has emerged.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it had been notified by the local authorities of the 23 breaches since the introduction of the Drinking Water Regulations in March 2007.
The agency did immediately disclose the levels of lead involved in the 23 cases reported. But it said 99 per cent of samples taken on the State's 944 public water supplies were in compliance with the lead standard.
Four of the supplies had to be restricted after public health notices were issued. These included the supply in Galway city, Ballintra, Co Donegal, Bruff, Co Limerick and Mallow, Co Cork.
The other supplies that exceeded the lead limits were Croom, Caherclonish, Foynes-Shanagolden and Adare in Limerick; Fr Griffin Road and Mervue in Galway city; Gort, Loughrea, Tuam/Athenry in Galway county; Borrisokane and Thurles in North Tipperary; Bundoran and Milford in Donegal; South Leitrim RWSS and Kiltycloghter in Leitrim, Baile na Fhertitearaigh and Lissardboola in Kerry; Wicklow RWSS; Bagenalstown in Carlow and Ballinalee/Edgeworthstown in Longford.
Under the regulations, the maximum allowable amount of lead in drinking water is 25 micrograms per litre. In the case of the Galway supply recently, the level reported was 106 micrograms – more than four times the allowed level.
The EPA said in a statement today that it met all the local authorities this year to review the quality of their water supplies and advise them of the EPA guidance that must be followed. It also advised them that they must carry out lead surveys of their water distribution systems to determine the extent of lead piping in use.
Last Friday, it wrote to all the authorities informing them that if there is an exceedance of allowable lead levels they must consult with the Health Service Executive to see if there is a potential danger to human health.
They must also restrict or prohibit the use of water if necessary and ensure that consumers are informed. The EPA must also be notified promptly.
“In the event that appropriate action is not taken the EPA can direct a local authority to take the appropriate action to prevent, limit, abate or eliminate the risk to human health. Failure to comply with a direction is a prosecutable offence," the body said.
The results of medical tests on about 40 residents of Mervue in Galway, which was badly contaminated with lead, are due today.
