A new report has found that Ireland’s drinking water supplies will finally be in line with EU standards by 2020 – 16 years after the deadline for compliance.
The Environmental Protection Agency drinking water report found that public supplies were close to 99% compliant with standards in 2017.
However, 72 supplies remain at risk of being contaminated with parasites including E Coli.
Pesticide concentrations are also a concern in an increasing number of plants.
“Irish Water plans to have all public drinking water supplies compliant with existing EU public health standards by the end of 2020,” said Gerard O’Leary, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement.
“These standards came into force 16 years ago. There are currently 72 supplies where infrastructure is needed to achieve this goal.
The EPA also highlighted the areas of the country facing Boil Water Notices – with some 12,723 people affected.
It called for major investment by Irish Water in an effort to improve the security of Ireland's public water supplies - and comply with health standards and avoid further water restrictions.
Commenting on the report, Irish Water general manager Eamon Gallen said one of the utilities "key goals" is to ensure that consumers are offered the same standard of service "no matter where you live in the country."
