Uisce Éireann welcomes EPA report which recognises continued improvements in delivering safe drinking water

The latest Drinking Water Report published by the EPA shows that Ireland’s public drinking water supplies remain among the best in the world, with an impressive 99.7% compliance with microbiological and chemical standards. This is a result of the ongoing high levels of investment and improved operational measures being implemented by Uisce Éireann, Ireland's national water authority.

Margaret Attridge, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Water Operations said, “Uisce Éireann operates over 700 water treatment plants across Ireland and we are committed to delivering transformative water services which enable communities to thrive.” 

“The EPA report recognises the ongoing improvements made by Uisce Éireann in testing, monitoring and assessing water supplies and the key role this has played in identifying risks to drinking water quality, and ensuring a safer water supply for all. Where appropriate temporary Boil Water Notices or other restrictions are introduced to protect public health while the problems identified are addressed. Most of the Boil Water Notices imposed in 2023 were in place for less than 30 days. 

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Uisce Éireann also continues to make progress in addressing known risks to water supplies which are on the EPA’s Remedial Action List. In 2023, 10 more supplies were removed from the list following the completion of remedial actions. For those supplies that remain on the list or for those added, Uisce Éireann is progressing plans to address any underlying issues and ensure resilient water supplies for the communities they serve.”

In 2023 Uisce Éireann invested over €530 million in our water treatment plants and networks across the country, with a number of new water treatment plants built or significantly upgraded and an additional 30 sites enhanced under the National Disinfection Programme. 

In 2023 we built or upgraded water treatment infrastructure across the country in Callan and Piltown/Fiddown (Kilkenny), Batterstown (Meath), Aughrim/Annacurra and, Gorey Rural Regional (Wexford) and Mullingar (Westmeath). A key project last year was the completion of a €59 million treated water reservoir at Saggart, Co. Dublin, benefitting homes and businesses in the Greater Dublin Area with a more secure drinking water supply. 

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Margaret Attridge added, “The EPA Drinking Water Report shows that risks to the resilience and security of Ireland’s drinking water supplies continue to be identified and addressed by Uisce Éireann. We have an ambitious capital investment programme, through which we will continue to improve the safety and resilience of Ireland’s drinking water supplies in the years to come.”

“Public health is our top priority; initiatives such as our national disinfection programme, the rollout of the Drinking Water Safety Plan approach, and our enhanced testing and monitoring of treatment plants, have enabled is us to make enormous strides in ensuring more secure and resilient supplies.

“We recognise that challenges remain, and it will take sustained high levels of investment across a number of investment cycles to address all legacy issues, but we are confident that our ambitious capital investment programme will enable us to transform Ireland’s water services and ensure a safe, sustainable, secure and reliable drinking water supply for everyone now and into the future, supporting communities to thrive.”