Concern as just one Airbnb property in Leitrim complies with water quality laws

Airbnbs in Leitrim are being warned they could be in breach of the law on water quality checks. 

The Environmental ­Protection Agency (EPA) is appealing to them - and Airbnbs across the country at large - to make themselves known to their local authority so their water supplies can be inspected. 

The law requires registration of all premises where the drinking water comes from private wells and is used for public or commercial purposes. 

Many schools, nursing homes, creches, pubs and sports clubs, particularly in rural areas, fall into that category and information campaigns have largely ­focused on these kinds of premises. 

However, so do thousands of properties let through Airbnb and other holiday accommodation sites, as well as long-term lettings. 

According to a new EPA report, just 1,655 commercial properties are registered nationwide, with just one property registered in Leitrim. 

Half of the other counties in Ireland have 40 or fewer registered, including Limerick, Donegal, Westmeath, Offaly, Mayo, Clare, Waterford, Longford, Monaghan, Roscommon, Louth, and Sligo. 

Approximately 500 Airbnb properties are currently available to rent in Leitrim. 

An EPA spokesperson said, "As Airbnb or holiday rentals are commercial activities, then this is considered a regulated drinking-water supply and as such should be registered with the local authority and monitored annually." 

According to the law, registered supplies must be inspected by the city or county council for contamination, which latest EPA data shows is a persistent problem in the private supplies that are known about. 

Thousands of people using the supplies were reportedly exposed to E coli bacteria and THM chemicals in 2023 and put at risk of serious illness. 

The EPA fears the problems could be more widespread but it is impossible to know without inspections. 

According to the EPA, ­local authorities are responsible for compiling registers, but this can be difficult if property owners do not make themselves known. 

The EPA spokesperson concluded, "“Current drinking-water regulations do not require private suppliers to register, which is an obvious gap, and this requires legislative change to be initiated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage."