Two serious incidents in recent weeks at Irish drinking water plants have been described as “concerning and unacceptable”.
Illnesses were detected by the HSE in a community in Wexford after “unsafe water” entered its public drinking supply last month, the government has said.
A statement published on Friday (17 September) said that Local Government Minister Darragh O’Brien received a letter this week from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding “two serious incidents” in recent weeks that occurred in drinking water plants serving parts of Dublin city (served by the Ballymore Eustace water treatment plant) and Gorey in Wexford.
“This included, in the case of Gorey, illnesses detected by the HSE in the community served by that water supply,” the statement reads.
“In their letter, the EPA stated that an abject failure in management oversight, operational control and responsiveness at two public drinking water treatment plants had allowed unsafe water to enter into the public drinking water supply and endanger public health.”
The government said the incidents have since been rectified and the water supply from the two plants is now safe to drink.
In a statement to JOE, Irish Water said that working in partnership with Wexford County Council, it has investigated an issue with the treatment process that occurred at the Gorey plant between 19 – 24 August and can confirm that it has since been resolved.
“Irish Water was made aware that there had been an issue with the treatment process at the Creagh water treatment plant on the 26 August and immediately notified the EPA. The HSE was also consulted on this date,” Irish Water said.
“Following consultation with the HSE, they advised that a Boil Water Notice on the supply was not necessary at this point as the incident had passed and the plant was operating correctly. There have been no issues at the Water Treatment Plant since 24 August.
“Irish Water issued communications to customers and stakeholders via elected representatives and on the Irish Water website as soon as a number of reports of illness in the community were received.
“Irish Water has been working with the EPA and Wexford County Council to investigate the incident. Irish Water is also reviewing the disinfection and filtration process at the plant and continue to liaise with the EPA, and our partners in Wexford County Council, to ensure there is no repeat of the issue, with a programme of works now in place.
“Irish Water and Wexford County Council are reviewing their processes and would like to apologise to customers for the delay in communicating the incident and would like to assure the public all steps are being taken to avoid any reoccurrence.”
The HSE is investigating a public health outbreak in the Gorey area, the EPA said in a statement.
“To date, there has been 52 confirmed cases of illness associated with this outbreak, including VTEC, with a number of associated hospitalisations,” it stated.
EPA investigations at two drinking water treatment plants revealed abject failure of managerial oversight, operational control & responsiveness by @IrishWater & local authorities in terms of their respective roles to deliver safe and secure drinking water https://t.co/UOanVhW4gx pic.twitter.com/LHCz4tql4f
— EPA Ireland (@EPAIreland) September 17, 2021
Meanwhile, on 20 August, the coagulation dosing system in the Ballymore Eustace water treatment plant partially failed.
“The resultant incident was not initially reported to Irish Water but came to light on investigation of consequential issues at the sludge facility, twelve days after it occurred,” Irish Water said.
Irish Water said it immediately consulted with the HSE but as the incident had passed, immediate public notification was not required. Irish Water also states it formally notified the EPA of the incident.
Commenting on the incidents, O’Brien said he found the failures identified by the EPA “concerning and unacceptable,” adding that “peoples’ safety is paramount”.
He said his department has received reports from Irish Water and the EPA and that he has now also asked the two local authorities for an immediate report on the incidents.
“Irish Water and local authorities must ensure that all processes and procedures in place in relation to the proper management of our water treatment plants are followed to ensure effective communication, cooperation and joint response to any incidents. I have requested that Irish Water audit its water treatment plant operational arrangements as a matter of urgency and that each local authority provide Irish Water with open and uninhibited access to water treatment plants.”
The statement from Irish Water reads: “Irish Water works in partnership with Local Authorities across the country to deliver safe drinking water to the public and return wastewater safely to the environment.”
Irish Water’s General Manager Eamon Gallen said the company’s priority is to protect public health.
“In both these incidents, Irish Water and our partners in the Local Authorities fell short of the standards we set ourselves. We operate a service level agreement where both Irish Water and our partners in the Local Authorities are required to follow all guidelines to ensure drinking water incidents are immediately reported to the EPA and HSE. In both instances, late notification to Irish Water of issues relating to the disinfection process at the plants, potentially put public health at risk,” Gallen stated.
“Irish Water has engaged again with all Local Authorities on the need to report incidents to allow for timely risk assessments to protect public health. In Gorey and Ballymore Eustace, working with the Local Authorities, additional measures have been put in place to ensure public water supplies are safe to drink.”
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