It has been claimed that lead contamination at levels of nearly 15 times the legal limit were found in drinking water in north Dublin.
Irish Water has responded to reports that there was an unsafe level of lead found in drinking water in north Dublin, saying that their treatment plants are “lead-free”.
A report in the Irish Times claimed that since the start of 2017, unsafe levels of lead have been found in drinking water in more than 30 areas.
The report claimed that a test of drinking water near Sutton Dart station, in north Dublin, found lead contamination at levels of nearly 15 times the legal limit.
In response to these claims, a spokesperson for Irish Water told JOE the following:
“Water leaving Irish Water’s treatment plants is lead-free and our records show that there are no lead public water mains in Ireland. However, there are lead service connections (the pipe from the mains to the property boundary) and lead shared backyard services still in the public water network.
“Irish Water is replacing these as part of its €500m Leakage Reduction Programme. As detailed in the Lead Mitigation Plan, we are also looking at the feasibility of adding orthophosphate to water supplies. This is a food grade additive that coats pipes and thereby reduces the risk of lead in drinking water.
“A pilot scheme was introduced in the Clareville Plant in Limerick and we are looking to roll this out to other plants in 2019.”
Irish Water also said that details of the water quality at homes or business can be found on the Irish Water website here.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
