Threat of court action over Irish drinking water quality
Updated / Friday, 15 May 2020 12:42
The complaint relates to the presence of Trihalomethane, which has been found in Irish drinking water schemes and water supply zones
Europe Editor
The European Commission has threatened to take Ireland to court over the quality of Irish drinking water.
The commission said there remains high levels of potentially hazardous substances in the drinking water consumed by around 300,000 people in Ireland.
Brussels said Ireland has not been fully complying with the Drinking Water Directive since 2003.
The complaint relates to the presence of Trihalomethane (THM), a substance which has been found in Irish drinking water schemes and water supply zones.
According to a communication issued by the European Commission, high levels of THM have been linked to liver, kidney and central nervous system diseases, as well as bladder and colon cancer risks.
There are also links between THM and foetal growth, foetal viability and malformations, the communication said.
The commission has issued a so-called "reasoned opinion" on the issue, which is a follow-up to Ireland's initial response to the complaint.
The Government has four months to respond to the reasoned opinion.
"Should Ireland fail to take appropriate action, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union," the communication said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government said the Commission's communication was now being studied.
"This case has been continuing for some time, and Ireland has been making progress on the complaints raised by the Commission.
"The original complaint cited 97 water supply areas (73 public water supply zones and 24 private group water schemes). Investment in, and development of, improved water treatment processes in these supplies has now reduced this number to below the 31 public water supply zones and 13 private Group Water Schemes currently listed in the Commission’s complaint.
"It is welcome that the Commission has decided, having assessed Ireland’s earlier reply, not to pursue claims in relation to informing, advising and notifying consumers," the spokesman said
The department is expected to provide what it called a "comprehensive response" to the Commission, "outlining the further recent progress made and providing an updated programme of works to address any remaining issues."
