www.NRDC.org
The EPA released the Drinking Water Quality in Private Group Schemes and Small Private Supplies 2021 report which studied drinking water across rural parts of Ireland and found one in twenty private water supplies were found to have E coli contamination.
In addition, the study also found, twenty-one private group schemes (7%) failed to meet the standard for Trihalomethanes (THMs,) including five schemes that the European Commission has identified as being of particular concern. THMs are formed during the treatment process when there is an excess of organic matter in water source.
Over a quarter of small private supplies, serving food businesses, nursing homes, crèches and B&Bs were not monitored in 2021. The EPA report outlines the actions needed to be taken to address the issues and water suppliers in conjunction with local authorities must ensure that private supplies are registered, and that monitoring is undertaken in line with the regulations.