Seven local authorities have reported excessive lead levels in drinking water to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the past week.
A total of eight public water supplies in Co Clare, Cork city and county, Dublin city, Co Limerick and Co Kilkenny have recorded over 25 micrograms of lead per litre in samples taken on various dates between May and October 1st, the EPA confirmed this evening.
In one case in Cork, the level of lead in the water was more than nine times the maximum limit, and in another the lead level was six times above the limit.
A health warning is already in place in Galway, where four areas in the city have recorded excessive lead levels as a result of Health Service Executive (HSE) tests last August.
Public information notices have been published this week in nine languages in Galway city.
The new lead reports were submitted since September 26th last, when the EPA reminded local authorities of their obligation to inform it and to take necessary steps in the event of excessive lead levels.
The EPA has enjoyed new enforcement powers in relation to drinking water quality since March,2007.
The highest of the “new” results submitted related to the drinking water supply in Ballymakerra, Co Cork, where 232.4 micrograms per litre was recorded on September 25th.
Sixmilebridge in Co Clare recorded 157 micragrams per litre on September 30th.
The Ballymore-Eustace/Leixlip supply run by Dublin City Council recorded 93 micrograms per litre on September 9th, and the Cork city supply recorded 39 micrograms per litre on October 1st.
Other recent reports relate to public supplies in Clough Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny, Hospital and Kilmallock in Co Limerick, and Cavanhill (Dundalk) in Co Louth, with the highest level in this group being 45 micograms per litre.
The EPA’s office of environmental enforcement has advised the local authorities responsible to clarify ownership and composition of the service pipe, provide details on whether a lead survey had been carried out, and give details of short and long term measures to deal with the “exceedances”.
The EPA is also directing the local authorities to provide results of follow-up samples, provide details of advice from the HSE and clarify whether the owners of premises have been given appropriate advice.
It says that its office of environmental enforcement has also been informed of investigations underway in five supplies in Co Louth and three in Co Monaghan.
The EPA says it has power to direct a local authority to “prevent, limit, abate or eliminate” the risk to human health if action is not taken. Failure to comply with a direction is a “prosecutable offence”, it says.
Its direction last month to Galway City Council compels the local authority to provide information to it by October 15th.
Medical tests on the residents of 12 houses in Galway city where high lead levels were detected have proved clear to date.
The maximum lead limit is due to be reduced to 10 micrograms per litre by 2013 across Europe. Lead is known to have a serious impact on health, damaging neurological and reproductive systems during prolonged exposure, and is most harmful to babies and young children with developing brains.