THE ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency should test the water supply in all of the State's pre-1970 housing estates, says Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd, after lead contamination was confirmed in 20 different locations in Co Louth.
Lead pipes are believed to be the source of the contamination.
High levels of lead have been confirmed for at four test locations in Drogheda, 10 in Dundalk and two each in Ardee, Clogherhead and Omeath. A total of 25 tests covering 20 locations came back with readings over the level that is considered safe.
One of the readings - 388 microgrammes per litre - was more than 15 times over the EPA-set limit of 25mcg. It is believed this sample was taken at a construction site.
Louth Co Council yesterday began taking water samples from all houses in Dundalk and Drogheda that were built before 1970, when lead piping was commonly used.
Louth Co Council said "most of the test results now under review are in the order of 30-40mcg with a small number greater than that. The limit prior to 2004 was 50mcg/litre." It is understood the highest private household reading was 99mcg.
The findings emerged as part of an EPA-ordered review of previously-taken samples.
The council yesterday said the original test sites were "being revisited while tests are also being taken more widely at each of the locations involved so that a more complete assessment is possible. Some of the tests conducted on Wednesday may have results available late today while others are due after the weekend."
The areas tested include older parts of Drogheda and Dundalk where houses were built at the turn of the century or earlier.
One of the areas tested was Windmill Road in Drogheda.
Yesterday home owners there said the only notification they had about possible contamination came from an information sheet put through their doors by local councillor Michael O'Dowd.
"I am very concerned at this," said one Windmill Road resident, Anne Thornton.
"I don't want to think I was drinking lead. This letter from Cllr O'Dowd is the only thing we have had," said Ms Thornton who has lived in Drogheda for 40 years.
Her husband Francis said, "All the pipes around here are lead and you'd have to dig up gardens and extensions to get at them".
Said Mr O'Dowd: "Regardless of whether test results indicate levels above or under 25mcg, the EU is to reduce the limit to 10mcg. It will require a major investment in water infrastructure in the county to meet this legal requirement. "
Another councillor, Ged Nash called on the HSE "to immediately make provision for free testing and screening of residents who wish to have it. Only on receipt of such test results will residents be satisfactorily reassured that their health and that of their families has not been placed at risk."
The EPA said yesterday that the Co Louth report is the only new report received by the agency this week. Earlier this week, it issued a reminder to all local authorities instructing them to review the quality of their water supplies, and to carry out lead surveys of their water distribution system to determine the extent of lead piping.
Some "99 per cent" of samples taken in 944 public water supplies in the State are compliant with the current lead standard of a maximum of 25 microgrammes per litre, the EPA says.
However, four supplies - in Galway city, Ballintra, Co Donegal, Bruff, Co Limerick and Mallow, Co Limerick - have prompted issuing of public health notices, it said. The EPA's new enforcement powers, requiring local authorities to inform them of excessive levels, came into effect in March 2007.