FRIENDS OF the Irish Environment (FIE) has called for the Environmental Protection Agency to notify consumers when public water supplies breach international standards for cancer-causing chemicals known as trihalomethanes (THMs).
According to figures released to the group under an EU directive on access to information, almost 600,000 consumers are receiving water that exceeds limits set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for these chemicals.
Donegal County Council recently closed one public water supply. Others scheduled for closure because of breaches include Enniskerry, Co Wicklow; Kilkenny; Schull, Co Cork; Mountmellick, Co Laois; and two in Mayo, Kilmain and Kiltimagh.
“Some of these have no dates for closure and yet no public notices have been issued while the water continues to be consumed,” said FIE founder Tony Lowes.
THMs are byproducts of chlorination of water that arise when the water contains organic matter. They were recognised in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2011 report on drinking water quality as an “emerging problem”.
Figures produced by the agency for 2009 show 16 per cent of public water supplies and 31 per cent of group water schemes failed WHO safe limits for THMs.
Although the agency’s handbook for water service authorities “requires public advisory notices when there is a danger to public health”, Mr Lowes said no such notices had been posted.
The agency did not respond yesterday when invited to comment.