Water Supply in Ireland

In Ireland, our drinking water usually comes from lakes, rivers and artificial reservoirs, particularly those used for public water supplies. Private sector suppliers and group water schemes tend to rely more on groundwater and spring water. Groundwater and springs contribute to about 16% of the total drinking water supplied nationally, while this rises to 86% in some rural areas.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government developed a National Drinking Water Monitoring Programme in 2004 (see National Drinking Water Monitoring Programme) to ensure that our testing regimes and standards were in line with the European Drinking Water Standards.

Under the drinking water regulations, the Environmental Protection Agency is the supervisory body for public water supplies. Local Authorities, in turn, are the supervisory agencies for group water and private water supplies.

All drinking water undergoes treatment and must adhere to certain regulations. Drinking water regulations set limits for substances found within the water. There are 48 substances of concern, grouped into three categories as follows:

1. Microbiological
2. Chemical
3. Indicator parameters