The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland A Report for the Year 2003 with a Review of the Period 2001-2003 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford, Ireland Telephone: +353-53-60600; Fax: +353-53-60699 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.epa.ie Lo Call: 1890 335599 The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland A Report for the Year 2003 Environmental Protection Agency 2004 All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission, provided the source is acknowledged. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the author(s) accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this publication. The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland A Report for the Year 2003 with a Review of the Period 2001-2003 Authors: Mr. Darragh Page, Mr. Jim Moriarty, Ms. Yvonne Doris and Dr. Matt Crowe ISBN 1- 84095 - 143 - 5 11/04/750 Price: €26 ii The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland A Report for the Year 2003 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. VIII 1. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................1 1.1. THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (QUALITY OF WATER INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION) REGULATIONS 1988 ..........................................................................................1 1.2. THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (DRINKING WATER) REGULATIONS, 2000.......3 2. PARAMETER BY PARAMETER ANALYSIS OF DRINKING WATER.............................6 2.1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................6 2.2. ALUMINIUM .......................................................................................................................7 2.3. AMMONIUM......................................................................................................................10 2.4. TOTAL & FAECAL COLIFORMS....................................................................................11 2.5. COLOUR.............................................................................................................................17 2.6. FLUORIDE .........................................................................................................................18 2.7. HEAVY METALS ..............................................................................................................20 2.8. IRON ...................................................................................................................................21 2.9. MANGANESE ....................................................................................................................23 2.10. NITRATES..........................................................................................................................24 2.11. NITRITE..............................................................................................................................28 2.12. ODOUR...............................................................................................................................29 2.13. TASTE.................................................................................................................................30 2.14. PH ........................................................................................................................................31 2.15. TRIHALOMETHANES......................................................................................................33 2.16. TURBIDITY........................................................................................................................34 2.17. CRYPTOSPORIDIUM .......................................................................................................35 2.18. THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (DRINKING WATER) REGULATIONS, 2000.....36 2.19. PARAMETERS WITH REVISED STANDARDS IN THE 2000 REGULATIONS .........40 3. SANITARY AUTHORITY RESULTS .....................................................................................44 3.1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ...............................................................................44 3.2. CARLOW............................................................................................................................46 3.3. CAVAN...............................................................................................................................47 3.4. CLARE................................................................................................................................48 iii The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland A Report for the Year 2003 3.5. CLONMEL..........................................................................................................................49 3.6. CORK CITY........................................................................................................................50 3.7. CORK (NORTHERN AREA).............................................................................................51 3.8. CORK (SOUTH AREA) .....................................................................................................52 3.9. CORK (WEST AREA)........................................................................................................53 3.10. DONEGAL..........................................................................................................................54 3.11. DROGHEDA.......................................................................................................................55 3.12. DUBLIN CITY....................................................................................................................56 3.13. DUNDALK .........................................................................................................................57 3.14. DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN....................................................................................58 3.15. ENNIS .................................................................................................................................59 3.16. FINGAL ..............................................................................................................................60 3.17. GALWAY CITY .................................................................................................................61 3.18. GALWAY (COUNTY) .......................................................................................................62 3.19. KERRY................................................................................................................................63 3.20. KILDARE............................................................................................................................64 3.21. KILKENNY ........................................................................................................................65 3.22. LAOIS .................................................................................................................................66 3.23. LEITRIM.............................................................................................................................67 3.24. LIMERICK (COUNTY)......................................................................................................68 3.25. LIMERICK CITY................................................................................................................69 3.26. LONGFORD .......................................................................................................................70 3.27. LOUTH................................................................................................................................71 3.28. MAYO.................................................................................................................................72 3.29. MEATH...............................................................................................................................73 3.30. MONAGHAN .....................................................................................................................74 3.31. NORTH TIPPERARY.........................................................................................................75 3.32. OFFALY..............................................................................................................................76 3.33. ROSCOMMON...................................................................................................................77 3.34. SLIGO TOWN ....................................................................................................................78 iv The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland A Report for the Year 2003 3.35. SLIGO COUNTY................................................................................................................79 3.36. SOUTH DUBLIN................................................................................................................80 3.37. SOUTH TIPPERARY .........................................................................................................81