County’s water deteriorates slightly

THE quality of the county’s drinking water deteriorated slightly between 2008 and 2009, while the city’s water remains unchanged for the time period, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency. Drinking water in the city and county has been tested under EU regulations, for health indicators.
The EPA report shows that drinking water in Limerick achieved 99.3% and 99.7% compliance with microbiological and chemical parameters respectively in 2009,

compared with 99.7% and 99.9% compliance in 2008.
However, in the city readings of 100% and 99.7% compliance in 2008, remained the same in 2009.
Commenting on the report, Programme Manager at the EPA, Gerard O’Leary, said:
“The EPA targeted a reduction in the detection E.coli drinking water in recent years, and today we are seeing the success of this programme, with a 50 per cent reduction in two years.
“Despite this, investment needs to be maintained to bring detection levels in line with other EU countries”.
The report was the third carried out by the EPA, since new regulations were introduced in 2007, providing a greater level of consumer protection.