LIMERICK accounted for almost a quarter of all repairs needed to water supplies across the entire country at the end of 2024.
And the latest Drinking Water Report published by the Environmental Protection (EPA) showed that three water supplies across Limerick remain at risk of contamination.
These water supplies serve 124,170 homes and businesses across the county, including Limerick City (115,087), Foynes/Shannon Estuary (6,986), and Adare (2,097).
That figure represents almost one quarter of the national total on the remedial action list, which at the end of last year included 496,834 homes and businesses nationwide.
Uisce Éireann welcomed the EPA report, claiming it “confirms that Ireland’s public drinking water supplies continue to meet exceptionally high standards, with over 99.8 per cent compliance with microbiological and chemical standards”.
One local Limerick councillor, however, described the findings as “very concerning”.
Councillor for Limerick City East and Green Party environment spokesperson Seán Hartigan believes that Uisce Éireann’s priority seems to be “to take water from the River Shanon to supply Dublin”.
“This will impact Limerick because it will lead to further deterioration in water quality. There needs to be an increased focus on the quality of water in the River Shannon to prevent pesticides going into it, and to prevent animal faeces, which causes cryptosporidiosis (an infection of the bowels).”
Last year, Uisce Éireann invested over €1.3billion in upgrading water and wastewater treatment plants and networks, “enhancing resilience and safety for communities nationwide”.
Dr Patrick O’Sullivan, drinking water compliance senior manager, said that Uisce Éireann operates “over 700 water treatment plants and are committed to delivering transformative water services that enable communities to thrive”.
“The EPA’s report recognises our progress in monitoring, testing, and safeguarding water quality. Where risks are identified, we act swiftly — issuing temporary boil water notices or do not consume notices to protect public health.
“In total, the number of boil water notices issued in 2024 was approximately half that of 2023. Over the course of the year 37 notices were lifted, restoring safe water to 91,929 people. Only five long-term notices remained in place at the end of 2024, and over 72 per cent of boil water notices imposed in 2024 were rectified within 30 days,” Dr O’Sullivan added.
Nationally in 2024, works were completed at 14 supplies on the remedial action list to ensure they met the EPA standards. As a result, there were 45 supplies on the list at the end of 2024, down from 57 in 2023.
