THE Council has been urged to write to Uisce Éireann and the HSE for an update on the high levels of trihalomethanes (THM) in Limerick’s water supply and ongoing issues with taste and discoloured water throughout the city in recent weeks.
Making the proposal at the November meeting of the Metropolitan District, Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan took the view that it would be good for public confidence across the city to get an official update on these issues.
“We had a meeting with Irish Water in March 2024 because at that time it had been reported through the national media that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) had identified that over 100,000 households in Limerick had been exposed to higher levels than permitted under European limits of trihalomethanes, and there was a lot of concern,” Cllr O’Donovan told the Council executive at Metropolitan District meeting.
“Now we were told at the time that everything was being done to reduce the levels of THM and we got assurances that was happening. I think it would be good for public confidence in the water supply to have an update on that as recently there was a significant issue reported across the Metropolitan District in relation to discoloured water,” the Soc Dems councillor added.
Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara (SD) seconded his party colleague’s motion, telling the meeting that the number one issue that people were bringing up with him day to day all related to water quality, water pipes, and water issues.