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The quality of drinking water remains high, but supplies must become more resilient, says EPA.

Date released: July 01, 2025

  • The quality of drinking water from public supplies remains very high, with over 99.8 per cent of samples compliant with standards. 
  • There are 45 supplies serving 497,000 people on the EPA's list of 'at-risk' supplies (Remedial Action List) that need to be addressed by Uisce Eireann. This is down from 57 supplies (serving 561,000 people) in 2023.
  • The were 33 long-term boil water notices in 2024, down one-third from 2023. 
  • Progress to protect public health by removing lead from our supply networks and houses is still far too slow.

2nd July 2025: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2024, released today, shows that over 99.8 per cent of samples from public water supplies comply with bacterial and chemical limits, which means our public water is safe to drink.

However, many supplies still lack robust treatment to guarantee their long-term resilience. The EPA's Remedial Action List identifies 'at-risk' supplies that require improvements to safeguard public health. In 2024 there has been a reduction in the number of people served by supplies on the Remedial Action List - down to almost 497,000 (from 561,000 in 2023). At the end of 2024, there were seven supplies that remained on the RAL for over two years and, while an action programme is currently being defined by Uisce Éireann for these supplies, a completion date has yet to be provided..

The EPA has taken enforcement action in 2024 against Uisce Éireann by issuing 20 legally binding directions for supplies on the Remedial Action List. This is to ensure long-term improvements are carried out in the timeframe proposed. Supplies on the RAL must be addressed as a priority for Uisce Éireann.

Launching the report, Dr Micheál Lehane, EPA Director said:

"Our public water quality remains very high. This means that the public can remain confident that drinking water supplied to their homes is safe to drink. While I welcome the decrease in the number of people served by 'at-risk' supplies, the EPA - through our audit programme - continues to identify supplies that lack adequate resilience. Uisce Éireann needs to implement the findings of Risk Assessments to improve the resilience of supplies and maintain the quality of our drinking water. Long-term sustained investment in water services infrastructure is required to provide this resilience into the future."

Good progress has been made in other areas such as disinfection, and completion of Risk Assessments (Drinking Water Safety Plans) but progress on removing lead from the supply network remains far too slow.

Regarding lead in drinking water, Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said:

"Lead in our drinking water is a cumulative risk to human health and must be removed from our supply network. The risk is greatest for young children, infants and babies in the womb. Despite Ireland having a National Lead Strategy in place since 2015, progress to date has been far too slow. The legal limit for lead in our drinking water will halve in 2036 (from 10ugl to 5ug/l) - so much greater focus is needed by Government Departments and Uisce Éireann to remove lead from the supply network and public buildings. The EPA welcomes the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage commitment to review progress in 2025.

The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2024 Report and the complete list of public water supplies currently on the Remedial Action List - including details of the proposed remedial measures and associated timeframes - are available on the EPA website.

Further information: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24hrs) or media@epa.ie

Notes to Editor

Some key findings of the 2024 report on public water supplies:

  • 99.87% of regulatory samples comply with microbiological parameter limits.
  • 99.76% of regulatory samples comply with chemical parameter limits.
  • 45 supplies were on the EPA’s Remedial Action List (RAL) at the end of 2024, compared to 57 at the end of 2023.
  • 59 boil water notices (from 91 in 2023) were in place in 2024, affecting approx.95,000 (down from 254,000 in 2023).
  • 33 of those boil water notices (decreased from 46 in 2023) were in place for more than 30 days, meaning they are classed as long-term notices requiring investment in infrastructure to address.
  • Boil Water Notices are essential to protect public health when supplies are compromised. However, Uisce Éireann must continue to improve the resilience of plants to reduce the need for Boil Water Notices.
  • 25 water restrictions were in place in 2024, affecting approx.  21,000 people.
  • E. coli bacteria was detected in five supplies through regulatory monitoring.
  • Trihalomethanes (THM) limits were exceeded in 31 supplies, compared to 41 in 2023.
  • Pesticides limits were exceeded in 23 supplies, the same as seen in 2023.

Householders in old dwellings that may have lead piping can avail of a grant to remove it. This Lead Remediation Grant Scheme is now easier for the public to avail of, and the level of financial support has been enhanced. The grant available provides 100% of costs up to €5,000 to replace drinking water lead pipes within the boundaries of a home.

The EPA has identified the following priorities for Uisce Éireann to address on a national level to protect and improve public water supplies:

  • Progress action programmes for all Remedial Action List schemes;
  • Ensure that water is free of bacteria;
  • Ensure that water is free of protozoan organisms;
  • Ensure that water is free of chemical substances (trihalomethanes and pesticides);
  • Ensure that water treatment plants are operated correctly;
  • Eliminate lead from our drinking water networks;
  • Manage risks to our public water supplies by completing the Drinking Water Safety Plans for all supplies.

There are currently 45 supply zones serving a population of almost 497,000. The link to the revised RAL is here. 

The number of supplies on the RAL specifically for Trihalomethanes has reduced from 25 to 19 in 2024. These 19 supplies serve approximately 245,000 people. While this is a welcome improvement, compliance is not where it should be.  Greater effort is needed by Uisce Éireann to implement improvements at supplies to minimise exposure to THM’s, including at major supplies such as Cavanhill (Louth) and Longford Central.

Remedial Action List at the end of 2024

County Supply Population   County Supply Population
Carlow Carlow North Regional 8,550   Limerick Foynes/Shannon Estuary PWS 6,986
Clare West Clare RWS (New WTP) 9,056   Limerick Limerick City Environs 115,087
Clare West Clare RWS (Old WTP) 3,063   Longford Longford Central 17,343
Cork Castletownbere 2,347   Louth Cavanhill 46,859
Cork Glashaboy 23,115   Louth Greenmount 3,836
Cork Macroom 4,194   Louth Tallanstown 2,010
Cork Newmarket 9,733   Mayo Clare Island 160
Cork Whiddy Island 47   Mayo Louisburgh 824
Cork Whitegate Regional 9,504   Meath Drumcondrath 1,168
Donegal Glenties-Ardara 3,459   Meath Navan-Mid Meath Kilcarn PWS 10,400
Donegal Lettermacaward 2,237   Meath Trim PWS 11,201
Donegal Milford 3,714   Monaghan Clones 2,685
Galway Inisboffin 156   Roscommon North East Regional 7,959
Kerry An Mhin Aird No.1 406   Tipperary Carrick-on-Suir (Lingaun River) 3,869
Kerry Cahersiveen 1,500   Tipperary Clonmel Poulavanogue 2,435
Kerry Caragh Lake 1,871   Tipperary Galtee Regional 11,346
Kerry Kilgarvan 656   Tipperary Kilcash 221
Kerry

Listowel Regional Public

Water Supply

 14,905   Tipperary Roscrea 6,125
Kerry Lyreacrompane 2,488   Tipperary Templetuohy 802
Kerry Mid Kerry/Gearha (H) 300A 9,759   Waterford Dungarvan 12,717
Kildare Barrow Supply (Srowland WTP) 81,613   Wexford Enniscorthy 11,450
Kilkenny South Kilkenny 6028   Wexford Wexford Town 20,853
Limerick Adare 2097        

             

List of supplies currently on a Boil Water Notice (BWN) or Water Restriction (WRN) as of 2nd July 2024.

County Supply Name Notification Type Issued Population Affected by Notice
Cork Cullen BWN 27/06/2025 9
Cork Whitegate Regional BWN 18/10/2023 9,011
Cork Dursey Island WRN 08/08/2024 20
Cork Whiddy Island WRN 19/08/2022 40
Donegal Gortahork/Falcarragh WRN 20/03/2025 3
Donegal Gortahork/Falcarragh WRN 29/01/2025 3
Donegal Gortahork/Falcarragh WRN 29/01/2025 3
Dublin  DLR Zone 2 BWN 13/09/2023 4
Dublin DCC Zone 6 WRN 16/12/2024 1
Galway Dunmore/Glenamaddy PWS BWN 17/02/2022 1
Kilkenny Kilkenny City (Troyswood) PWS BWN 26/07/2024 6
Limerick Abbeyfeale PWS WRN 31/10/2024 50
Louth South Louth & East Meath WRN 27/11/2023 3
Meath Athboy BWN 24/02/2023 5
Meath Athboy BWN 24/02/2023 5
Meath Athboy BWN 24/02/2023 5
Meath Baltrasna BWN 22/12/2014 9
Tipperary Carrick-on-Suir (Crotty's Lake) BWN 19/12/2024 9
Tipperary Galtee Regional BWN 09/06/2023 46
Waterford Carrignagower BWN 05/01/2025 32
Waterford Garrahylish BWN 22/12/2021 2
Waterford Rathgormack WRN 05/06/2025 100
Waterford Kilbrien WRN 08/07/2024 10
Waterford Ballydermody WRN 12/12/2013 2
Wicklow Johnstown South (Arklow) Public Supply BWN 04/06/2015 6
Wicklow Ballynavortha Public Supply WRN 08/05/2025 5
Total       9390