Drinking water is safe, but long-term resilience must improve to protect public health, says EPA
Date released: June 30, 2026
- The quality of drinking water from public supplies continues to be high, with 99.8% of samples compliant with standards.
- The EPA’s list of ‘at-risk’ supplies has decreased from 45 supplies in 2024 to 35 supplies in 2025, serving 467,000 people.
- The number of boil water notices and water restriction notices both increased during 2025, impacting almost 200,000 people.
1st July 2026: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published its Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2025 report, which shows that Ireland’s drinking water continues to meet high standards for over four million people. Compliance with microbiological limits reached 99.8%, while chemical standards were met in 99.7% of samples analysed, which means our public water is safe to drink.
Despite this good level of compliance, the EPA has identified a list of ‘at-risk’ supplies - the Remedial Action List (RAL) - where improvements are required to ensure a safe and secure drinking water supply for consumers. Ten ‘at-risk’ supplies were resolved during 2025, reflecting sustained progress by Uisce Éireann in upgrading their drinking water treatment infrastructure. However, 35 public water supplies still remain on the RAL at the end of 2025 and must be addressed as soon as possible.
Launching the report, Patrick Byrne, EPA Director of the Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said:
“Public drinking water quality remains high, so people can be confident that the water supplied to their homes is safe to drink. While the EPA welcomes the reduction in the number of ‘at-risk’ supplies, EPA audits and enforcement continue to identify supplies which cannot guarantee safe and secure drinking water. Uisce Éireann must allocate necessary resources to complete the required upgrades at ‘at-risk’ supplies to ensure drinking water remains safe and public health is protected into the future.”
Water restrictions must be imposed by Uisce Eireann to protect human health when they cannot provide safe drinking water due to contamination or inadequate treatment. In 2025, 100 supplies affecting almost 200,000 consumers were impacted by boil water notices or water restriction notices, an increase from 84 supplies in 2024. Uisce Éireann must improve treatment plant resilience to respond to changing weather conditions, raw water quality or malfunctions in the treatment process so that water restrictions are not needed in the first place.
Regarding water restrictions on drinking water supplies, Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said:
“It is worrying that almost 200,000 people were affected by water restrictions in 2025. While necessary to protect public health, they are a considerable inconvenience for consumers and point to a lack of resilience in water treatment. Uisce Éireann must make water treatment plants more robust, so they can withstand treatment challenges and continue to provide a safe water supply for consumers. Where restrictions are necessary, Uisce Éireann must respond quickly so that a compliant water supply is restored as soon as possible.”
The EPA’s report also highlights wider challenges across the supply network, including the level of leakage and the replacement of lead pipe work. Thirty six percent of treated water is lost daily through leakage, and people continue to be at risk from exposure to lead in drinking water due to lead in water pipes. More action is needed by Uisce Éireann and other stakeholders to address these issues in the supply network.
The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2025 Report and the complete list of public water supplies currently ‘at risk’ (Remedial Action List) - including details of the 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:
- 99.8% of regulatory samples comply with microbiological parameter limits.
- 99.7% of regulatory samples comply with chemical parameter limits.
- 35 supplies were on the EPA’s ‘at risk’ list (Remedial Action List (RAL)) at the end of 2025, compared to 45 at the end of 2024. The link to the current list is here.
- 66 boil water notices and 34 water restrictions were in place in 2025, affecting approx. 189,000 and 2,000 people respectively.
- 28 of those boil water notices (decreased from 33 in 2024) were in place for more than 30 days, meaning they are classed as long-term notices requiring investment in infrastructure to address.
- E. coli bacteria was detected in 10 supplies through regulatory monitoring.
- Trihalomethanes (THM) limits were exceeded in 24 supplies through regulatory monitoring.
- Pesticides limits were exceeded in 24 supplies across all monitoring undertaken by Uisce Éireann.
The EPA has identified the following key actions for Uisce Éireann to address on a national level to protect and improve public water supplies:
- Complete action programmes within the planned timescales for the 35 remaining supplies on the RAL.
- Improve the resilience of treatment systems, to reduce water quality failures and the need for disruptive boil water notices and water restriction notices on some supplies.
- Replace publicly owned lead connections and complete the implementation of the ortho-phosphate dosing.
- Implement actions to expedite the reduction in levels of leakage.
Supplies on the RAL at the end of 2025
| County | Supply Name | Population | Date Supply put on RAL | Reason/Action Proposed | Completion Date for Action Plan | RAL Category 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clare | West Clare RWS (new WTP) | 9,382 | Q3 2017 | Process optimisation works, carbon trial, and installation of manganese removal process | June 2030 | THM Treatment/Management Issues |
| Clare | West Clare RWS (old WTP) | 3,194 | Q2 2021 | Rationalisation of supply with West Clare (New WTP) when capacity upgrade of New WTP is complete | June 2032 | THM Treatment/Management Issues |
| Cork | Castletownbere | 2,461 | Q4 2021 | Installation of GAC for removal of organics to minimise THM formation | March 2029 | THM |
| Cork | Glashaboy | 25,583 | Q1 2020 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | December 2026 | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Cork | Macroom | 4,697 | Q4 2022 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | June 2026 | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Cork | Newmarket | 10,602 | Q2 2023 | Installation of UV disinfection | December 2027 | Cryptosporidium |
| Cork | Whiddy Island | 43 | Q2 2022 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | September 2026 | Identified by the HSE where further investigation or improvement may be required |
| Cork | Whitegate Regional | 10,291 | Q1 2021 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | December 2026 | Turbidity Treatment/Management Issues |
| Donegal | Milford | 3,827 | Q4 2021 | Upgrade of filtration including GAC | June 2026 | THM |
| Galway | Inisboffin | 185 | Q2 2022 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | Complete awaiting verification of the action programme effectiveness | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Kerry | An Mhin Aird No. 1 | 436 | Q4 2024 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | To be submitted by Uisce Éireann | THM |
| Kerry | Caragh Lake | 1,976 | 2008 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | March 2026 | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Kerry | Listowel Regional Public Water Supply | 15,661 | Q2 2022 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | December 2031 | THM |
| Kerry | Lyreacrompane | 2,460 | Q2 2022 | Develop new groundwater sources and upgrade of water treatment plant | December 2029 | THM |
| Kerry | Mid Kerry/Gearha H 300A | 9,992 | Q4 2023 | Installation of UV | December 2028 | Cryptosporidium |
| Kildare | Barrow Supply (Srowland WTP) 2 | 76,370 | Q2 2022 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | December 2026 | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Kilkenny | South Kilkenny | 6,442 | Q2 2023 | Installation of UV | December 2026 | Cryptosporidium |
| Limerick | Adare | 2,341 | Q2 2024 | Rationalisation of supply | December 2026 | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Limerick | Limerick City Environs | 126,790 | Q2 2022 | Identify and implement optimum solution to minimise THM formation | December 2028 | THM |
| Limerick | Foynes/Shannon Estuary PWS | 7,141 | Q4 2020 | Catchment focused measures being undertaken | To be submitted by Uisce Éireann | Pesticides |
| Longford | Longford Central | 18,474 | Q1 2020 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | December 2030 | THM |
| Louth | Cavanhill | 52,188 | Q4 2023 | Upgrade water treatment plant for manganese removal and THM precursor removal | June 2032 | THM Treatment/Management Issues |
| Louth | Greenmount | 4,197 | Q2 2019 | Upgrade of treatment facilities | September 2028 | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Mayo | Louisburgh | 970 | Q3 2021 | Abandon source and connect to Westport PWS (via Murrisk Group Water Scheme) | November 2028 | Treatment/Management Issues |
| Meath | Drumcondrath | 1,225 | Q3 2015 | Develop new groundwater sources and upgrade water treatment plant | June 2026 |
Cryptosporidium THM |
| Meath | Navan - MidMeath Kilcarn PWS | 12,742 | 2008 | Rationalisation of supply | December 2028 | THM |
| Meath | Trim PWS | 12,059 | Q4 2021 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | December 2026 | THM Treatment/Management Issues |
| Monaghan | Clones | 2,998 | Q4 2023 | Upgrade of water treatment plant and ancillary works at sources | December 2030 | THM |
| Roscommon | North East Regional | 8,759 | Q4 2021 | Action Programme being defined by Uisce Éireann | To be submitted by Uisce Éireann | THM |
| Tipperary | Carrick-on-Suir (Linguan River) | 4,171 | Q4 2023 | Develop new groundwater sources | March 2027 | Cryptosporidium |
| Tipperary | Clonmel Poulavanogue | 2,721 | 2008 | Rationalisation of water treatment plant | December 2026 | Cryptosporidium |
| Tipperary | Galtee Regional | 11,872 | Q3 2019 | Further upgrade of water treatment plant | March 2029 |
Aluminium Turbidity Treatment/Management Issues |
| Tipperary | Kilcash | 214 | Q4 2022 | Rationalisation of supply | June 2028 | Cryptosporidium |
| Tipperary | Templetuohy | 811 | Q4 2022 | Upgrade of water treatment plant | March 2026 | Crytosporidium |
| Waterford | Dungarvan | 13,909 | Q3 2020 | Construction of new water treatment plant | October 2028 | Turbidity |
List of supplies currently on a Boil Water Notice (BWN) or Water Restriction (WRN) as of 1st July 2026.
| County | Supply Name | Notice Type | Date Imposed | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clare | Ennis PWS | Boil Water Notice | 18/02/2026 | 60 |
| Clare | Shannon/Sixmilebridge RWSS | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 19/05/2026 | 3 |
| Clare | Shannon/Sixmilebridge RWSS | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 19/05/2026 | 3 |
| Clare | Shannon/Sixmilebridge RWSS | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 23/03/2026 | 3 |
| Clare | Shannon/Sixmilebridge RWSS | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 23/03/2026 | 3 |
| Clare | Ennis PWS | Targeted Water Restriction | 29/08/2025 | 20 |
| Cork | Skibbereen Ballyhilty | Boil Water Notice | 22/06/2026 | 8121 |
| Cork | Ballyshoneen | Boil Water Notice | 07/05/2026 | 76 |
| Cork | Courtbrack PWS | Boil Water Notice | 28/01/2026 | 208 |
| Cork | Reenmeen West | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 20/01/2026 | 27 |
| Cork | Coolineagh | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 18/12/2025 | 10 |
| Cork | Stagmount | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 13/08/2025 | 6 |
| Cork | Dursey Island | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 08/08/2024 | 20 |
| Cork | Whiddy Island | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Public Side Issue | 19/08/2022 | 40 |
| Donegal | Rosses Regional PUB | Boil Water Notice | 07/04/2026 | 95 |
| Dublin | DLR Zone 6 | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 24/06/2026 | 3 |
| Dublin | DLR Zone 2 | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 13/09/2023 | 4 |
| Dublin | DCC Zone 1 Ballymore | Targeted Water Restriction | 11/02/2026 | 3 |
| Dublin | DCC Zone 6 | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Private Side Issue | 16/12/2024 | 1 |
| Galway | Dunmore/Glenamaddy PWS | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 17/02/2022 | 1 |
| Kildare | Poulaphouca Regional | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Private Side Issue | 24/06/2026 | 3 |
| Kikenny | Kilkenny City (Troyswood) PWS | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 26/07/2024 | 6 |
| Laois | Lough Borehole Supply PWS | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 09/03/2026 | 5 |
| Limerick | Abbeyfeale PWS | Targeted Water Restriction | 30/01/2026 | 3 |
| Limerick | Abbeyfeale PWS | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Private Side Issue | 31/10/2024 | 50 |
| Louth | South Louth & East Meath | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Private Side Issue | 27/11/2023 | 3 |
| Mayo | Foxford PWS | Boil Water Notice | 09/03/2026 | 10 |
| Meath | Athboy | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 24/02/2023 | 5 |
| Meath | Athboy | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 24/02/2023 | 5 |
| Meath | Athboy | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 24/02/2023 | 5 |
| Meath | Baltrasna | Boil Water Notice | 22/12/2014 | 9 |
| Tipperary | Glenary | Boil Water Notice | 23/06/2026 | 11038 |
| Tipperary | Ardfinnan Regional | Boil Water Notice | 07/06/2026 | 11477 |
| Tipperary | Newport RWSS | Boil Water Notice | 20/05/2026 | 8063 |
| Tipperary | Tipperary Town Supply | Boil Water Notice | 12/02/2026 | 5118 |
| Tipperary | Carrick-on-Suir (Crottys Lake) | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 19/12/2024 | 9 |
| Waterford | Scrahan | Boil Water Notice | 10/12/2025 | 25 |
| Waterford | Poulavanogue | Boil Water Notice | 09/07/2025 | 84 |
| Waterford | Carrignagower | Boil Water Notice | 05/01/2025 | 32 |
| Waterford | Kilmacthomas | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Private Side Issue | 01/07/2025 | 100 |
| Waterford | Rathgormack | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Private Side Issue | 05/06/2025 | 100 |
| Waterford | Kilbrien | Water Restriction- Do Not Drink- Private Side Issue | 08/07/2024 | 10 |
| Waterford | Ballydermody | Targeted Water Restriction | 12/12/2013 | 2 |
| Westmeath | Athlone PWS | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 18/06/2026 | 1 |
| Westmeath | Athlone PWS | Water Restriction – Do not Drink – Private Side Issue | 16/04/2026 | 2 |
| Wicklow | Kiltegan Public Supply | Boil Water Notice- property specific | 25/11/2025 | 3 |
| Wicklow | Johnstown South (Arklow) | Boil Water Notice | 04/06/2015 | 6 |
| Wicklow | Laragh Annamore Public Supply | Targeted Water Restriction | 27/03/2026 | 155 |
| Total | 45,036 |