HSE and EPA Interim Joint Position Paper on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water

Year: 2025

The interim position paper has been developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It provides a summary of the issues in relation to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, including legislation, health impacts and interventions. This interim paper was published in December 2025.

Guidance and Reporting Templates for Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Public and Private Supplies at Source

Year: 2025

This document provides a standardised approach and methodology for conducting and reporting risk assessments and risk management of public and private water supplies at the source. It ensures consistency in evaluations, facilitating regulatory oversight and Ireland’s reporting obligations to the European Commission, as required under the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023. The guidance includes Excel-based reporting templates for risk assessment and risk management, specifically for Public Water Supplies and Group Water Schemes (Annex 5) and Small Private Supplies (Annex 6). These templates are designed for use alongside the guidance and can be downloaded from this page.

HSE and EPA Joint Position Statement on trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in drinking water

Year: 2024

The position paper has been developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It provides a summary of the issues in relation to trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in drinking water including legislation, health impacts and interventions. This revised paper was published in December 2024.

EDEN - MDS Information Note

Year: 2024

The purpose of this guidance document is to provide a basic ‘how-to’ guide for local authorities returning drinking water (private supply) data to the EPA.

EPA and HSE Joint Position Paper on Nitrate & Nitrite in Drinking Water

Year: 2023

This position paper has been developed by the EPA and the HSE. It updates the previous paper published in 2010.

EPA Water Treatment Manual: Filtration

Year: 2020

This manual is a revision of the 1995 EPA Filtration Manual. The updated Filtration Manual has been revised to reflect best practice in drinking water filtration and in the supervisory role of the EPA. It provides practical guidance in plant operation, management, maintenance and supervision as well as an overview of current and emergency filtration technologies.

EPA-HSE Joint Position Paper on Pesticides in Drinking Water

This position paper has been developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)., September 2019

Year: 2019

This position paper has been developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It provides a summary of the issues in relation to pesticides in drinking water including health, legislation and interventions.

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 16

Year: 2016

The purpose of this advice note is to provide guidance on the enforcement of the European Union (Radioactive Substances in Drinking Water) Regulations 2016

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 15: Optimisation of Chemical Coagulant Dosing

Advice Note No. 15: Optimisation of Chemical Coagulant Dosing at Water Treatment Works., June 2014

Year: 2014

The purpose of this Advice Note is to provide guidance to Water Services Authorities (WSAs) on optimisation of Chemical Coagulatn Dosing at Water Treatment Works.

Protecting Drinking Water from Pesticides: Poster

This poster has been prepared by the National Pesticides Working Group which was facilitated by the EPA., May 2014

Year: 2014

This poster has been developed by the National Pesticides Working Group to provide informtion supporting awareness around responsible use of pesticides by professionals and householders.

Protecting Drinking Water from Pesticides: Advice for Gardeners and Household Users

This leaflet has been prepared by the National Pesticides Working Group which was facilitated by the EPA., May 2014

Year: 2014

This leaflet has been developed by the National Pesticides Working Group; to provide information supporting awareness around responsible use of pesticides by gardeners and household users.

Protecting Drinking Water from Pesticides: Advice for Farmers and other Professional Users

This leaflet has been prepared by the National Pesticides Working Group which was facilitated by the EPA., May 2014

Year: 2014

This leaflet has been developed by the National Pesticides Working Group to provide information supporting awareness around responsible use of pesticides by farmers and other professional users.

Protecting Drinking Water from Pesticides: Herbicide Use in Grassland (including MCPA)

This leaflet has been prepared by the National Pesticides Working Group which was facilitated by the EPA., May 2014

Year: 2014

This leaflet has been developed by the National Pesticides Working group to provide information supporting awareness around responsible use of herbicides, including MCPA, by farmers and other professional users

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 14

Advice Note No 14: Borehole Construction and Wellhead Protection, October 2013

Year: 2013

The Advice Note sets out the guidelines on how a water supply borehole should be constructed given the nature of Irish aquifers, and the nature of common potential risks to groundwater quality in Ireland.

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 13

Year: 2013

The purpose of this Advice Note is to provide guidance to Water Services Authorities (WSAs) where pesticides have been detected in drinking water and on the actions that should be taken in such an event.

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 12

Advice Note No. 12: Exempted Drinking Water Supplies, January 2013

Year: 2013

This EPA Drinking Water Advice Note on Exempted Drinking Water Supplies provides binding guidance for Water Services Authorities (WSAs) on exempted supplies in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Regulations.

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 10

Advice Note No. 10: Service Reservoir Inspection, Cleaning and Maintenance., January 2013

Year: 2013

This Advice Note provides guidance to Water Services Authorities for the regular inspection, cleaning and maintenance that should be carried out on service reservoirs. It covers the actions to be taken by operators including practical advice on how inspections and cleaning of reservoirs should be carried out.

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 11

Advice Note No. 11: Prior Investigations and Technical Assessments, January 2013

Year: 2013

This Advice Note provides guidance to Water Servcies Authorities on the steps involved in carrying out a Technical Assessment or Prior Investigation as required under the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations S.I. No. 610 of 2010.

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 9

Advice Note No. 9: Cryptosporidium Sampling and Monitoring, January 2013

Year: 2013

This Advice Note provides guidance to Water Services Authorities on sampling and monitoring for Cryptosporidium. It includes a report on an international review of Cryptosporidium monitoring practices.

EPA Drinking Water Advice Note - Advice Note No. 8

Advice Note No. 8: Developing Drinking Water Safety Plans, January 2013

Year: 2013

This Advice Note provides guidance to Water Services Authorities on the steps involved in constructing a water safety plan and an outline of what it should contain in the Irish context. It contains guidance on hazard identification, risk assessment and the preparation of action plans for the hazards identified.