Source: EPA
Private group water schemes that failed testing for THMs in 2020
Drinking Water (Private Group Water Schemes): Trihalomethanes (THMs) Fails (2020)
Drinking Water
Drinking Water (Small Private Supplies) E. coli Fails (2020)
Source: EPA
Small private water supplies that failed testing for E coli in 2020
Drinking Water (Private Group Water Schemes): E. coli Fails (2020)
Source: EPA
Private group water schemes that failed testing for E coli in 2020
EPA Audit Report: Carrick-On-Suir (Lingaun River)
Barndarrig (Wicklow) Public Drinking Water Supply
Drinking Water Audit Report in respect of Audit carried out on 02/03/21 at Barndarrig Public Drinking Water Supply.
Irish Water issued a Do Not Consume Notice to 220 consumers of Barndarrig public water supply on 09/02/21 due to nitrite exceedances in the final water at Barndarrig water treatment plant. The incident was suitably escalated and managed in order to protect public health.
Investigations into the cause of the nitrite contamination have been inconclusive to date. Irish Water and Wicklow County Council should complete the investigations and identify any remedial measures necessary to address potentially polluting activities in the zone of contribution to the borehole source.
Daily samples are taken (Monday to Friday) for analysis of nitrite
To date, the investigation has been inconclusive in determining the cause of the nitrite contamination of the borehole source
Irish Water plans to install a continuous nitrite monitor at Barndarrig water treatment plant to provide real time data and to serve as a warning system if nitrite levels rise again
During the audit, neither Irish Water or Wicklow County Council could rule out the possible impact of recent slurry spreading in the area or leakage from the sewer network in the vicinity
EPS Ireland representatives confirmed there is 36 to 48 hours storage of treated water in the reservoir at Barndarrig water treatment plant. This will allow the plant to be shut down temporarily if nitrite levels exceed a critical level, when the continuous nitrite monitor is in place at the plant
Ennis Public Drinking Water Supply
Drinking Water Audit Report in respect of audit carried out on 15/06/21 at Ennis Public Drinking Water Supply
The Ennis WTP serves a population of approximately 27,945 and produces 12,097m3/day. The Ennis WTP is operated on behalf of Irish Water by EPS Group under a Design Build Operate (DBO) contract. The plant operates 24 hours/day within its design capacity of 750m3/hr.
The Ennis PWS is supplied by the Drumcliff spring source which is located in a below ground concrete chamber approximately 4m to 5m deep, <1km from the plant. According to EPS, the raw water quality is generally consistent but is influenced by surface water following heavy rainfall. The abstraction rate on the day of the audit was 486.6m3/hr.
Disinfection of the Ennis public water supply is by chlorination using 14% sodium hypochlorite. Duty and standby chlorine dosing pumps are in place with automatic switchover in the event of pump failure.
Irish Water should consult with the HSE in relation to the plants inability to verify the Cryptosporidium barrier
Irish Water should review and implement turbidity alarms and shutdowns on the microfiltration unit to ensure that the plant operates in accordance with the EPA’s Water Treatment Manual: Filtration.
Irish Water should review the chlorine alarm settings to ensure that an alarm is triggered in the event of water being inadequately disinfected
Srowland Water Treatment Plant Audit
Drinking Water Audit Report in respect of audit carried out on 12/10/21 at Barrow Public Water Supply – Srowland Water Treatment Plant
Plant is managed by Veolia, operating under DBO contract to Irish Water
Raw water is abstracted from the River Barrow and stored in two raw water storage reservoirs which have up to 3 days storage (120,000 m3 capacity).
THM monitoring programme since June 2021 show elevated levels of THMs in the distribution network which are very close to the 100 ug/l parametric value
Irish Water’s investigations into drinking water quality exceedances in the Barrow supply and Barrow Poulaphouca Blend supply during 2021 found inadequate residual chlorine levels at several locations in the distribution networks, with some results being persistently low.
UV alarms needed
With the exception of UV treatment, there are suitable plant shutdowns in place to prevent the entry of
inadequately treated water entering the distribution network
Cork Harbour and City (Inniscarra) Water Treatment Plant Report
EPA
Operated by Cork Co. Co. (acting under service level agreement to Irish Water)
There is no high level chlorine alarm in operation at the WTP and there is no low level alarm on the outlet from the reservoir which is the contact time validation point.
The Inniscarra WTP has not undergone the Irish Water Disinfection Programme upgrades to date. The date for the commencement of works at Inniscarra WTP could not be confirmed at the audit. It was outlined by Irish Water that the options for the replacement of chlorine gas are under assessment.
Supernatant from the Inniscarra WTP is discharged to the River Lee downstream of the Inniscarra Dam.
Macroom Public Drinking Water Supply Audit
EPA Report
Operated by Cork County Council, acting under service level agreement to Irish Water
Significant shortcomings in the operation and management of this plant
Glashaboy Water Treatment Plant (Irish Water)
EPA Report
Operated by Cork County Council (acting under service level agreement to Irish Water)
Note: Sludge is being discharged from the Glashaboy water treatment plant (WTP) to the river. Irish Water should review the current methods of handling and disposal of water treatment sludge to ensure that the practice is not in contravention of the Waste Management Act 1996-2011. The discharge of water treatment sludge to the receiving water, where practiced, should cease immediately.
Q: what happens when plant operators ignore EPA and keep discharging sludge to local river ?
is there a system of fines ?
or can EPA compel Irish Water to take specific action, up to or including to shut down a plant ?