Uisce Éireann, the water utility in Ireland, has confirmed that there have been no public health warnings issued warning against consuming drinking water due to increased toxic trihalomethane (THMs) levels. Nevertheless, the utility is committed to distributing explanatory booklets with updated guidance to about 297,000 consumers, benefitting from 25 water supplies across 15 counties where ongoing high amounts of this hazardous chemical are being detected.
A ruling from the European Court of Justice in January against Ireland sparked this action, pinpointing the breach in complying with the parametric value set for THMs as a potential human health risk. Complaints to the European Commission by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) led to this long-drawn case.
Latest data reveals nearly 240,000 people across Ireland are consuming water with high toxin levels. THMs, potentially causing cancer – particularly bladder cancer – with prolonged exposure and other health issues, can occur as a byproduct of chlorination at treatment plants where substantial levels of organic matter are present. It’s also considered a risk to the environment.
Uisce Éireann, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are yet to reach an agreement on the updated guidance to be sent to households, a spokesperson for the utility revealed. They added that the HSE’s present advice on THMs and drinking water asserts that the advantages of using chlorine to treat our drinking water considerably outweigh any potential health risk from THMs.
It mirrors the stance of the World Health Organisation, stating, “adequate disinfection should never be compromised to control THMs”. If THM levels surpass the allowable limit (100 micrograms per litre), Uisce Éireann informs the EPA and liaises with the HSE. To date, no ‘do not drink’ notice due to THM excesses have been placed on any public water supply.
Legal proceedings were launched by FIE in February requiring the EPA to inform all affected consumers about the potential health risk from THMs and its origin, and detail the violation of a parametric value and the remedial actions taken, including prohibition or restriction on use as well as other measures.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being urged to supply consumers with guidance, and to routinely refresh this advice, on water usage and consumption conditions. This advice should take into consideration those populations with heightened health risks in relation to water.
The EPA reiterated on Friday that it has continually prioritised the enforcement of THMs in drinking water regulations, highlighting affected supplies and calling for immediate remedial actions. Enforcement endeavours cover data reporting, a remedial action list, and liaison with Uisce Éireann.
However, the EPA’s efforts have been dismissed by FIE spokesman, Tony Lowes, who recently stated that he believes the EPA has come up short in meeting EU drinking water directive prerequisites. He further emphasized that it is premature to discard their legal threats. Also voicing his concerns, Lowes highlighted how the long-term impacts, previously recognised since 2012, have vanished entirely. He suggested that those who have been subjected to high THM concentrations from 2011 onwards may need to be tested for bladder cancer.
Uisce Éireann has been actively working alongside the HSE and EPA to enhance communication with clients about public water supplies listed in the Remedial Action List (RAL) due to exceeded THM levels according to EU drinking water standards.
The majority of the public water systems that the court identified have been addressed, with only five from the original 74 still remaining, according to a spokesman. Actions are being taken at each of these five locations to rectify the issues with facility improvements or overhauls of existing treatment plants.
Of the 25 supplies identified with THM issues, the most significant is Limerick, serving 115,000 people. Other major supplies affected include Listowel in Co Kerry, supplying 14,900 people, parts of Kilkenny city serving 14,000 people, and Thurles and Nenagh in Co Tipperary, each supplying 14,000 people.