Persistent Toxins Linger in Public Water Supplies, Reveals Irish Times Report A recent report published by The Irish Times has exposed alarming levels of persistent toxins in public water supplies across Ireland. The investigation analyzed drinking water data from over 1,000 locations and found evidence of chemical compounds that pose serious health risks. Key Findings: * Elevated levels of trihalomethanes (THMs), a group of disinfection byproducts linked to cancer and reproductive problems. * Presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), chemicals used in industrial processes and known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body. * Detection of heavy metals such as lead, copper, and chromium, which can cause neurological damage, kidney disease, and other health issues. Health Concerns: The report highlights the increased risk of cancer and other health problems associated with long-term exposure to these toxins. Infants, children, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to their harmful effects. Inadequate Regulation and Monitoring: The investigation also raises concerns about inadequate regulation and monitoring of drinking water quality in Ireland. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been criticized for its failure to effectively enforce water safety standards. Public Outcry and Government Response: The report has sparked widespread public outrage and put pressure on the government to address the issue. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has pledged to invest in improving water infrastructure and strengthen enforcement of water quality regulations. Recommendations: The Irish Times report recommends several measures to enhance public water safety, including: * Upgrading water treatment plants to remove toxins effectively. * Strengthening independent monitoring of water quality. * Setting stricter water quality standards, aligned with World Health Organization guidelines. * Providing public access to water quality data and raising awareness about potential health risks. Call for Action: The investigation by The Irish Times exposes a serious threat to public health in Ireland. It is imperative that the government and responsible agencies take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that every citizen has access to safe drinking water.Deteriorating Public Water Supplies in IrelandDeteriorating Public Water Supplies in Ireland According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual report on drinking water, the number of individuals served by “at-risk” public water supplies in Ireland has increased to 561,000 in 2023, from 481,000 in 2022. This decline is attributed to persistent levels of toxic trihalomethanes (THMs) and the parasite Cryptosporidium, both of which can cause illness, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. In 2023, one in 20 supplies failed to meet the THM standard, affecting 300,000 people. This issue stems from the chemical, which can arise as a byproduct of disinfection and has been linked to cancer in some studies. Trihalomethanes form when organic matter in drinking water reacts with chlorine. Long-term exposure (over years) to trihalomethanes has been suggested to have a link with cancer, as well as potential reproductive effects. Evidence suggests that trihalomethanes cause cancer in animals, and they are therefore classified as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans. In 2015, the European Commission initiated an infringement procedure against Ireland for non-compliance with the THM rule of the Drinking Water Directive. The Court of Justice of the EU ruled in January that Ireland had not fully implemented the directive on THMs in 30 supplies. Despite the overall high quality of drinking water from public supplies, with over 99.7 percent of samples meeting bacterial and chemical limits, the EPA emphasizes the need for improved resilience and sustained investment in the future. The number of long-term boil water notices doubled to 46 in 2023, and progress in removing lead from supply networks for public health protection is deemed too slow. The EPA’s corrective action list (RAL) identifies “at-risk” supplies requiring improvements by Uisce Éireann to safeguard public health. While 10 supplies were removed from the RAL due to improvement works, nine additional supplies were identified as “at risk.” In conclusion, the EPA highlights the need for robust treatment measures to ensure long-term resilience and safety of water supplies, and significant progress in areas such as disinfection, drinking water safety plans, and public access to lead remediation grants.Toxic chemicals are contaminating the public water supplies of many Irish towns and cities, a report has revealed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, published on Wednesday, found that seven out of 10 Irish water treatment plants are failing to remove harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs) from drinking water. DBPs are formed when chlorine or other disinfectants react with organic matter in water. They have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, reproductive problems, and developmental disorders. The EPA report found that the levels of DBPs in Irish water supplies are often higher than the legal limits set by the European Union. In some cases, the levels are more than 10 times higher than the limit. The report also found that DBPs are more likely to be found in water supplies that are treated with chlorine. This is because chlorine is a more reactive disinfectant than other chemicals, such as chloramine. The EPA is calling on Irish Water to take immediate action to reduce the levels of DBPs in public water supplies. The agency is recommending that water treatment plants switch to using chloramine instead of chlorine. Irish Water has said that it is committed to reducing the levels of DBPs in public water supplies. The company is currently investigating the use of alternative disinfectants, such as chloramine. In the meantime, the EPA is advising people to boil their water before drinking it if they are concerned about the levels of DBPs. Boiling water will remove DBPs from the water.