In its latest report, the Water Advisory Body (WAB) has tasked Irish Water with putting in place an action plan for each of the 51 water supplies that remain on the Remedial Action List, as identified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

WAB said it is also concerned with the lack of progress by Irish Water during 2020 to replace lead connections, with little progress made.

Established in June 2018, WAB’s role is to advise the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on measures needed to improve the transparency and accountability of Irish Water. WAB is also required to report on a quarterly basis to an Oireachtas Committee on the performance by Irish Water in the implementation of its Strategic Funding Plan. The report sets out the WAB’s view on how Irish Water is performing against the Plan.

Chairperson of The Water Advisory Body, Paul McGowan, commented:

“Evaluating Irish Water’s performance against key metrics, the WAB has certain concerns including the number of water supplies that remain on the EPA’s Remedial Action List and the lack of progress by Irish Water during 2020 to replace lead connections.

“However, we welcome Irish Water’s improved performance against all four ‘ease of contact’ metrics in 2019 when compared to 2018 and that Irish Water has demonstrated good performance against the complaints resolution metric in 2019”.

Some of the key findings in the report include:

• Remedial Action List (Water) - An action plan to remediate each of the drinking water supplies that are currently included on the EPA’s Remedial Action List is required.
• Lead service connections replaced - WAB is concerned about the lack of progress by Irish Water during 2020 to replace lead connections.
• Boil Water Notices - Over the last seven quarters, the vast majority of those on boil water notices were affected for more than 30 days.
• Ease of Contact - The WAB welcomes Irish Water’s improved performance against all four ‘ease of contact’ metrics in 2019 when compared to 2018. The WAB expects Irish Water to continue to improve its performance.
• Irish Water Customer Complaints Management - Irish Water has demonstrated good performance against the Customer Complaints Management metric although there was a slight drop off in 2019 in Irish Water’sresponse rate to complaints from non-domestic customers for which a final decision is issued within twomonths.
• Urban Wastewater Treatment - The greater Dublin area, served by Ringsend treatment plant, was one of the areas that failed mandatory standards. The Ringsend plant does not have the capacity to effectively treat all the wastewater it receives.

Paul McGowan concluded:

“It continues to be the WAB’s view that the management and improvement of the drinking and waste water infrastructure and network requires significant and sustained action, particularly in the areas of leakages, mains repairs and waste water treatment.”

“Necessary improvements to Ireland’s water and waste water infrastructure will take many years and continued significant capital investment"

Commenting on the publication of Water Advisory Board report, Irish Water General Manager Eamon Gallen said:

“Irish Water is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply, protecting the environment, safeguarding public health in addition to supporting the growth of homes and businesses. We are always striving to prioritise the best possible service improvements, while maximising value-for-money with funding available.

“Progress across a portfolio of projects remains challenging given the impact of Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 in addition to extensive statutory and planning issues. The list of projects and programmes is continuously being refined based on new and emerging needs and is subject to budget, technical and environmental constraints, as well as statutory approval.

“To make the necessary improvements to Ireland’s water and waste water infrastructure will take many years and continued significant capital investment."

Click here to download the report