Bray, Greystones and Enniskerry are among 10 water supplies in County Wicklow with elevated THM levels above the standard in drinking water regulations.
THMs or trihalomethanes are chemicals formed by the reaction of naturally occurring dissolved organic material and chlorine which is used for disinfection in order to protect against pathogenic bacteria.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in County Wicklow over 109,000 people are using water supplies where there are elevated level of THMs.
Other locations around the county include Roundwood, Wicklow Regional, Kilcoole, Newtown, Newcastle, Windgates, Aughrim and Annacurra. Irish Water said that they will invest €200 million to upgrade the Vartry water treatment plant.
Planning permission has been submitted to Wicklow County Council seeking permission for a new water treatment plant on the site of the existing plant at Vartry. Work is expected to start in 2017 and will take three years to complete.
The new treatment plant, along with other planned upgrades to the existing site, will secure the water supply for the long-term and ensure the scheme continues to meet standards. Arklow, Avoca, Ballinclash and Kilmacanoge water supplies are also on the EPA’s remedial action list with action to be taken by Irish Water.
Source: fliuch.org, Aug 13, 2016
Buncrana Together: The above article lists other areas in Ireland affected but it does not include several areas in Donegal. See our article "The Emerald Isles' Pure Clear Waters are Swimming in Carcinogenic Trihalomethanes". It states
"You can download full EPA Drinking Water Remedial Action List Q4 of 2015. In this you will see Donegal areas highlighted for THM failure (Trihalomethanes), areas include Gashard, Fintown, Greencastle, Pettigo, Portnoo, Rathmullen. Also mentioned for Donegal are areas lacking in Cryptosporidium barriers; Glenties, Kilcar, Cresslough and Letterkenny."