LEAD LEVELS IN WATER EXCEED LIMITS IN TOWN AND OMEATH
LOUTH LOCAL AUTHORITIES RECEIVE RESULTS OF TARGETTED PROGRAMME OCTOBER 2008
A water sample from Dundalk is found to have over three times the permitted lead content, while another from Omeath has more than five times the level.
Louth local authorities receive the first results from a targeted programme of water testing which commences to address concerns after increased levels of lead are recorded.
The latest results show that 40 samples taken from 24 different locations in Drogheda show no area exceeding the limit of 25 microgrammes per litre.
In Dundalk, seven of 11 samples display breaches in the limit – the readings ranging from 39.2 to 84.1. As a result, further sampling is carried out at these locations and other locations in town.
Of 35 samples tested so far outside of Drogheda and Dundalk, three exceed the limit.
Two are from the same property in Ardee and the third is in Omeath, where the result is 130.
Occupants of the Omeath property are advised not to use water for drinking pending a resolution of the problem.
Babies and young children are most at risk from excessive levels of lead in drinking water.
International studies link exposure to high levels of lead to developmental problems and even violent behaviour.
Lead most commonly enters the water supply as a result of the wearing away of material used in water mains and plumbing.
People who own their own houses could be in for a shock as the cost the average household would face in carrying out the internal replacement of lead pipes is an estimated €1,000.
‘ The council has no right to be taking risks with our health, and the health of our children and grandchildren,’ says one concerned grandmother, living on St Nicholas Avenue
She accuses Louth county council of being ‘very lax’ in not informing residents of the possibility of high levels of lead in their tap water.
‘I think people deserve to know so that they can take the measures they need to, such as buy bottled water.’
A young mother in St Malachy’s Villas reveals, ‘About six months ago someone from the EPA came and a took a sample of our tap water as it was very cloudy but we never heard anything since.’
Cllr Mark Dearey raises the issue of elevated lead levels in water samples with Environment Minister John Gormley.
‘I highlight the serious concerns people have, especially where excess lead levels have been detected,’ he points out.
‘ The minister gives me an assurance that if the council wishes to divert monies allocated from the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 to do priority lead connection replacement works, the Department would look favourably at such a request.’
Cllr Jim Loughran wants to know if the council had access to data regarding water testing in Louth by the EPA over the past number of years, prior to recent events.
‘If they did, why was the information not acted upon?’