Uranium found in water supply

November 2002

THE discovery of uranium in a west Wicklow water supply has sparked safety concerns for water all over the country.

Random EPA tests on the well at Lathaleere, Baltinglass, which supplies 20 per cent of the town’s water, have shown the presence of the metal in the water at 70 times the safe levels as set by the World Health Organisation.

Wicklow County Council has shut down the Lathaleere well. Senior Executive Office, Thomas Murphy, said the council was recently notified b y the EPA of the presence of ‘uranium 238’ in water from the well that ‘pending further investigation, are a source of concern in the context of WHO guidelines.’

The EPA has recommended as a precautionary measure that the council undertake a survey of both public and private water supplies in the county to determine uranium levels.

They say it would appear that localised geological conditions might be resulting in uranium levels in drinking water in excess of WHO guidelines.

Baltinglass based TD, Billy Timmins, said he was deeply disturbed by the findings.

‘It is very worrying. We do not know what the consequences of this may be or if the uranium has always been there or if it is new.’