Ireland's watchdog finds crypto in supply incidents more than doubled since 2016

Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has voiced concern over a rise in the incidence of cryptosporidium detected in public water supplies.

In 2016 there were 12 cases, but this rose to 17 in 2017 and increased to 25 last year. The EPA said this trend posed “a serious risk” to public health.

The watchdog said it was particularly concerned over supplies which have inadequate processes to treat or remove the microscopic parasite and urged state-owned Irish Water to prioritise investment to counter the contamination.

The EPA’s comments came as it reported that the quality of the state’s public water supply remained high with 99.9% compliance with microbiological parameters and 99.6% compliance with chemical parameters