Irish Water mulls toxin warning for thousands of customers

Uisce Eireann  (Irish Water) has confirmed it is taking advice on whether it needs to send out letters to thousands of its customers warning their drinking water contains potentially dangerous levels of Trihalomethanes (THMs) that exceed European Union (EU) limits.

THMs are formed by the reaction of naturally occurring dissolved organic material in water resources with chlorine, which is used for disinfection. They can be harmful to humans and the environment.

The need for reassurance from Uisce Éireann has arisen following a recent judgement of the European Court stating that the republic had failed to meet its obligations under an EU directive on safe drinking water at 74 water supplies where THM levels exceeded the EU safe limits.

The number of consumers receiving supplies that exceed EU THM limits has more than doubled to over 235,000 people over the last two years. The majority of affected customers involved are in Limerick City and Co Kildare.