Uisce Éireann insists water in affected areas is still "safe to drink".
Uisce Éireann says it's working with both the EPA and the HSE regarding communication with customers whose water supply may have excessive levels of a toxin linked to cancer.
25 supplies in the country currently have excessive levels of THMs - one of these is the Clara Ferbane site, which serves over seven thousand people.
As a result, Uisce Éireann has committed to upgrading the treatment plant, with a completion date of June this year.
Senior Inspector with the EPA, Patrick Chan, says risks typically only come with long-term exposure:
In a statement to Midlands 103, Uisce Éireann says its enhanced testing and monitoring programme across its 700-plus public water supplies has enabled the utility to identify 25 schemes on the Remedial Action list for THMs:
"In all these cases we are taking concerted action to address these risks through a combination of plant upgrades and enhanced operational controls.
It is important to reassure customers on these remaining schemes that water is safe to drink. THMs are chemicals which are formed by the reaction of naturally occurring dissolved organic material in the water and chlorine, which is used for disinfection purposes. Chlorination is an essential step in the production process to ensure harmful bacteria are eliminated from your drinking water. The clear advice from the HSE in relation to THMs and drinking water is that the "benefits of using chlorine to treat our drinking water are much greater than any possible health risk from THMs". This is also the position of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which states that “...adequate disinfection should never be compromised to control THMs".
When our monitoring programmes detect THM levels above the allowable limit (100µg/L), Uisce Éireann notifies the Environmental Protection Agency and consults with the Health Service Executive (HSE). To date, a Do Not Drink notice has not been imposed on any public water supply due to THM exceedances"
Gardaí Begin Murder Investigation After Child And Woman Dies In Offaly House Fire
Ashling Murphy Murder "Wrongly Accused" Granted Bail Over Theft Charge
Young Boy And Woman Killed In Offaly House Fire
Laois Makeup Artist Warns Of Expired Suncream Dangers
Lynx and Wolves In Ireland Pose Minimal Threat - Offaly Biodiversity
€4.5m Going To Midlands Suckler Farmers
Westmeath Writer Nominated Posthumously For Award
Seven Midlands Hotels Nominated For Gold Medal Hotel Awards
Cabinet Approves Major Expansion Of Midlands Garda HQ And Prison
Memorial Day Honouring Ashling Murphy Takes Place In Offaly
Midlands Town Left Shocked After Death Of Young Woman
Concerns Highlighted On Drones Spotted Ahead Of Zelenskyy Visit
€6m Westmeath Lotto Jackpot Winner Comes Forward
Israel’s Participation Sparks Eurovision Withdrawals From Ireland And Others
Teachers Union Calls For More Permanent Posts Amid Recruitment Challenges
Offaly Garda To Receive Bronze Medal And Bravery Award
Laois TD Questions Effectiveness Of Utilities Commission In Regulating Uisce Éireann
€6m Lotto Jackpot Ticket Sold In Mullingar
Grinch Themed Late Late Toy Show Lights Up the Midlands
Strong Friday Winds Forecast