9 January 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREENS CALL FOR LICENSING SYSTEM FOR GROUP WATER SCHEMES AS WATER SCHEMES FAIL TESTS

The Green Party has called for greater regulation of water supply schemes in the light of a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency  stating  that many Group Water Schemes are contaminated.

“The levels of faecal contamination of Group Water Schemes is disturbing”, stated the Green Party’s Environment Spokesperson,  Ciarán Cuffe,  this afternoon. “We are calling for a licensing system to be brought forward to ensure a level of quality control over these schemes.”

“Improvements such as greater reservoir protection from farm animals and septic tank leachate are required. We must also improve monitoring and make the results available to the general public.”

“The levels of aluminium in some municipal drinking water supplies is also a cause for concern, and demands higher technical standards in water purification.”

ENDS