The European Commission has issued Court proceedings against Ireland over water quality
The European Commission has opened an infringement case against Ireland in the EU Court of Justice, about exceedances of the permitted level of the chemical trihalomethanes [THMs] in Irish drinking water.
The proceedings, resulting from a complaint by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), cover not only the failure to meet the World Health Organisation and EU standards in water supplied to over 1 million consumers , but also the failure to comply with the obligation to ‘inform consumers promptly and give the necessary advice.’
THMs are potentially carcinogenic chemicals produced when water with high levels organic matter (the peaty colour) is treated with chlorine.
Prolonged consumption of drinking water with high THM levels has been linked to diseases of the liver, kidneys, bladder, as well as the central nervous system, and with increasing the risk of cancer.
