The quality of drinking water from private supplies continues to fall below standard including in Donegal.
The EPA has published its 2025 report into community schemes, from which around 200 thousand people get their water – along with 1,600 small private supplies for public and commercial use.
14 community schemes failed the test for E.coli last year which includes the Tory Island private group schemes, however, the overall figure is down from 24 the previous year.
Townawilly in Donegal also recorded a failure in Trihalomethanes compliance, which is a substance that can form when a natural material reacts with chlorine making it an issue for schemes with surface water sources.
Registration of Group Water Schemes is also an issue for the EPA with less than 40 Small Private Supplies registered with Donegal County Council.
EPA Programme Manager, Noel Byrne says they’re concerned that the registration of private supplies for the likes of schools, hotels and nursing homes is still not mandatory:
You can view the full report here.
