Unleading Water: Community Science and Environmental Justice for Healthy Irish Homes

What is it about?

Lead in domestic drinking water is a major health hazard, especially for young children. It has serious effects on the development of children’s brains, leading to long term problems with learning, behaviour and attention. There is no safe level of exposure to lead.

According to the EPA there are an estimated 180,000 lead pipe connections under Irish Water’s control: “It will take 24 years to address the risks posed to public health from lead in drinking water at the replacement rate observed in 2021, which is a significant overrun of Irish Water’s original plan for completion in 2026.”

More data is needed. It is unknown how many homes and public buildings (such as schools) still contain lead pipes, particularly in rural areas and those under private water schemes.

Targeted interventions are needed. Even though there is a residential lead pipe replacement program, public awareness is limited (for example among renters) as is public trust in Irish Water (especially after the Gorey and Ballymore Eustace water treatment plants incidents).

Policy changes are needed. Slow residential lead pipe replacement is also due to the lack of compulsory point-of-sale or rental lead inspections (such as in France).