Ireland adopts national strategy to reduce lead in drinking water

Ireland on Tuesday introduced a national strategy to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.

The strategy was prepared in order to map the scale of the problem and identify measures to mitigate any risks to human health posed by lead in drinking water, said Irish Environment Minister Alan Kelly.

"Based on data emerging from the metering program, we now know that up to 200,000 houses, primarily those constructed before the 1970s, may be at risk of having lead pipes," he said.

"For the first time, there will be a consistent and coherent national response to a legacy problem in relation to lead in drinking water," he added.

The key elements of the strategy mainly include the introduction of an income-based grant scheme to assist lower income house-owners to replace lead plumbing, pipes and fittings. 
  Xinhua - china.org.cn
10/6/15
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• Mr Kelly also said that a grant programme to help those affected by the issue will be announced in this year’s Budget.

Households with an income of €50,000 or under will be entitled to a €4,000 grant and those with an income between €50,000 and €75,000 will be entitled to receive a grant of €2,500. 

This is based on an estimated overall price of €5,000 for remedial and corrective measures, but Mr Kelly accepted that the cost will vary from house to house. 

Replacing lead pipes also qualifies under the Government’s Home Renovation Scheme, which gives tax breaks for improvement work...........irishtimes.com

9/6/15