Ireland’s water quality is assessed based on various parameters, including chemical composition, biological health, and physical characteristics. This comprehensive assessment is conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and provides insights into the condition of rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal waters. Uisce Éireann works hard to test water bodies to meet the standards set by the EPA.
We have multiple laboratories across Ireland, which are mentioned by province in the next section, to help you test your water. Compliance with the standard regulations is measured with 100% compliance being the goal for each category. The parameters assessed in our water test are discussed below.
Bacteria: Clostridium perfringens, E.coli, Enterococci.
Chemicals: 1,2-dichloroethane, Acrylamide, Ammonium, Benzene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Bromate, Chloride, Cyanide, Epichlorohydrin, Fluoride, Individual Pesticides, Nitrate, Nitrite, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Sulphate, Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene, Total Pesticides, Trihalomethanes (THMs), Vinyl chloride.
Heavy Metals: Aluminium, Antimony, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, Sodium.
Other: Colour, Conductivity, Free Residual Chlorine, pH, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Residual Chlorine, Turbidity.
Visit our base for Leinster located in Kildare for your water testing needs at Unit C3, M4 Business Park, Celbridge, Kildare, IE.
Carlow
In Carlow, water testing results over the past five years showcase consistently high standards in all categories, with over 98%. By 2023, all categories reached an 100% compliance rate.
Dublin
In Dublin, water quality stayed consistently high in the categories of bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals, with over 98% compliance in years 2019–2022. Fluctuations in the other categories were seen prior to 2023. However, improvements were made, with a dramatic increase in compliance by 2023. Dublin’s water quality in the city centre reached 100% across all categories.
Can you drink tap water in Dublin? Yes, Dublin’s mains-supplied tap water meets drinking water standards. Whole-county results can’t be shown in a single figure, but you can check results for your exact location on the Uisce Éireann website. Data in the graph is based on Dublin city centre locations (D1).
Kildare
The data indicates that while water testing scores in various categories for Kildare are consistently high, they occasionally fall below the perfect 100% mark. These results underscore the complexity and dynamic nature of water quality assessment. Factors such as natural variations, environmental influences, and specific challenges can contribute to minor fluctuations in the success rates of bacteria detection, chemical analysis, heavy metal identification, and other parameters. Despite occasional scores below 100%, the overall commitment to maintaining robust water quality standards remains evident in Kildare’s move towards 100% compliance.
Kilkenny
In Kilkenny, the water testing data over the past five years consistently reflects a commendable commitment to maintaining high standards. Notably, bacteria detection and heavy metal identification have consistently achieved a perfect 100% score, showcasing the rigorous accuracy of these assessments. While chemicals and other parameters may exhibit slight variations, the dedication to excellence remains evident with consistently strong scores exceeding 97%. This steadfast performance underscores Kilkenny’s ongoing efforts to ensure water safety and quality for its residents.
Laois
In Laois, the water testing data spanning the last five years demonstrates a consistent pursuit of elevated standards. While there are occasional minor variations, parameters like chemicals and heavy metals consistently exhibit a flawless 100% score, showcasing unwavering precision. Notably, bacteria detection, although experiencing slight fluctuations, maintains a strong overall performance. These results underscore Laois’s dedication to ensuring water safety, with the commitment to excellence evident through persistent high scores, even in the face of occasional fluctuations. This steadfast commitment reinforces the community’s efforts to uphold water quality standards for the well-being of its residents achieving 100% in 2023.
Louth
In Louth, the water testing data from the last five years showed bacteria detection and heavy metal identification exhibiting high performance over the years, there was a slight decrease in scores in 2023. However, this minor fluctuation is set against the backdrop of consistently strong results in previous years. Chemical assessments have remained consistently high, with scores consistently exceeding 98%.
Longford
In Longford, the water testing data from the last five years showcases a notable commitment to maintaining and enhancing water quality standards. Notably, bacteria detection has consistently achieved a perfect 100% score, reflecting a continuous dedication to safeguarding water safety. Furthermore, the data reveals an improvement in the performance of chemical assessments, with scores steadily progressing over to 100% by 2022. While minor fluctuations are observed in other categories, the overall trend demonstrates Longford’s unwavering efforts to ensure water quality.
Meath
Testing in Co.Meath was not completed in 2019 or 2020. From years 2021 to 2023 across all categories including bacteria detection, chemicals, heavy metals, and others, the results have consistently achieved a consistent score over 98%.
Offaly
In County Offaly, water quality stands as a beacon of consistency and excellence, evident in the consistently high testing results over the past five years. Across all key parameters, including bacteria detection, chemical analysis, and heavy metal identification, the results have consistently achieved a perfect 100% score. A minor fluctuation occurred in the “other” category in 2021, but this has since been resolved.
Westmeath
From 2022 onwards, improvements were made to increase compliance with the water safety regulations achieving a perfect 100% score in 2023.
Wexford
Parameters like bacteria detection, chemical analysis, and heavy metal identification have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, with occasional fluctuations observed in 2020 and 2021. By 2023, 100% compliance was reached.
Wicklow
The data illustrates consistently high accuracy in water testing for various categories (Bacteria, Chemicals, Heavy Metals, Other) in Wicklow across the years 2020 to 2023. Notably, the accuracy for chemicals remained consistently high, while the accuracy for heavy metals exhibited some variability.
Visit our base for Munster located in Kerry which is our primary office for your water testing needs at Farranfore, Co. Kerry, IE.
Clare
Notably, both bacteria and chemicals testing achieved consistently high accuracy, with slight variations in the heavy metals testing category. Compliance remained notably high, it did not reach 100% across all categories with slight variability across the years.
Cork
Noteworthy is the unwavering accuracy in the chemicals category, consistently registering 100% accuracy across all five years. In the case of bacteria testing, there is a steady climb in accuracy from 98.38% in 2019 to a perfect 100% in 2020 and beyond. While heavy metals testing exhibited some fluctuations, overall accuracy remained high, with an upward trend from 97.84% in 2020 to a consistent 100% from 2021 to 2023. This data underscores Cork’s commitment to accurate water quality assessment and its effective management across multiple parameters.
Kerry
In Kerry, water testing data spanning the last five years underscores a consistent dedication to upholding elevated standards. From bacteria detection to chemical composition and heavy metal presence, every parameter maintained a flawless 100% score in 2023. While slight variations were observed in previous years, the commitment to water quality remained steadfast, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities across the county, including Killarney.
If you’re wondering whether you can drink tap water in Killarney, the same standards and testing apply as for the rest of Kerry, mains-supplied tap water is treated and monitored to meet EU and Irish drinking water regulations. Following 2021, improvements were made to move Kerry to the highest water standards.
Limerick
In Limerick, the water testing data over the past five years underscores a dedicated commitment to maintaining rigorous standards. Parameters such as bacteria detection, chemicals, heavy metals, and others consistently demonstrate high levels of accuracy, with scores exceeding 98%. While some minor fluctuations are evident in certain years, the overall dedication to excellence remains steadfast. The total 100% compliance to water standards by 2023 highlights the water improvements made.
Waterford
Parameters such as bacteria detection, chemical analysis, and heavy metal identification have demonstrated high performance, with most years achieving near-perfect scores. Minor fluctuations were observed in the bacteria, heavy metals, and “other” categories in 2020 and 2021, but these did not significantly affect overall compliance.
Tipperary
In County Tipperary, a steadfast commitment to water quality is evident through consistently high testing results over the past five years. Parameters such as bacteria detection, heavy metals, and “other” identification have consistently achieved a perfect 100% score, underscoring unwavering accuracy and dedication. Minor fluctuations in chemicals were seen in 2020.
Cavan
The data shows a positive trend in compliance rates across the various water pollutant categories from 2019 to 2023. In 2019, the compliance rates were not consistently at 100% for all categories. However, by 2023, there has been a significant improvement, with all categories achieving 100% compliance with the European Union Drinking Water Regulations S.I. No. 99/2023.
Donegal
Particularly noteworthy is the perfect accuracy attained in chemicals testing throughout this period. In the case of both bacteria and heavy metals testing, the accuracy remained consistently high, with some minor variations. The heavy metals category, specifically, experienced a small dip in accuracy in 2021 but rebounded in subsequent years. These findings underscore the commitment to maintaining rigorous water quality assessment in Donegal, ensuring effective management and monitoring of water resources.
Monaghan
Across bacteria, heavy metals and other, Co.Monaghan has stayed consistent with 100%. However, it’s worth noting that there was a temporary dip in compliance to the upper 90% range in chemical analysis in 2021 and 2020.
Visit our base for Connacht located in Galway for your water testing needs at Unit 16, N17 Business Park, Galway, H54C678, IE.
Galway
In Galway, the data from water testing over the past five years reflects unwavering commitment to maintaining exceptional water quality standards. Across categories spanning bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals, all parameters consistently achieved a perfect 100% score in 2022 and 2023.
Can you drink tap water in Galway? Current results say yes. Water quality in Galway has not dropped below 99% in five years.
Leitrim
In Leitrim, the water testing data across the past five years signifies a consistent commitment to upholding stringent standards. Bacteria detection, chemicals, and heavy metals consistently showcase a perfect 100% score, reflecting unwavering accuracy. While minor variations are observed in certain parameters, such as chemicals in 2020 and bacteria detection in 2019, the dedication to excellence remains evident. These results underscore Leitrim’s persistent efforts to ensure water safety, with an enduring commitment to maintaining high-quality standards even in the presence of occasional minor fluctuations.
Mayo
In Mayo, the water testing data over the past five years shines as a beacon of unwavering consistency and excellence. Remarkably, across all categories including bacteria detection, chemicals, heavy metals, and others, the results have consistently achieved a flawless 100% score.
Roscommon
In County Roscommon, a commitment to water quality is evident through consistently high testing results over the past five years. Parameters such as bacteria detection and heavy metal identification have consistently achieved a perfect 100% score, reflecting unwavering accuracy. While minor fluctuations occurred in certain categories, such as chemicals and other assessments in 2021 and 2019, County Roscommon’s overall dedication to excellence in water quality remains steadfast. These results underscore the community’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents through the preservation of exceptional water quality standards.
Sligo
In County Sligo, a commitment to water quality is evident through consistent efforts and testing results over the past five years. Parameters such chemical analysis have demonstrated excellent performance, with several years achieving over 98% score. Fluctuations occurred in certain categories in 2020 and 2021, County Sligo’s improvements can be seen with 100% scores in 2023.
If you’re concerned about the quality of your water or you’re due your yearly check, Southern Scientific offers everything you need with our Standard Drinking Water Test.
