THE establishment of Irish Water has saved lives. OK, so that might be stretching the boundaries of spin to its limits but don’t be surprised if you hear it out of the mouth of a Government politician in the near future.
Thanks to the nationwide rollout of the water meter installation programme – heretofore seen as a negative thing by many – the full extent of the problem posed by lead pipes has been laid bare. Up to 75,000 homes have been identified as having lead pipes used in their plumbing but the figure could eventually turn out to be as high as 200,000.
The problem doesn’t end there either, with numbers still to be confirmed for public buildings such as schools and hospitals. Levels of lead up to 80 times the legal limit were uncovered in parts of Dublin.
Lead contamination presents a serious health risk and is thought to cause developmental problems in children.
While Irish Water has acted responsibly in highlighting the issue, it is curious that the Government is only waking up to it now and making such a song and dance about it. The problem of lead contamination in our water has been going on for years and affects buildings that were constructed before the 1970s. The fact that we’re just sitting up and taking notice of it now is typical of the
‘sure we’ll be grand’ mentality that has dogged Irish society for generations.
But here’s the rub. Even though this is being portrayed by the Government as a major public health issue, householders are still deemed to be responsible for what was, it could be argued, a regulatory failure on the part the State.
What makes this issue any different to the Celtic Tiger pyrite scandal, where the political establishment eventually had to step in and fund a remediation programme for private homes?
The good news we’re being fed is that a grant scheme is to be set up to assist low income families in replacing lead pipes on their properties. In many cases, this will cover some but not all of the cost, estimated to be as high as
?¬5,000. Those not eligible for the grant will have to foot the entire bill themselves.
Am I wrong to speculate that to avail of the grant, your account with Irish Water will have to be paid in full first? Some more food for thought, perhaps, for those who have so far failed to register with the new utility company.
The water saga rumbles on.