Sherlock raises concern about water quality

Local Labour TD Marie Sherlock has called on Irish Water to urgently address the significant concerns of residents in the Phibsborough area and across Dublin about water quality.  

The Dublin Central TD was speaking following a large turnout at a local public meeting on the issue in Phibsborough on November 25th, where locals expressed concern about the water quality in the area.

“People in Phibsborough are looking for immediate clarity from Irish Water on the quality of the water they consume,” she said, as the meeting heard of concerns from residents about the potential impact of lead in the water locally.

“While I welcome moves from Irish Water, especially orthophosphate dosing and a new pilot project for testing, it is critical that they engage in a major investment programme to replace all lead pipe connections. Replacing lead pipes is the fundamental fix for this issue.” 

The meeting was organised following research from the AMEND Project in UCD and DKIT, who flagged concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts of the local water services.

As part of the research, two rounds of sampling were collected in the Phibsborough area, with the second sample of 76 homes in July 2025 finding that two out of every three homes had lead in their tap water, with 28% of homes tested above EU limits. 

Sherlock noted that the research has implications for water quality right across Dublin, and the issue may not be limited to Phibsborough.

“There is no safe level of water, and high levels of lead are particularly unsafe for children under the age of 6, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals,” she said.

“I welcome that plan by Irish Water for Orthophosphate dosing from 2027 to reduce lead levels in water supply. Irish Water has also confirmed to me that they are going to commence a pilot project to test older homes in the Phibsborough/Drumcondra area, with one third of those to be tested in the Phibsborough area.”

Sherlock said, “it is critical that we see a clear plan to replace all lead pipe connections through a concerted investment programme to resolve this issue once and for all. Anything else is simply papering over the cracks of a leaky, struggling water system.”