KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
PRIVATE WATER SUPPLIES
INFORMATION ON KEEPING
UNREGULATED PRIVATE WATER
SUPPLIES SAFE.
What is an unregulated private water supply?
An unregulated private water supply is any supply
that is not regulated by a Water Authority, in this
case, Kildare Co Co. The definition is set out in the
Drinking Water (no 2) Regulations 2007. It is any
private supply that provides less than 10 cubic
meters per day of water or serves less than 50
people (15 houses) and does not serve a public or
commercial activity. Examples of public or
commercial activities include schools, restaurants
or hotels.
Legal Background
County Councils as Water Authorities are required
by the EC (Drinking Water) (no2) Regulations
2007 to provide owners and users of unregulated
private water supplies with information about the
risks of contamination and with advice about what
they can do to protect and keep their supplies safe.
This leaflet is intended to fulfil this obligation.
Safe Drinking Water
Safe drinking water is essential for good health.
Private water supplies must be carefully located,
properly constructed and protected. The majority
of private water supplies are safe to drink however
some sources may become contaminated with
bacteria and other microbes and with chemicals.
Some microbes are harmless but others may cause
illness in vulnerable people such as the elderly,
young children, pregnant women and those who are
not in good health. If you are concerned about the
safety of your water supply you should get the
water analysed.
Springs Wells and Boreholes
Springs are natural outlets of water that has flowed
underground. Springs can be from shallow or deep
groundwater. Dug wells vary in depth and
construction. Boreholes are generally drilled deep
into rock. Springs, wells and boreholes that draw
water from close to the surface are more likely to be
contaminated than sources that draw water from
deeper underground. Water levels in springs, wells
and boreholes vary throughout the year and there
may also be changes in microbiological quality and
water chemistry. Almost all contamination of
groundwater originates from polluting activities at
or near the ground surface.
Streams, Rivers and Ponds
The water from streams, rivers, lakes and ponds is
not recommended for human consumption unless
such water is fully treated. The quality of surface
waters varies depending on weather conditions and
activities in the catchment.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Know your supply and keep your water safe.
If you have a private supply, you and any shared
users are responsible for its protection. Check the
source area and system regularly.
Location: It is essential that the well/borehole
source is carefully located up-gradient and as far as
possible from any potential sources of
contamination.
Find out the well or borehole construction and at
what level the water enters. A borehole must be
constructed properly using casing with a full
cement grout seal to prevent shallow groundwater
from entering the borehole. (See IGI Guidelines)
Ensure that the top of the borehole casing is above
ground level and in a watertight manhole chamber
to prevent surface water getting into the supply.
Ensure that the top of the casing is covered to
prevent anything falling into the borehole.
Divert rainwater run-off so that it does not flow into
or toward the source or pond nearby.
The source should not be close to any septic tank or
other wastewater treatment system, percolation
area, filter bed, discharge, soak-away or drain.
The source should also be located as far as possible
from farm yards, slurry and manure pits and silage
storage areas.
Fertiliser, pesticides or other chemicals should not
be stored near a source or in a pump house.
Oil tanks should not be located near a source and
should be of double wall construction and bunded
to include the off take point.
Is the supply treated? If so is the treatment system
in good order and serviced regularly? You are
responsible for the maintenance of any treatment
system.
Solutions
If you know that your supply is contaminated you
should remove the source of that contamination if
possible. If not possible you should select a good
site and construct a new well/borehole to modern
standards that will exclude any contamination form
shallow groundwater (See IGI Guidelines).
Well grants are available but must be approved
prior to any work being carried out. Contact the
Rural Water Section, Kildare Co Co.
Get your supply analysed
It is advisable to have your private water supply
tested once a year for bacterial quality and every
three years for chemical detection. You can arrange
to have a sample tested using a private or public
laboratory. The owner of a private water supply is
responsible for any costs incurred with regard to
water testing. Remember that a test can only tell
you about the quality of your supply at the time of
the test, and the quality of water may change.
Consider treating your supply for extra security.
The source of your water should not be polluted but
you may add treatment to further ensure a safe
supply. The choice of treatment must suit your
supply. In order to be effective, treatment systems
must be maintained and it is important to consider
this cost prior to purchase.
Consider your pipe work
Lead can be picked up from lead pipe work. Water
with high lead levels is not suitable for human
consumption. Replace old lead pipe work with
Class C UPVC pipe work.
Copper: You may notice a blue tinge or blue/green
stain on sanitary fittings. This may be because your
water supply is slightly acidic and is dissolving
copper from pipes or the hot water cylinder. Test
the water for copper and check for possible leaks.
Use non metal pipes for drinking water if your
supply is acidic.
Sources and types of contamination
Bacteria
The most significant risk to private wells is from
leaking drains or malfunctioning septic tank and
other sewerage treatment systems. House owners
should ensure that all sewerage systems are
properly constructed, installed, maintained and
serviced.
Another possible source of bacteria is from animals.
Water supplies drawn from farmland where animals
graze or where excessive manure or slurry is spread
are most at risk, particularly where rainwater can
run directly off farmland into the water source area.
Chemicals
Possible sources of chemicals in a water supply
include industrial premises, workshops, quarrying,
road and driveway run-off. Farming and forestry
(use of fertilisers, pesticides and sheep dips) are
other possible sources. Artificial fertilisers and
animal waste contain nitrogen. Water with
excessive levels of nitrates is not be suitable for
bottle-fed infants under six months.
Other Issues
Water Hardness is a natural characteristic of
groundwater sourced in limestone areas such as in
much of Co Kildare. Hardness is made up of
calcium and magnesium dissolved by the passage
of water through soil and rock. Temporary hardness
is made up of calcium carbonate and this hardness
precipitates out of water when heated resulting in
lime scale deposits. Hard water is good for health.
Calcium and magnesium are good for bones teeth
and the heart. The World Health Organisation does
not set an upper limit. Hardness may be removed
from household water however water with
increased sodium/salt content is not recommended
for human consumption.
Iron and Manganese may be present in your
supply and if excessive removal is recommended to
make the water acceptable. The presence of iron
and manganese is not considered harmful to health.
Radon and uranium may be present in the water
source because of the nature of the rocks in the
catchment, particularly in the granite areas. High
levels may be harmful to health. Advice in this
regard can be obtained from the Radiological
Protection Institute of Ireland. Tel: 01-2697766.
Where can you get further advice?
If you have any questions or want further advice
about your unregulated private water supply contact
the Water Authority, Kildare County Council,
Water Services Section, Newbridge
The contact phone number is 045 431364
Alternatively, you may contact the Environmental
Health Officer HSE [045 873267].