Ireland’s drinking water continues to meet high standards, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2025 report.

Of samples analysed, compliance with microbiological limits reached 99.8%, while chemical standards were met in 99.7%, meaning public water is safe to drink.

However, some at-risk supplies were identified on the remedial action list (RAL), with these requiring improvements to ensure a safe and secure drinking water supply.

Ten at-risk supplies were resolved during 2025, reflecting continued progress by Uisce Éireann in upgrading the drinking water treatment infrastructure.

Despite this, 35 public water supplies remain on the RAL at the end of 2025 and must be addressed as soon as possible, the report found.

Boil water notices

In 2025, 100 supplies affecting almost 200,000 consumers were affected by boil water notices or water restriction notices, an increase from 84 supplies in 2024.

The figures include nine boil water notices associated with supplies interrupted by storm Éowyn and 11 supplies subject to more than one notice during the year.

EPA programme manager Noel Byrne described the increase in the number of boil water notices as “worrying”.

He said that Uisce Éireann “must make water treatment plants more robust, so they can withstand treatment challenges and continue to provide a safe water supply for consumers”.

“Where restrictions are necessary, Uisce Éireann must respond quickly so that a compliant water supply is restored as soon as possible.”

The continued risk of exposure to lead in drinking water due to the metal being in water pipes and the level of water lost through leakage of pipes were also highlighted in the report, with Ireland losing 36% of treated drinking water through leakage in 2024.

The report called for more action by Uisce Éireann and other stakeholders to address these issues in the supply network.