Irish Water Fails EU Standards, Court Rules
In a landmark decision, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has declared that the Republic of Ireland failed to meet EU safety standards for drinking water. The ruling states that the concentration of trihalomethanes (THMs), chemical compounds found in Irish drinking water, surpasses levels deemed safe by the European Union.
THMs are byproducts commonly present in water treatment systems that utilize chlorine to eliminate bacteria and impurities. The court emphasized that elevated levels of THMs pose risks to both human health and the environment.
The Republic of Ireland was brought to court by the European Commission (EC), alleging a failure to adhere to the EU's primary law on drinking water. The EC argued that Ireland did not take the necessary measures to comply with the directive concerning THM concentrations and failed to promptly restore the quality of drinking water.
The ECJ's ruling highlighted that in January 2014, Irish Water was entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring drinking water quality aligned with EU standards outlined in Directive 98/83. Despite providing information on THM concentrations in 2015, the EC deemed Ireland's response inadequate, leading to subsequent orders in 2020.
The court underscored that although Ireland had the flexibility to define how it implemented the directive within its legal framework, it was obligated to uphold all provisions, including those related to THM concentrations. The Republic's persistent failure to justify the prolonged breach was a key factor in the ruling.
High THM levels were observed over an extended period, and the court found that Ireland did not contest the facts alleged by the commission. The ECJ held that the evidence presented by the EC was sufficient to substantiate Ireland's breach of Article 4 of the Safe Drinking Water Directive.
This decision highlights the importance of maintaining water quality and compliance with EU standards, emphasizing the need for swift corrective measures to protect the health and well-being of the public.
