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Is our water safe?

Thursday, 22 May 2008

A NORTHSIDE family claim skin conditions and other health problems they suffer with have been caused by the quality of their water.
Dublin 15 resident Conor Deane was prompted to get his water tested after he, his wife and young baby began suffering from cracked and bleeding skin.
The Clonee local described how he and his wife always had some doubts in relation to their water quality.
“My wife and I started to get rashes and very dry skin a few months ago,” he told Northside People.
“It became increasingly worse despite the fact that we had changed detergents and soaps.
“But I guess we knew we really had to look into it when our little fella, who is only ten months old, started to get the same problems. His skin looked very irritated each time he had a bath.”
The concerned father added: “As adults we can put up with some things but we are bound to be more protective when our baby starts being affected.”
Mr Deane commissioned private water specialists, Acorn Water, to examine a water sample.
“The sample passed the majority of tests but a problem was detected in the sediment and the taste test,” he explained.

“The report indicates that the result of both tests fall below EU guidelines and the problem needs to be addressed.”
The Acorn report, seen by Northside People, states that “the water contains some sediment which may be causing wear and tear on taps or plumbing fitting or ill-health”.
“The sediment may arise from undissolved iron, manganese or other metals, sand or grit, or algal colonies. Ideally, there should be no detectable sediment in drinking water. The particular health concerns depend on the constituents of the sediment.”
According to the report, Mr Deane’s water also has a detectable taste and may require treatment.
“Taste from water generally indicates the presence of (usually undesirable) chemicals or high levels of dissolved solids,” it was stated.
“As with odour, any health risks depend on the exact nature of the cause of the taste.”
Mr Deane claimed he recently tried to contact Fingal County Council in relation to the issue, but did not get a satisfactory response.
Barbara Rankin, a nurse and neighbour of Mr Deane, claims she has also had problems with her water.
“I have been buying bottled water for some time now because I can’t drink the tap water,” she told Northside People.
“My husband and I have also suffered from extremely dry skin and since we moved into this house three years ago we’ve had to buy three irons and three kettles due to the build up of sediment in them.
“I don’t even want to think of what damage the water could be doing to our larger appliances and boiler.”
She added: “Even after putting my little son’s drinking cup into the dishwasher, it still comes out with a big build up of sediment in the funnel.”
Barbara is particularly anxious to get the problem addressed as she will shortly give birth to a new baby.
“I certainly don’t want to do anything to jeopardise the health of my children,” she said.
A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said any concerns in relation to water are taken very seriously and as such the Water Department will carry out a test of the water in Mr Deane’s estate.

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