LIMERICK City and County Council say it is difficult to be precise as to the exact location and number of remaining lead connections.
Anti-Austerity Alliance councillor Cian Prendiville submitted a question to the Council asking where lead pipes are still in use, both in houses and estates built by the city and county councils and the private houses approved by them?
In response, director of services, Kieran Lehane explained, “Public water supplies were traditionally delivered through cast iron mains with lead pipe connections from the mains to properties. This practice was phased out gradually from the 1950s onwards. Accordingly it is likely that properties connected to mains before this time would have utilised lead services.”
Mr Lehane pointed out that Limerick City and County Council has replaced almost 2,000 of these lead services in the last number of years in areas such as Janesboro, Pennywell, Garryowen, Kilalee, Hyde Road, Prospect, Upper and Lower Carey’s Road, Lansdowne Park, New Road, Brown’s Quay and O’Dwyer’s Villas in Thomondgate and Rathbane.
He also confirmed that Irish Water is now embarking on a programme to replace lead services in Ballynanty, Kileely and St Mary’s Park.
“Over the years the Council would also have replaced lead services when carrying out repairs/refurbishment and redevelopment to houses in its housing stock. In addition to this many households would have replaced lead connections themselves,” said Mr Lehane.
“Accordingly its difficult to be precise as to the exact location and number of remaining lead connections. Work being carried out by Irish Water at present will inform this process and provide a more accurate assessment of remaining lead services,” he concluded.
