Irish water quality shows 'little improvement'

Water quality in Ireland has seen "little significant improvement" despite investment over five years, according to the country's Comptroller and Auditor General.

A report on water infrastructure spending by the department of environment has revealed that in spite of an 870 million-euro (£750 million) investment in upgrading water treatment plants between 2002 and 2007, "immediate action" must still be taken by 339 public services to help improve drinking water quality.

Phil Hogan, a spokesperson for Fine Gael Environment, told the Irish Independent that the report was evidence of the national government's "dire" record on drinking water quality.

But a spokesman for the department of the environment claimed that "most of the areas identified as requiring investment are earmarked for funding or work is under way or due to commence shortly".

Meanwhile, a report by the Drinking Water Inspectorate recently found that drinking water quality in the north of England was the worst in the country, with a 99.93 per cent rate of cleanliness.

Written by Joseph Hutton