How to choose water filter

PolinaMar

I’d like to find out how I can choose a water filter. I’m considering to buy countertop filter just for drinking and preparing food. I’ve tried to understand what contaminants our water has. But looking through the report I can’t see their levels, the list of them only. Where can I find these levels in order to get a filter which suits?

Irish Water: Niamh

Hi PolinaMar,

Water quality is affected by a complex range of matters such as the area you live in, rock and soil types in your area, the pipe network to your property and various other factors.

Water contaminates can vary from property to property due to the type of internal plumbing in your house. As this private side plumbing is outside of Irish Water's remit, we cannot provide you with specific results for the water contaminates which are present coming out of your tap.

Irish Water are responsible for the public supply network only and we ensure that the quality is of an acceptable standard as per European regulations. See https://www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/parameters/ for more information.

Irish Water publishes past drinking water quality results for Water Supply Zones across Ireland and these results show contaminant levels found in testing of the public water supply. If you would like to search you address you can do so at the following link: https://www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/.

If you have any further queries, please feel free to ask and we will be happy to help.

Kind regards,
Niamh

PolinaMar

Thanks a lot for such a full answer! Just one thing I can’t get. If I go through the quality report I don’t see contaminants levels. There is one representative column only - “tests undertaken”, the other columns are empty. Which columns should I look through? Where can I find it in the report?

Irish Water: Niamh

Hi PolinaMar,

You are very welcome.

On the left side of the report are all the parameters which are tested in the water supply. The "Tests Undertaken" column shows the volume of water quality tests conducted by Irish Water in the year in question. The second column "Exceedances" shows the amount of times that a parameter tested over the acceptable limits, which Irish Water have set for Water Quality standards. Underneath the table is an explanation of exceedances which were found in the water supply in question.

As you are looking for specific levels of contaminates contained in your own water supply, the best option would be to conduct a water quality test at own your kitchen tap. For a list of businesses who are accredited to test Water Quality, please go to www.inab.ie and search "water testing".

Hope this helps however, if you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Kind regards,
Niamh

PolinaMar

There is a misunderstanding has occurred probably. Actually I’d like to know public water quality either as there is such an opportunity.

Your previous answer says
“Irish Water publishes past drinking water quality results for Water Supply Zones across Ireland and these results show contaminant levels found in testing of the public water supply. ”

Doesn’t that mean I can see these levels? And where can I get them?

Irish Water: Niamh

Hi PolinaMar,

Please PM me the following details:
- Your full name;
- address; and
- contact number.

I can then look into getting these details for you.

Kind regards,
Niamh