Strange tap water!

FullblownRose · 09-11-2014 01:34AM #1

This story about excessive levels of Lead in a water supply, got me thinking. I've been unhappy with the taste and smell of my tap water for a while but I don't know how to have it tested. Has anyone had similar issues with theirs? Does anyone know if Irish Water can be contacted in relation to checking the water quality and safety?

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/high-lead-levels-drinking-water-forces-irish-water-220231908.html#LJBaQTi

moxin · 09-11-2014 01:37AM

Ha, good luck with that!

jimgoose · 09-11-2014 01:38AM

Contact Irish Water?? You'll have more luck contacting Buffalo Bill Cody.

FullblownRose · 09-11-2014 01:39AM

I had a feeling it wouldn't be that straightforward!

FullblownRose · 09-11-2014 01:41AM

sending them an email to ask what the procedure is for having it investigated. They have nothing helpful on their website. It's all about the billing aspect :O

abutler101 · 09-11-2014 01:42AM

Ring your county council, they still do the testing.

The_Valeyard · 09-11-2014 01:42AM

Irish Water will probably charge you for the lead.

FullblownRose · 09-11-2014 01:43AM

abutler101 wrote: »

Ring your county council, they still do the testing.

Thanks

Mint Aero · 09-11-2014 01:52AM

Saw it on duncy stewerts eco warrior programme few yr ago. There's a place that does it, can't remember where as I said it was few yr ago. Check out the EPA's website or something...

kneemos · 09-11-2014 01:59AM

Most people are unhappy with the taste and smell of their tap water.

abutler101 · 09-11-2014 02:02AM

kneemos wrote: »

Most people are unhappy with the taste and smell of their tap water.

How did you come to that conclusion?

KK4SAM · 09-11-2014 02:02AM

kneemos wrote: »

Most people are unhappy with the taste and smell of their tap water.

That's not true !

hfallada · 09-11-2014 02:02AM

Dublin city water tastes fairly nasty. But if you buy a filter it tastes fine. I think its because the water is soft and so heavily treated with chlorine,when UV is used more abroad.

Im surprised no one has mentioned that the taste is floride

FullblownRose · 09-11-2014 02:05AM

Well, mine was great up until about a year or so ago and it is truly unpalatable at this stage. If it is flouride then they must have increased the amount they put into it..?

And the smell vaguely reminds me of the smell of chlorine in swimming pools.

09-11-2014 02:06AM

KK4SAM wrote: »

That's not true !

'Tis around here, and a boil notice to prove it!

09-11-2014 02:07AM

FullblownRose wrote: »

Well, mine was great up until about a year or so ago and it is truly unpalatable at this stage. If it is flouride then they must have increased the amount they put into it..?

And the smell vaguely reminds me of the smell of chlorine in swimming pools.

That's because it is chlorine, don't know about the fluoride though.

kneemos · 09-11-2014 02:09AM

KK4SAM wrote: »

That's not true !

Beg to differ.

lazybones32 · 09-11-2014 02:13AM

FullblownRose wrote: »

This story about excessive levels of Lead in a water supply, got me thinking. I've been unhappy with the taste and smell of my tap water for a while but I don't know how to have it tested. Has anyone had similar issues with theirs? Does anyone know if Irish Water can be contacted in relation to checking the water quality and safety?

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/high-lead-levels-drinking-water-forces-irish-water-220231908.html#LJBaQTi

Your County Council is nearly obliged to test a sample on your behalf but I think there are a few labs who will test yours for your for a nominal fee.

Be warned: you may struggle to drink tap water again...(had our done by CC 2 years ago)

09-11-2014 02:20AM

As far as I know, lead is seldom used in distribution pipes and hasn't been used in domestic pipes since the 1950s or earlier, so I would imagine that lead is the least of your worries.

moxin · 09-11-2014 02:33AM

Deleted User wrote: »

As far as I know, lead is seldom used in distribution pipes and hasn't been used in domestic pipes since the 1950s or earlier, so I would imagine that lead is the least of your worries.

Lead has been used in Tralee, Kerry recently.

http://www.thejournal.ie/lead-levels-drinking-water-st-brendans-park-1766116-Nov2014/?utm_source=facebook_short

SpaceTime · 09-11-2014 03:18AM

Bad taste is usually chlorine.
They often seem to add more when they're working on pipes to minimise risk of contamination with soil bacteria.

policarp · 09-11-2014 03:26AM

What is water?

Is it H2O?

Is it a saline solution?

Is it a Flu ride?

Or is it Heavens Gift
to those who live in
Ireland?

FullblownRose · 09-11-2014 11:50AM

SpaceTime wrote: »

Bad taste is usually chlorine.
They often seem to add more when they're working on pipes to minimise risk of contamination with soil bacteria.

The water supply was interrupted a few times this year and the taste deteriorated after each interruption, so that fits.

Chlorine must be excessive if it's so strongly detected through taste and smell, I feel?

I'm not exaggerating- it's disgusting. You can still taste it in a cup of tea!

greasepalm · 09-11-2014 12:06PM

interesting as i thought i could smell chlorine in the water a few weeks ago,maybe i did cheers

GTDolanator · 09-11-2014 12:47PM

Dublin city labs where they test the water are down beside the pidgeon house in ringsend,look em up and give em a call not sure if they do public requests

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 09-11-2014 12:53PM

There are lots of companies who check domestic water quality for those with wells.
http://www.iaslabs.ie/environmental-testing/drinking-water.html. This is just one. You can google for more options. It is not expensive.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 09-11-2014 12:58PM

kneemos wrote: »

Most people are unhappy with the taste and smell of their tap water.

Where did you come by that statistic? Our water has been excellent for the past 20 years or so. We don't buy any bottled water anymore as the tap water is perfect. Likewise in many locations I know around the country.
You might want to change "most" to "some".

kneemos · 09-11-2014 01:02PM

Arabella Obnoxious Predator wrote: »

Where did you come by that statistic? Our water has been excellent for the past 20 years or so. We don't buy any bottled water anymore as the tap water is perfect. Likewise in many locations I know around the country.
You might want to change "most" to "some".

It's anecdotal of course,but I'll stick with most.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 09-11-2014 01:05PM

kneemos wrote: »

It's anecdotal of course,but I'll stick with most.

So, incorrect in other words.

newmug · 09-11-2014 01:08PM

There's still lead pipes used in Meath.

We have our own well. There's a lot of iron in the water, so much so that if you wash a white shirt, it will come out a bit orangey looking. We got it tested once, they said that the heavy metal content was 20 times the safe amount and that it was not fit for human consumption!!!

Still drinking it 20 years on.

dazed+confused · 09-11-2014 01:09PM

hfallada wrote: »

Dublin city water tastes fairly nasty. But if you buy a filter it tastes fine. I think its because the water is soft and so heavily treated with chlorine,when UV is used more abroad.

Im surprised no one has mentioned that the taste is floride

UV cannot be used without chlorine.

Compounds of Fluoride are added at levels too small for the human palate to detect.

Strange tap water!

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