Survey finds low levels of awareness and knowledge of drinking water quality and supply
A national survey commissioned by The Water Forum (An Fóram Uisce) finds the public are not knowledgeable about water resources.
The Water Forum provides a platform for stakeholder engagement on water policies and the management of Ireland’s waters. Members of the Forum represent 16 different sectors bringing diverse opinions, perspectives, and interests to water management issues. Sectors include agricultural organisations, angling, business, community and voluntary groups, domestic water consumers, education, environmental NGOs, fisheries, forestry, recreation, rivers trusts, rural water, social housing, tourism, trade unions and youth.
In February 2024, 14 new members were appointed to the Forum, to join 13 existing members who have been reappointed for a second term. All members of the Forum are nominated by their representative organisations and appointed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister Darragh O’Brien TD. This wide range of representation provides an opportunity to input different values and outlooks to policy development for water management and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. The Forum’s statutory role is to provide advice to the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Uisce Éireann, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), and the Water Policy Advisory Committee.
A goal of the Water Forum’s Strategic Plan is to promote awareness and education on the value of and threats to water. To inform this action, the Forum commissioned a national survey of water consumers (Uisce Éireann customers, Group Water Scheme customers and private well owners) to determine their:
- knowledge of water supply, quality and security;
- satisfaction with supplier communications; and
- water conservation awareness.
The survey was hosted online by Interactions Research Ltd. The national sample consisted of 1,518 adults, recruited as a demographically representative sample of the population in terms of gender, age, region, and social background and the survey was completed in August 2023. Of those surveyed, 81 per cent were connected to a public water supply provided by Uisce Éireann, 12 per cent were connected to Group Water Schemes and 4 per cent sourced their water supply from private wells.
Main findings
Knowledge of water supply, quality, and security
54 per cent of public water consumers lack knowledge of where their water comes from or how it is treated and 26 per cent do not know who to call if there is a problem. Those connected to private Group Water Schemes showed markedly higher knowledge on local water sources, indicative of a better connection to local water supplies. People surveyed also showed significant confusion over potential future water quality and security challenges.
Customer satisfaction
Just over half of Uisce Éireann consumers were satisfied with drinking water quality, despite the EPA consistently reporting very high standards in public water supplies. 10 per cent of people in Ireland get water from private wells, yet only one-quarter of private well owners test their wells annually as recommended by the EPA. This leaves them at risk of water quality issues in their water supply.
Water conservation awareness
Water conservation is considered important by consumers with 74 per cent of those surveyed agreeing that we need to improve water conservation. However, they do not know how much water they use or how to conserve water in their homes and stated that more information would be helpful.
To address the knowledge gap and develop a water smart society that truly values Ireland’s water resources we need:
- a public information campaign to build knowledge of water treatment and supply processes, how wastewater is treated, and the potential threats to drinking water security and supply;
- strengthened Uisce Éireann customer engagement and communications to improve public trust in drinking water supplies, to make sure people know who to contact if there is an issue and ideally to let people know how much water they are using;
- a significant intervention to inform private well owners about well maintenance, and the need to regularly test their water quality to prevent risk to supplies; and
- enhanced awareness around how to increase water efficiency in the home, to take advantage of the strong support for water conservation.
The Water Forum has presented the findings to Uisce Éireann and shared the reports with Uisce Éireann and the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. We have commissioned further research on private wells to find out what further action can be taken to reduce risk to private water consumers. We have commissioned a cost-benefit analysis of water efficiency measures in the home. This work is all ongoing.
Education materials for schools and the wider public
The Water Forum commissioned Maigue Rivers Trust and Mary Immaculate College to develop education materials on: (1) Water habitats and biodiversity; (2) Water quality and pollution; (3) Exploring rivers using digital maps; and (4) Impacts of our water use. While targeted at schools the resources are suitable for all ages. Teaching materials and student workbooks are available for download from the Water Forum website.
Water and Climate Conference
To share information on encourage dialogue, the Water Forum is hosting a conference to discuss the impacts of climate change on water quality and quantity. Agencies will be invited to discuss the challenges and opportunities of taking a catchment-based approach to addressing climate adaptation for floods and droughts. Academics, agencies, and stakeholders will contribute to panel discussions and deliberations. The Conference will be held in the Tullamore Court Hotel, County Offaly on 20 November 2024.
For more information:
E: info@nationalwaterforum.ie
W: www.thewaterforum.ie
