Improvement work across nine water supply schemes in Co Wicklow is on target, Irish Water has confirmed.

The schemes are on the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL) which was recently published.

The nine water supplies on the RAL are Roundwood, Aughrim/Annacurra, Avoca/Ballinclash, Enniskerry, Wicklow Regional Public Supply, Bray, Greystones/Windgates/Templecarrig, Kilmacanogue and Newton Newscaslte Kilcoole.

Irish Water is investing in on-going projects to address the different risks to the water supplies.

The Avoca/Ballinclash, Enniskerry and Wicklow Regional Public Supply are on the RAL due to elevated Trihalomethanes (THMs).

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THMs are chemicals formed by the reaction of naturally occurring dissolved organic material and chlorine which is used for disinfection in order to protect against pathogenic bacteria.

Irish Water has put in place the first national THMs plan and a prioritised programme of investment to address all inadequacies in drinking water parameters including THMs. By 2021 the utility plans to reduce the number of schemes on the RAL to zero with an investment of €327 million in upgrading water supplies at risk from THMs.

To help remove eight of the water supplies from the RAL Irish Water is progressing plans to upgrade the Vartry Treatment Plant and to construct a new pipeline and additional structures for the transfer of treated drinking water from Vartry to Callowhill. The new treatment plant, along with other planned upgrades to the existing site, will secure the water supply for the long-term and ensure the scheme continues to meet all drinking water standards.

Work has been carried out to upgrade the Avoca/ Ballinclash water treatment plant. Final commissioning and process proving of the plant is currently underway. The new plant is due to enter production in the coming weeks. The work will help to facilitate the removal of the plant from the RAL.

(CD)