EU's top court rules Ireland failed to restore quality of its drinking water

Ireland has failed to restore the quality of its drinking water, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Thursday, siding with the European Commission which filed a complaint on the issue at the end of 2021. The Court said Ireland had failed to take measures "as soon as possible" to restore the quality of water intended for human consumption.

Ireland has failed to restore the quality of its drinking water, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on Thursday, siding with the European Commission which filed a complaint on the issue at the end of 2021. The Court upheld the Commission's view that Ireland had not done enough to bring down the level of trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water.

THMs are found in water treatment systems that use chlorine to remove bacteria and may harm humans and the environment. "The Court declares that Ireland has failed to fulfill its obligations under article 4 of (the Drinking Water) Directive 98/83," the Court said in a statement, adding Ireland had to pay the costs of the proceedings.

That directive requires member states to ensure that water intended for human consumption is wholesome and clean. The Court said Ireland had failed to take measures "as soon as possible" to restore the quality of water intended for human consumption.