WaterCheck Ireland

Lead in Drinking Water in Ireland

Explore EPA Ireland monitoring records, listed exceedances and historical trends for Lead in public drinking-water supplies across Ireland.

Lead can dissolve into water from lead plumbing.

Latest monitoring year
2025
Page updated
September 2026
Data available
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
1,138Monitoring results
1,138Samples
690Water supplies monitored
30EPA-listed exceedances

These are historical public-supply monitoring records, not a current water notice or a test of every household. Sampling locations can be outside the linked towns.

What do the latest results show?

The latest year is 2025. Results and listed exceedances are counted separately from their respective datasets.

  1. In 2025, 1,138 Lead monitoring results were recorded from 1,138 samples across 690 public water supplies.
  2. The separate EPA exceedance dataset lists 30 records across 27 schemes in 2025.
  3. There were 75 more monitoring results than in 2024 (7.1% more). This describes the volume of monitoring, not a change in water quality.

Lead content and the Irish drinking-water limit

Recorded results for 2025, with official requirements shown separately.

Irish drinking-water requirement

10 µg/l

Current transitional value; Schedule 1 requires 5 µg/l by 12 January 2036. Historical records retain their originally reported limits.

This is separate guidance, not a test result for your own water. It does not reclassify historical records.

Official guidance checked 14 Sep 2026.

Monitoring coverage · 2025

Numeric measurements
394
EPA-listed exceedances
30
Water supplies monitored
690
First sample
27 Jan 2025
Latest sample
16 Dec 2025

These are historical records, not the current status of your water. EPA-listed exceedances come from a separate dataset.

Lead at one sampling location need not affect a whole supply. Uisce Éireann explains that pipework, standing time and other conditions influence a property's results.

Monitoring measurement units are not verified, so these recorded values cannot be compared with the official standard. Units in the listed exceedance table are reproduced separately from that source.

How to read these results

Measurement coverage · 2021–2025

The imported monitoring records have no unit field. These are counts of recorded values, not concentrations or a comparison with the standard.

1,563 numeric records; 3,655 censored text records; 0 other text-only records; 52 records without a result value.

4,676 records have a non-empty text field, including records that also have a numeric value. This overlapping field count must not be added to the numeric total.

Result representation by year
YearNumericNon-empty text fieldCensored textOther text onlyNo result value
202127591274602
202222591579001
2023325906686019
2024344924695024
20253941,01973806

Across this period, 5,270 results from 5,270 samples cover 730 distinct water supplies. Sample dates run from 05 Jan 2021 to 16 Dec 2025.

20251,138 results · 30 listed exceedances · 690 schemes monitored
Monitoring results — independent scale
05691,138 1,023 2021 1,016 2022 1,030 2023 1,063 2024 1,138 2025
1,023
2021
1,016
2022
1,030
2023
1,063
2024
1,138
2025
EPA-listed exceedance records — independent scale
01530 11 2021 13 2022 19 2023 15 2024 30 2025
11
2021
13
2022
19
2023
15
2024
30
2025

These are record counts, not an official EPA compliance rate. The number and selection of samples and monitored schemes can change between years.

There were 75 more monitoring results than in 2024 (7.1% more). This describes the volume of monitoring, not a change in water quality.

Lead monitoring, 2021–2025
YearResultsSamplesSchemes monitoredListed exceedancesSchemes with listed exceedances
20211,0231,0236221110
20221,0161,0166111311
20231,0301,0306231917
20241,0631,0636461514
20251,1381,1386903027

EPA-listed Lead exceedances

88 listed records across 61 distinct schemes, 2021–2025. These are historical sample records, not a current assessment of each property in a supply zone.

Results and limits below are reproduced from the separate EPA exceedance dataset, with its own reported units. These units are not assigned to the wider monitoring dataset.

Listed exceedances by year and reported unit/limit pair
YearRecordsSchemesLowest listed resultHighest listed resultReported unitReported limit
202111101198ug/l10
202213111253.6ug/l10
2023191711212ug/l10
2024151411110ug/l10
202530271195ug/l10
Show all 88 listed records 2021–2025 · newest first
All EPA-listed Lead exceedances in the reporting period
DateResultReported unitReported limitWater supply schemeScheme code
28 Nov 202511ug/l10Coolagown0500PUB1220
27 Nov 202511ug/l10Toormore0500PUB4504
25 Nov 202511ug/l10Kilnamartyra0500PUB2306
22 Oct 202519ug/l10Tullamore South and Clonaslee2500PUB1020
02 Oct 202521ug/l10Urlingford-Johnstown PWS1500PUB1015
02 Oct 202552ug/l10Tipperary Town Supply2900PUB0123
05 Sep 202564ug/l10Roscrea RWSS (Zone 1 - Mix)2800PUB1009
04 Sep 202513ug/l10Clara/Ferbane PWS2500PUB1003
04 Sep 202511ug/l10Poulavanogue3100PUB1082
03 Sep 202512ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
03 Sep 202523ug/l10Portlaw3100PUB1081
01 Sep 202512ug/l10Trim2300PUB1009
01 Sep 202589ug/l10Roscommon Central Water Supply Scheme2600PUB1002
21 Aug 202517ug/l10Edenderry PWS2500PUB1008
11 Aug 202511ug/l10KILCASH2900PUB0147
06 Aug 202595ug/l10DCC Zone 10700PUB1001
06 Aug 202557ug/l10DCC Zone 20700PUB1002
07 Jul 202512ug/l10Templemore RWSS (Zone 2)2800PUB1027
23 Jun 202513ug/l10Mountrath 3 PWS1600PUB1057
18 Jun 202531ug/l10DCC Zone 30700PUB1004
12 Jun 202512ug/l10Garravoone3100PUB1047
04 Jun 202522ug/l10Poulaphouca Regional1400PUB1023
03 Jun 202519ug/l10Drumcondrath2300PUB1005
14 May 202560ug/l10DCC Zone 10700PUB1001
12 May 202575ug/l10Kiltimagh PWS2200PUB1017
16 Apr 202558ug/l10Galway City PWS1100PUB1001
07 Apr 202556ug/l10Fingal Zone 10900PUB1001
02 Apr 202525ug/l10Ballydasoon3100PUB1007
26 Mar 202514ug/l10DCC Zone 10700PUB1001
05 Feb 202517ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
04 Nov 202412ug/l10Kilrossanty3100PUB1069
16 Oct 202422ug/l10DCC Zone 10700PUB1001
11 Sep 202415ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
04 Sep 202420ug/l10DCC Zone 20700PUB1002
19 Aug 202411ug/l10Glashaboy0500PUB3303
26 Jun 2024110ug/l10DLR Zone 81000PUB1008
19 Jun 202413ug/l10DCC Zone 10700PUB1001
18 Jun 202418ug/l10Russelstown3100PUB1086
15 May 202412ug/l10Fingal Zone 10900PUB1001
08 May 202415ug/l10Shinrone/Brosna PWS2500PUB1019
02 May 202414ug/l10Bree3300PUB1420
01 May 202418ug/l10DLR Zone 11000PUB1001
12 Apr 202428ug/l10Athlone PWS3200PUB1001
02 Apr 202421ug/l10Ardee2100PUB1001
07 Feb 202463ug/l10South Dublin Zone 20800PUB1001
12 Dec 202328ug/l10South Louth & East Meath2100PUB1019
10 Nov 202313ug/l10Rathgormack3100PUB1083
08 Nov 2023122ug/l10Portlaw3100PUB1081
07 Nov 202315ug/l10Tallow3100PUB1095
01 Nov 202315ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
04 Oct 202332ug/l10DCC Zone 30700PUB1004
04 Oct 202330ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
02 Oct 202311ug/l10Glashaboy0500PUB3303
02 Oct 2023212ug/l10Clonakilty0500PUB4301
18 Sep 202315.3ug/l10Bruff PWS1900PUB1013
18 Sep 202343.8ug/l10Doon PWS1900PUB1024
05 Sep 202317ug/l10DCC Zone 20700PUB1002
04 Sep 202313ug/l10Borrisokane2800PUB1002
01 Aug 2023143ug/l10Allihies0500PUB4202
01 Aug 202315ug/l10Ballyknock3100PUB1013
24 Jul 202311.6ug/l10Ardpatrick Kilfinnane Public Water Supply1900PUB2002
10 May 202326ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
02 May 202317ug/l10Navan Mid-Meath Liscarton PWS2300PUB1016
19 Apr 202312ug/l10DLR Zone 21000PUB1002
07 Dec 202217ug/l10South Dublin Zone 20800PUB1001
09 Nov 202223ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
10 Oct 202215ug/l10Kilnamartyra0500PUB2306
10 Oct 202213.2ug/l10Waterville PWS 075H1300PUB1057
28 Sep 202226ug/l10South Dublin Zone 20800PUB1001
19 Sep 202253.6ug/l10Tieraclea (Tarbert) PWS 071E1300PUB1010
12 Sep 202252ug/l10North East Regional PWS2600PUB1030
06 Sep 202215ug/l10Borrisokane2800PUB1002
01 Sep 202221ug/l10Portlaw3100PUB1081
03 Aug 202215ug/l10Mullingar Regional3200PUB1005
07 Jun 202241ug/l10DLR Zone 11000PUB1001
03 May 202212ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
03 May 202219ug/l10Tellarought3300PUB1815
09 Dec 202116ug/l10Cork Harbour & City0500PUB3401
01 Nov 202156ug/l10South Dublin Zone 20800PUB1001
13 Sep 202113ug/l10Glenville0500PUB3304
09 Sep 202113ug/l10Rathgormack3100PUB1083
10 Aug 202128.6ug/l10Foxford PWS2200PUB1014
03 Aug 202117ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005
03 Aug 202111ug/l10WICKLOW REGIONAL SUPPLY3400PUB1005
15 Jul 202113ug/l10Crehanagh3100PUB1107
17 Jun 202198ug/l10Joanstown3100PUB1103
04 Jun 202113ug/l10Ballany3200PUB1004
07 Apr 202111ug/l10DCC Zone 40700PUB1005

Places with mapped Lead monitoring data

Explore existing place reports with mapped Water Supply Zones containing Lead monitoring records in 2021–2025.

95 published places have at least one qualifying mapped zone. The 20 largest are listed below by Census 2022 population, not by Lead levels.

Places can share the same Water Supply Zone. These links do not represent independent city measurements; sampling locations may be outside the named Built Up Area. National totals above count each source record once.

DublinDublinCorkCorkLimerickLimerickGalwayGalwayWaterfordWaterfordDroghedaLouthDundalkLouthSwordsDublinNavanMeathBrayWicklowEnnisClareCarlowCarlowKilkennyKilkennyNaasKildareTraleeKerryNewbridgeKildareBalbrigganDublinPortlaoiseLaoisAthloneWestmeathMullingarWestmeath

View all places — the complete published place directory.

Why plumbing matters for lead

Lead at one sampling location need not affect a whole supply. Uisce Éireann explains that pipework, standing time and other conditions influence a property's results.

Current water information for your address

For current supply information, check your Eircode with Uisce Éireann. Follow the notice for your address: a Boil Water Notice and a Do Not Consume Notice have different instructions. This historical report does not recommend boiling as a treatment for chemical parameters.

Frequently asked questions

What does this Lead report cover?

5,270 monitoring records across 5 available monitoring year(s): 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. The selected source is Lead. National totals come directly from EPA records, not a sum of towns.

What is the Irish drinking-water requirement for Lead?

10 µg/l. Current transitional value; Schedule 1 requires 5 µg/l by 12 January 2036. Historical records retain their originally reported limits.

Does boiling water remove lead?

No. Uisce Éireann states that boiling does not remove lead. Use its lead guidance for property-specific testing and advice; do not apply microbial Boil Water Notice advice as a lead-removal method.

Can I compare the recorded Lead values with the standard?

Monitoring unit metadata have not been verified in this import. Numeric and censored records are counted separately; no concentration median, maximum or compliance rate is inferred from them. Listed records keep the units supplied by the separate EPA exceedance dataset.

Does a place link give the current Lead result at my address?

No. It identifies a place with a mapped supply and historical monitoring. It is not a test of every property. Check current Uisce Éireann supply information using your Eircode.

Sources and methodology

Monitoring data
EPA Ireland: drinking-water monitoring data: public-supply monitoring results and the separate listed exceedance records, 2021–2025.
Counting
Source records are counted once across schemes. A sample is identified by its scheme, sample ID and date. Listed exceedances are not inferred from numeric results.
Interpretation
Text and censored results are not converted to numbers. Missing values are not zero. Records do not establish conditions in an individual home or an official compliance rate.

Read the full methodologyView data sources