Responsibility for Private Supplies
Both the Supplier and the relevant Local Authority have legal responsibilities in relation to private supplies, under the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023. Private supplies must be properly protected, monitored, regulated and funded to ensure that they meet the drinking water standards. It is essential that all people and organisations with responsibility for private supplies play their part, to protect public health and to ensure that, no matter where you live, you can be confident that your drinking water is safe.
Local Authorities have two primary roles in relation to private supplies: as a regulator, consequent to its role as supervisory authority under the Regulations: and as administrator, to the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP).
Role of Regulator
Mayo County Council is the Supervisory Authority for private supplies within Mayo. In its role as Supervisory Authority, Mayo County Council is obliged to ensure private water supplies meet the requirements of the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023.
The European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2023 sub-divide private supply types:
- Regulated Supply
- Exempt Supply
Mayo County Council has a varying degree of overseeing/enforcement responsibilities depending on the supply being regulated or exempt.
Role of Administrator
Mayo Council Council administer and distribute funding from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government through the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP).
Grant assistance is available under the Programme for capital works for:
- Group Water Schemes (GWS)
- Group Sewerage Schemes (GSS)
- Community Connections (Water and Wastewater)
- Individual Domestic Water Supplies (more commonly called private wells)
- Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (more commonly called septic tanks).
There is no funding mechanism in place for Small Private Supplies (SPS) at present.