Roadside Wells

Sligo County Council in conjunction with the HSE would like to remind the public that the use of water from roadside wells for drinking/food preparation is not recommended.

The water quality of roadside wells is often unacceptable and may become contaminated particularly during and following periods of heavy rainfall. Roadside wells have no form of treatment or disinfection meaning the quality of the water cannot be guaranteed.

The public are advised that drinking contaminated water can cause illness.

Private Drinking Water Supplies

DO YOU OWN/MANAGE A PRIVATE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY/WELL?

Does your drinking water supply provide water to a public or commercial activity?

or

Does your drinking water supply produce greater than 10m³ of water/day?

If the answer is YES to one of the questions above, you are required to register your supply with the Environment Section, Sligo County Council. Advice will be provided on your responsibilities under the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations, 2023 as amended. Sligo County Council will be visiting/contacting small private supplies regarding their obligations and registration across 2025.

Exempt Drinking Water Supplies/Private Wells

An exempted supply is an individual supply of less than 10 cubic meters a day on average or a supply that serves fewer than 50 persons and is not supplied as part of a commercial or public activity.

Generally, there are two main types of supply that fall into the category of exempted supplies;

1. Private Wells serving domestic dwellings.
2. Small group water schemes (generally serving less than approximately 15 houses) with no commercial activity.

Exempt supplies, such as household wells, are not covered by the Drinking Water Regulations. However, the EPA recommends that these supplies are tested for E. coli and Coliform Bacteria at least once a year, preferably following heavy rain when the supply is most at risk from contamination. These results do not have to be reported to the local authority or the EPA; but should be used by supply owners to assess their own water quality.

If you own/are responsible for a private supply, you are responsible for making sure it is safe to drink. The EPA advise not to use water from untreated private wells for drinking or food preparation as drinking contaminated water can cause illness.