Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/kuruneko

Irish Water proposes adding chemical to supply to help stop lead poisoning

Orthophosphate is used internationally to help prevent lead poisoning.

IRISH WATER HAS proposed adding a chemical called orthophosphate to the water supply to help deal with the issue of lead pipes still in the system.

The chemical has been used internationally as a means of preventing lead poisoning by coating lead pipes from the inside.

The measure is currently in use in the United Kingdom and North America.

Orthophosphate works by reducing corrosion from the inside of the pipes.

It contains levels of phosphoric acid – used as a food additive – comparable to what might be found in meat or dairy.

This comes as Irish Water has today launched its public consultation process on how it plans to deal with lead in the water system.

What will Irish Water do? 

Besides adding orthophosphate to the water system Irish Water also plans to take around 40,000 lead pipes out of the water system over the next five years. 

While the utility has said that it is confident that the water has been removed from the public water distribution mains, they remain in use in a number of shared backyard pipes around the country – and these are the ones that will be targeted for replacement.

Customers who find that they still have lead pipes in their own homes have responsibility for replacing their own pipes, and are advised to consult a plumber if they are unsure what their pipes are made of.

All homeowners with properties built before 1980 are being asked to check their plumbing for lead pipes, with the utility estimating that around 180,000 homes and business could still be affected.

Taking lead pipes out of the system 

Not everybody is affected equally by lead.

The outdated material presents a serious health risk for young children and pregnant women, as lead can impact on the developing brain.

Over the past decades the exposure of Irish people to lead has been reduced with its removal from petrol and paint.

Irish Water is hoping that its new plan will help bring the Irish water supply in line with EU drinking water regulations, which aim to have lead in water at no more than 10 parts per billion.

Public consultation will be open for the next 8 weeks and more details of how to make a submission are available on Irish Water’s website.

Read: FactCheck: Is Pat Rabbitte right about RTE’s coverage of water charges?

Also: Irish Water revenue from bills slashed almost in half

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
109 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Duggan
    Favourite Stephen Duggan
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:16 AM

    Chemicals added to water to counteract other chemicals, sounds like a fantastic idea altogether. Where’s Erin Brockovich when you need her?

    396
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OU812
    Favourite OU812
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:23 AM

    They’re already putting dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) in the pipes.

    DHMO is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:

    - Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
    - Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
    - Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
    - DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
    - Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
    - Contributes to soil erosion.
    - Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
    - Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.
    - Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
    - Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
    - Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.
    - Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.

    135
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BlueSkyThinking
    Favourite BlueSkyThinking
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:27 AM

    DHMO = H20 :-)

    51
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Farrelly
    Favourite Ciarán Farrelly
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:28 AM

    Best comment of the day

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BlueSkyThinking
    Favourite BlueSkyThinking
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:36 AM

    Personally I don’t think lead pipes in houses are a big issue. If all the mains lead pipes are replaced then the the only bit of lead pipe you might have is the length of pipe from the footpath outside your house into your kitchen tap. Water needs contact time for the lead to migrate into your drinking water. Modern houses have washing machines, heating systems, flush toilets and dishwashers, so there is a constant flow of water into the house and the contact time for the water in this short length of lead pipe is pretty minimal. As an extra precaution, first thing in the morning or when you come home after work, let the tap run for a minute to flush out the water that may be standing in the pipe for a few hours before drinking the tap water.
    The ortho-phosphate thing will never run as there are currently too many leaks in the water supply (40% lost) and they would ultimately be in breach of the water directive for adding phosphate to (indirectly) to rivers and ground water.

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Brady
    Favourite Stephen Brady
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:00 AM

    Typical the cheap way out as usual.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:08 AM

    Fluoride is state sponsored forced mass medication of a poisonous chemical

    112
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
    Favourite An_Beal_Bocht
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:39 AM

    Ah yes the usual weekly report from mainstream media quoting Irish water as the responsible body, completely ignoring the fact that on the ground it’s actually the beleaguered local authorities who still man the pumps, all Irish water have done is add an extra duplicated layer of bureaucracy and contracted out an expensive metering instalment process

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Motherofdivinejebus
    Favourite Motherofdivinejebus
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 11:28 AM

    @ The Journal – any chance you can do an article on Irish Water being prosecuted and fined for poisoning approximately 3000 fish in a tributary of the Tullamore river? mostly Trout with other species such as salmon and lamprey?
    It was only published yesterday Journal, so it might take a month for you lot to find the story, heres a link to it though…..#
    http://www.fliuch.org/irish-water-prosecuted-over-midlands-river-fish-kill/

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
    Favourite NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:17 AM

    You are supposed to replace the lead pipe not put chemicals into the lead pipe! Bunch of fools

    268
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:43 AM

    Bit hard to do that when nobody’s paying, in fairness.

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
    Favourite NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:52 AM

    Give the people a referendum, sack the gravy train staff Enda appointed, stop the regressive billing & use the 8 billion in reserves offered by the credit union to finally modernise Irelands water network. In fairness

    157
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jindrich Marz
    Favourite Jindrich Marz
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:52 AM

    Irish Water got enough money to do the job. Instead of starting to make the water drinkable they wasted millions on meters which are not in use. In my country,when we started to pay for water they placed meters on the pipes, not in the ground and under roads. It lasted about ten minutes for two people to install one meter. It takes a week in here, large group of “workers” and broken roads and footpaths. That’s where the money went. Absolute mismanagement.

    179
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Behan
    Favourite Les Behan
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:11 AM

    “Bit hard to do that when nobody’s paying, in fairness.”

    You’ve got to love the Blueshirt Tory supporters, it’s the people’s fault ,not the years of governmental mismanagement.

    Here Neal you’re here long enough to know the story so why do you insist on using this falsehood of “nobody’s paying”. Although this coming from a man who thinks he’s a comedian yet he’s as about as funny as an STD.

    126
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Joseph McDermott
    Favourite John Joseph McDermott
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:18 AM

    Irish Water need another 1.2 billion (conservative estimate) to lay a new water pipeline from the Shannon to Dublin. No wonder the gov are angry at the water tax revolution.
    The farmers are also objecting to the pipeline because (although they will be generously compensated for the pipe which will be 4 metres below ground) they look upon it as a “resource grab” which will be sold for untold billions down the line.Cunning farmers..they are right!!

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Joseph McDermott
    Favourite John Joseph McDermott
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:21 AM

    Jindrich,they were afraid that none of the installers would be allowed inside the houses to put a meter on the pipes. Also it would be easier to divert water into an unmetered pipe.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jindrich Marz
    Favourite Jindrich Marz
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:31 AM

    John, they never considered that option. It’s Ireland, they need to give something to friends and election donors.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jindrich Marz
    Favourite Jindrich Marz
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:36 AM

    It is not so easy to divert the water in such a manner that control would not find it. The way I am talking about works in many EU countries, and it works. In here, we got meters but all paying the same. I pay for my shower as much as those with swimming pool inside their home. It’s all the same.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Tooher
    Favourite Declan Tooher
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:02 AM

    Stop with that common sense talk now.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cormac o connell
    Favourite cormac o connell
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:17 AM

    Piss off about Irish water…Its a dead duck..they could inject gold into that water system and it still will not be fixed

    244
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Hopper
    Favourite Chris Hopper
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:16 AM

    Well said cormac

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 7:22 PM

    The amount of money wasted on this quango they probably could have plated all the piping in gold, f c k n wasters

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Waters
    Favourite Niall Waters
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:42 AM

    I’m surprised they haven’t paid the consultant and marketing team to put a logo on the pipes to resolve this issue.

    225
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Em Ni Mhurchu
    Favourite Em Ni Mhurchu
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:17 AM

    Now that made me laugh!

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mark duffy
    Favourite mark duffy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:45 AM

    Is that not a bit like spraying Lynx on yourself instead of just having a shower?

    168
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D'unredactable
    Favourite D'unredactable
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:06 PM

    Dry cleaning……by BO Baracus!!

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jake Orb
    Favourite Jake Orb
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:16 AM

    Great, add more shit to the flouride already in the water…

    168
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Maher
    Favourite Thomas Maher
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:52 PM

    You just got to love Irish Water. The car crash you just have to keep watching.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Moran
    Favourite Peter Moran
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:15 AM

    F off

    146
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Hughes
    Favourite Brendan Hughes
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 2:02 PM

    Phosphoric acid is one of the main ingredients in Coca cola and every other cola product. Thats the stuff that cleans the rust and dirt off the coins and keys. It’s also the bit that rotts your teeth. But you can’t complain if you are a coke drinker. That’s a bit hypocritical.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The spokesman
    Favourite The spokesman
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:18 AM

    Global conspiracy. Control the water, control the people.

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Heery
    Favourite Gerard Heery
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:16 AM

    Enough chemicals in water

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Mitchell
    Favourite Ken Mitchell
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:44 AM

    Water is a chemical

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Heery
    Favourite Gerard Heery
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:48 AM

    Like your wit

    12
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Mitchell
    Favourite Ken Mitchell
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 11:03 AM

    Well wit is due to brain chemistry… so yeah…

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ward
    Favourite John Ward
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:17 AM

    More bollocks!

    120
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy
    Favourite Willy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:42 AM

    Thought they were gone. FF/FG will use media in every way to keep them relevant. Soon to reintroduce charges in new way.. Try understand Me hole and ends , the bankers charge that broke the Irish back will never be accepted ..

    119
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Nolan
    Favourite Andrew Nolan
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:16 AM

    I’m selling tinfoil if anybody is interested. It makes lovely hats.

    112
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Tooher
    Favourite Declan Tooher
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:00 AM

    Do you sell any lead free piping for use by water service companies?. They might find use for some of it before charging for water, horse before cart and all that lark.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Brady
    Favourite Stephen Brady
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:08 AM

    Andrew you should watch blue gold or many other documentaries that are made on the subject. Big corporations are grabbing as much fresh water as they can all over the planet.

    45
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Piotrek Król
    Favourite Piotrek Król
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:44 AM

    Very clever Andrew, with your jaded tinfoil hat cliché. Good man.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paulo mclawlor
    Favourite Paulo mclawlor
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:48 AM

    They can shove their lead pipes up their fiscal space.

    112
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tonzst Corbett
    Favourite Tonzst Corbett
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:18 AM

    Oh FFS we already have fluoride to contend with, that’s all we need another chemical!!! As if incidents of cancer sent high enough. Just once I really like someone in these positions to make an actual informed, intelligent decisions that doesn’t involve more poison !!!!!

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Murphy
    Favourite Gary Murphy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:34 AM

    So what are you saying? That flouride is the only chemical added to water? And that no chemicals should be added because all chemicals are bad? There are at least seven different chemicals added to water at the moment, without them you would probably die from drinking the water. But carry on with your ignorance in thinking all chemicals are bad.
    Water itself is a chemical for God’s sake. the lack of knowledge people have about their water is staggering.

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Gorman
    Favourite James Gorman
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:56 AM

    Corbett fluoridation of water does not cause cancer. Nothing intelligent about your comment.

    41
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:01 AM

    Fluoride is an industrial waste product that is causing cancer and is being force fed to us

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nick Allen
    Favourite Nick Allen
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:04 AM

    Tonzst

    And what are you basing your informed comment on?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Mitchell
    Favourite Ken Mitchell
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 11:08 AM

    Fluoride is mined from the mineral fluorspar and that type is used in Ireland. It can also be made through an agricultural side product process and it has no chemical difference, also last time I checked chemicals don’t remember how they were made

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Slim Browne
    Favourite Slim Browne
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:19 AM

    They can put chemicals up their led pipe for all I care

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marg murphy
    Favourite Marg murphy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:32 AM

    Irish water? You mean they haven’t gone away.

    100
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MK76
    Favourite MK76
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:11 AM

    Nope. Nor will they.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D'unredactable
    Favourite D'unredactable
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:18 PM

    MK47…..is that a threat or a premise!?!…..never bring a fairy bottle to a power-hose fight!

    34
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MK76
    Favourite MK76
    Report
    Jul 28th 2016, 12:29 AM

    What premise are you referring to? The one that most people on these forums are card carrying members of Entitlement Ireland?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret O Moore
    Favourite Margaret O Moore
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:45 AM

    What a load of crap !! Cllr Ciaran O Moore fought and got a grant for the removal of the pipes fifty thousand is the limit not 70 water can be tested for 10 euro in the national test center at old Patrick Dunns hospital Dublin bring 2 samples and results take 10 days belive nothing from Irish water fact been they broke the pipes allowing the lead into the water

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute talkingsense
    Favourite talkingsense
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:00 AM

    The level of idiot on this site has reached new hights

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Brady
    Favourite Colin Brady
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:48 AM

    First thing Irish Water did was spend millions putting in meters instead they should of replaced all lead pipes, now they want to put chemicals in the Water. Good lads

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:14 AM

    Already force medicate us with a known poisonous neurotoxin and pretend its good for teeth LOL. Let me worry about my teeth and take tge csncer causing poisonous filth fluoride out

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Mitchell
    Favourite Ken Mitchell
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 11:05 AM

    Actually water in itself is a more toxic neurotoxin than fluoride, it depends on the dosage and how much you injest. Basic chemistry

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cormac Mulhall
    Favourite Cormac Mulhall
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:29 AM

    The anti-science tin foil hat brigade are out in full I see. Also water is itself a chemical.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mise Éire
    Favourite Mise Éire
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:35 AM

    It’s not anti science to logically come to the conclusion that the best course of action would be to replace the lead pipes, not add a particular chemical to the entire water network.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ross Stewart
    Favourite Ross Stewart
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:42 AM

    Are you saying people shouldn’t be worried about a continuous ingestion of phosphates or preservatives? Yeah water is a chemical. PCBs are too – see the difference? it’s not an anti science, anti chemical brigade. It’s an ‘anti enforced ingestion of man-made chemicals that could potentially be harmful’ brigade. I’d wait for more safety sureties than just Irish water and USA. After all USA has a history of being too late to ban harmful chemicals.

    70
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cormac Mulhall
    Favourite Cormac Mulhall
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:46 AM

    @mise Eire Replacing the lead pipes will take €400m and 10 years to replace the pipes. It is anti science (and illogical) to leave system as it is cause orthophosphate is a “chemical” and is therefore some how bad or evil

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cormac Mulhall
    Favourite Cormac Mulhall
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:55 AM

    @ross Do you have any reason to be worried Ross, other than a general ignorance if what “man made” means? I’ve got some naturally occurring 100% organic lead here, you want that instead? Completely natural!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mise Éire
    Favourite Mise Éire
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:53 AM

    I understand what you’re saying however, those who currently are charged with making these decisions could simply petition Michael Noonan through their department to get the Government to issue a 10 year bond for €400m and roll over the debt with a re-issuing into the future meaning over time the cost is offset by inflation. How do you think Ireland still has the lights on post crash? Extend and pretend. Keep a steady ship and look presentable to FDI. But we sold ourselves short and let key assets be sold off far below replacement cost. It is a clear political policy of those in decision making positions to privatise key national infrastructure to repay private funds and oligarchs who bankroll certain political parties. Sometimes the private sector are more suited to running certain things. Other times for various reasons such as national security or energy security the state needs to run and control national infrastructure. Watch what is about to happen with broadband infrastructure in Ireland.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Murphy
    Favourite Gary Murphy
    Report
    Jul 28th 2016, 12:34 AM

    Man made chemicals are bad? Natural ones are good? Let’s close down all the pharmaceutical companies so.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shakka1244
    Favourite Shakka1244
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:44 AM

    Oh the irony.

    IW telling us that we need to add additional chemicals to our water supply to mitigate the risk of contamination from lead piping. What about if the €1.2 Billion of our money used to create this useless quango was spent on replacing lead piping, we wouldn’t be where we are now.

    It’s like paying a consultant €2000 to tell you what’s wrong with your car when you could have gone to a mechanic and got it fixed for €1000.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ray Coleman
    Favourite Ray Coleman
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:47 PM

    Right, so all the years that the various councils knew about this and did nothing is IWs fault? So you want everything to back the way it was, to Councils that never developed lead mitigation measures, that did not resolve the continuance of foul water to enter our streams and rivers untreated? Yeah that’s a good idea. Spend millions wasting money changing everything back to what it was, to a system that did not work. Throw away all the advances in IT and data management that IW are investing in to drag our water services up to standard all because a minority of people did not want to pay for water? Totally. I agree with you.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MK76
    Favourite MK76
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:21 AM

    They are trying to add mind controlling drugs to the water, so people will pay their charges.

    But they won’t fool me. I’m going to buy my water in the supermarket. Now where’s my tin foil hat…..

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Cunningham
    Favourite Paul Cunningham
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:32 AM

    Wouldn’t surprise me to be honest if they did invent a mind control chemical before fixing any pipes.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
    Favourite NO 2 FF/FG/LAB
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:02 AM

    Might work out cheaper for them aswell

    18
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Newell
    Favourite Tom Newell
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:27 AM

    wont take much to control yours and the minds of supporters of the political class in this country, in fact I doubt they will even need to use any chemicals, ud have to be able to think for yourselves for them to work in the first place…..

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chlorines72
    Favourite Chlorines72
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:56 AM
    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Brady
    Favourite Jim Brady
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:50 AM

    Mmmmm, yummy.
    Orthophosphate, my favourite!

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Hopper
    Favourite Chris Hopper
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:12 AM

    The journal at their usual psy ops bull on behalf of the Fine Gael National corporate party. Great idea pump chemicals into the water along with the HSE drugging the nation with fluoride into the water too. Irish Water are vermin who’s the crowd supplying the chemical ? Why don’t you tell us that instead of your usual rhetoric. The gospels according to Denis and Sutherland. Gutter Journalists

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Limerick On The Web
    Favourite Limerick On The Web
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:02 AM

    This is a joke because Existing lead pipes already have a coating that has built up over the years , putting another chemical in our water could potentially release this coating from the pipes and have a disastrous effect on the water we drink . For Irish water to coat or seal the lead pipes they would first have to clean them , its not possible to do .

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
    Favourite Drew TheChinaman :)
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 8:39 AM

    They should add lithium too… Studies show there are significantly less crazy and depressed people in areas of naturally high lithium in the water supply.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Walsh
    Favourite Martin Walsh
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:45 AM

    Get bent irish water..if they work for the irish people they must do the job..thats like the council asking for money to cut the grass..just fk right off.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:22 AM

    Why don’t the government tell us where the fluoride they medicate us with comes from ? Who gets paid to offload their filthy poison and then our government put it in our water because they care about our teeth LOL

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malachi
    Favourite Malachi
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:33 PM

    Long time Fluoride drinker here. Can confirm – not dead. Really not dead. In good health.

    In fact, I’m surprisingly healthy for someone who has been, according to you, downing litres of diluted poison every day for decades.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 2:44 PM

    Has a dumbing effect on brain apparently

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:04 AM

    Where does the industrial waste product fluoride come from ? Who gets paid for the poisonous filth they put in our water to protect our teeth LOL

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Salter
    Favourite George Salter
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:05 AM

    Phosphoric acid is in Coca Cola and noone seems to care about that too much, or have noticed adverse effects. Sugar -related effects, yes, but not from the flavourings.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TTIP McGowan
    Favourite TTIP McGowan
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:48 PM

    Wouldn’t it have been nice to use the billion we’ve thrown into this black hole?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute €uromancer
    Favourite €uromancer
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:39 AM

    We have dihydrogen monoxide coming out of our pipes. It’s lethal in large amounts, especially if it fills the respiratory tract. Millions of people have been directly killed by it. Many others have died because of a dependency on dihydrogen monoxide.
    Philanthropists such as Denis O’Brien and numerous politicians have imposed severe double charges on users to limit their exposure to such a nefarious chemical. His altruistic intentions for the people of Ireland are in vain, as the people just can’t seem to do without the stuff and resist charges. Being charged twice for dihydrogen monoxide is for the public’s protection, not a sinister opportunistic way to screw money out of his fellow countrymen. O’Brien’s not paying a penny tax proves the charitable status of his actions.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Harpur
    Favourite Tom Harpur
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:04 AM

    Adding chemicals to our water supply to control us

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malachi
    Favourite Malachi
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:37 PM

    Yes, the Irish Government have added a mystery “zombie chemical” to the water supply that takes over the minds of the populace and convinces them to re-elect FG.

    lol

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Óg Mac Gearailt
    Favourite Seán Óg Mac Gearailt
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:07 AM

    Any chance of Irish people growing up and paying for the water they use, and being financially punished for wasting water? That water that is supplied to your tap costs money. Otherwise stop being parasites and walk down to the pump/well and get your own water.

    By all means punish Fine Gael for the ineffably incompetent and corrupt way it set Irish Water up to look after “the lads” via massive consultancy contracts and overstaffing and then trying to privatise it down the road.

    How apt that such mé féiner parasites are the representative government for their equally parasitic anti-water charges opponents. I despair at the shortsightedness of the Irish people.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Em Ni Mhurchu
    Favourite Em Ni Mhurchu
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:21 AM

    Pretty pathetic trolling attempt Sean….yawn

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Behan
    Favourite Les Behan
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:25 AM

    ” I despair at the shortsightedness of the Irish people.”

    Shortsightedness would be paying for water multiple time, stupidity too!

    45
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter donnelly
    Favourite Peter donnelly
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:45 AM

    @ sean og, er sean just a reminder WE ALREADY PAY FOR WATER through a specific % on fuel and other tax`s, I have no problem paying for water but I wont sit back and allow edna and co rip me off any more, govt squandered millions in setting up IW which should of been used to fix the water system instead of fancy new offices, ultra modern gym`s etc the amount of waste of public money is simply disgraceful and those responsible should be shot….

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amanda Kennedy
    Favourite Amanda Kennedy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:49 AM

    Oh what a fool you are.. lol

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnnie Barrett
    Favourite Johnnie Barrett
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:11 PM

    Irish Water are responsible for the high levels of lead in the pipes at the moment.
    One of my family members got water tested after receiving a letter from Irish Water about lead concerns. The lead levels were through the roof after Irish Water cut the lead pipes in broadstone to place new meters. Old lead pipes are safe until you cut them and expose fresh pipes

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seth Cheffetz
    Favourite Seth Cheffetz
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:57 AM

    How about removing the lead?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amanda Kennedy
    Favourite Amanda Kennedy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:47 AM

    You have to do that yourself laughable

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Clarke
    Favourite Yvonne Clarke
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 4:33 PM

    “Irish Water” lol, they really are a scream

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jo45
    Favourite Jo45
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 11:01 AM

    I wish they would stop adding fluoride. Considering how little tap water people drink it is an unnecessary expense

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Mitchell
    Favourite Ken Mitchell
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 11:11 AM

    At 2 euro a person, it prevents on avg 3 fillings a year

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 6:00 PM

    Seriously do you actually believe the gov care about your facking teeth. Pleeease

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Conroy
    Favourite Eugene Conroy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 4:41 PM

    Listened to IW do interviews on 3 different radio stations today namely news talk RTE and 2cm. Although the spokesmen were different they all had almost identical format and answers to identical questions put to them by DOB lackies. Well done boys for having everything in unison

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jester VonDoom
    Favourite Jester VonDoom
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 12:04 PM

    mind control wake up sheeple. they live!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Gough
    Favourite Patrick Gough
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:09 AM

    lead poisoning and chemical poisoning is the price of not paying.good value for money I say. I don’t mind dying of lead poisoning so long as I don’t have to pay 2 euros a week

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Hopper
    Favourite Chris Hopper
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:21 AM

    It’s not about 2 euro a week it’s who and why the majority won’t pay 2 euro a week. Return water services to the local authorities to prevent Alan Kelly’s brother stealing our water. Already pay 600 a year on bottled water to Aldi.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amanda Kennedy
    Favourite Amanda Kennedy
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:50 AM

    We already pay.. i dont think people are getting that into their tick heads.. one more time…WE ALREADY PAY… do you understand now?????

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute @mdmak33
    Favourite @mdmak33
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 1:30 PM

    And you have to pay yourself to have the new pipe connected from mains to your stopcock.mains are being put to front of house,on public road,so you have to dig through your house to connect if stopcock is out the back and pay for it.this cannot be right.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute €uromancer
    Favourite €uromancer
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 2:00 PM

    Things ain’t what they used to be. Even the tin foil hats are aluminium these days.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute euro-skeptic 888
    Favourite euro-skeptic 888
    Report
    Aug 1st 2016, 8:45 PM

    This study show we shouldn’t be messing with phosphates, Not to mention pregnant woman,http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3120105/ we should be taking out(Cryptosporidium) not adding in EG orthophosphate , and so on

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute euro-skeptic 888
    Favourite euro-skeptic 888
    Report
    Aug 1st 2016, 9:07 PM

    This study show we shouldn’t be messing with phosphates, Not to mention the effects on pregnant woman long term ,http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3120105/ we should be taking out(Cryptosporidium) not adding in EG orthophosphate. we should be stripping out chemicals in our water
    god knows what the effects are in combination with fluoride and even with glyphosate‎ who being found to be ubiquitous
    eg everywhere, in our water, in our bodies ,in our food and also in tandem with PCB plastic’s as well.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Kirwan
    Favourite Kevin Kirwan
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 9:15 PM

    Lead pipes were in the news in June last year….and a grant was introduced in February 2016

    http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/domestic_lead_remediation_financial_assistance_regulations_2016.pdf

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tally ho
    Favourite tally ho
    Report
    Jul 27th 2016, 10:40 PM

    Orthophosphate has miniscule amounts of a highly addictive compound which attacks and softens the backbone. Slowly but surely it diminishes willpower causing a collapse of the decision making process. Eventually it causes a complete psychological dependence on the source – water – which will become the most sought after, gladly paid for utility…..

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds