Drinking water quality in Westmeath has improved, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland, a Report for the Year 2010.

The report assesses the safety and security of drinking water supplies in Ireland for the year 2010.

Drinking water in Westmeath was assessed by analysing a number of parameters. For human health, the microbiological parameters are the most important, as they can indicate a potential risk - in particular E coli which indicates that human or animal waste has entered a water supply.

Chemical parameters are also important as long term exposure can cause a potential risk to human health.

The report shows that drinking water in Westmeath achieved 100% compliance with microbiological parameters, which is consistent with 2009 and 98.8% compliance with chemical limits, which represents an increase in quality compared with 98.4% in 2009.

www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/water/drinking/Drinking_web.pdf and contains summary reports for all local authorities.