The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) welcomes the publication of the EPA's Drinking Water Quality in Private Group Schemes and Small Private Supplies (Note 1) - 2025 report.
The report provides an important assessment of the current state of private water supplies and, significantly, highlights the progress being made by the group water scheme (GWS) sector in protecting public health and improving drinking water quality standards. Importantly, the report demonstrates that approximately 99% of the 194,000-population served by group water schemes received drinking water from supplies that had no E. coli exceedance during 2025.
Significant Improvements
The NFGWS is encouraged by the report's findings that E. coli compliance in private group water schemes improved substantially during 2025, rising to 96.2% of supplies from 93.7% in 2024. The number of schemes failing the standard fell from 24 schemes in 2024 to 14 schemes in 2025, while the number of consumers affected reduced significantly from approximately 4,085 people to 1,854 people.
The improvements reflect the commitment of group water scheme staff and boards, and all who support them in their operations. These rural communities continue to invest considerable time, expertise and resources into delivering safe drinking water to their members.
Continued Focus Required
While the progress recorded in the report is welcome, the NFGWS recognises that any failure is one too many and there can be no complacency when it comes to drinking water quality.
The report identifies a small number of schemes with recurring E. coli compliance issues and highlights the continued challenge of trihalomethanes (THMs), with 17 group water schemes failing the THM standard during 2025. These findings reinforce the need for continued investment in treatment systems, source protection measures and infrastructure upgrades, supported by government. Indeed, many of the GWSs impacted in the report are at various stages of progressing publicly funded projects.
The Federation agrees that improvements must continue across the sector. Every exceedance represents a matter requiring attention, and all stakeholders must remain focused on achieving full compliance and safeguarding public health.
Investment Through Capital Funding Supports
The improvements identified in the report have not occurred by chance. Group water schemes have consistently engaged with supports available under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP), utilising government funding to upgrade treatment facilities, improve operational performance, strengthen resilience and address water quality challenges.
The NFGWS also welcomes this week's announcement by Government of a €175 million Capital Funding Programme for Rural Water Services, which represents a significant and timely investment in the future of rural water infrastructure.(Note 2)
This funding programme will provide an important opportunity for group water schemes throughout rural Ireland to address critical infrastructure requirements, modernise treatment facilities, improve network resilience and respond to increasingly demanding regulatory requirements.
The Federation looks forward to working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, local authorities and member schemes to ensure that these investments deliver tangible benefits for rural communities.
The progress highlighted in the EPA's 2025 report demonstrates what can be achieved through partnership, investment and community commitment. With the continued support of Government and the sector's ongoing dedication to improvement, the NFGWS is confident that further advances in drinking water quality can be delivered across rural Ireland.
Distinguishing Report Results
While the report examines both group water schemes (referred to as Private Group Schemes [PGS] in the report) and Small Private Supplies (SPS), it is important to recognise the differing nature of these water services. GWSs are community owned and community operated, supplying water to groups of rural households and businesses. The NFGWS is not involved with Small Private Supplies (SPS).
Group water schemes operate within a structured framework of governance, regulation, technical support and investment. The improvements reported by the EPA demonstrate that this model continues to deliver positive outcomes for rural water consumers and supports the long-term objective of achieving the highest possible drinking water quality standards.
Notes:
- The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) is the representative organisation for the community-owned group water scheme sector in Ireland (i.e. ‘private group schemes [PGS]’). It does not represent ‘small private supplies (SPS)’.
- Government Announces €175 Million Capital Funding Programme for Rural Water Services
