Bacteria
- E. coli
- Coliform bacteria
- Enterococci
PRIVATE WELL WATER IN IRELAND
Have a Private Well? You May Qualify for Up to €1,000 Towards Water Treatment.
If your private well water does not meet the required standards, financial assistance may be available for approved water-treatment works.
Aqua24 helps homeowners understand their independent laboratory results and choose suitable water-treatment solutions.
Grant eligibility and approved works are determined by your local authority. Aqua24 cannot guarantee financial assistance.
Your Water Can Look Clear and Still Contain Unwanted Substances
Private wells can be affected by naturally occurring minerals, bacteria and agricultural contamination. Changes in water quality are not always visible. An independent laboratory analysis helps identify potential problems and select appropriate treatment.
Minerals and Metals
- Iron
- Manganese
- Hardness
- Other metals, where tested
Agricultural and Chemical Indicators
- Nitrates
- Nitrites
- Ammonia
Different wells require different tests. Not every laboratory package checks every possible contaminant. A result within limits for some parameters does not, by itself, show that the supply is satisfactory for every use.
Government Assistance for Private Well Water Treatment
UP TO
€1,000
Towards qualifying, locally approved water-treatment works.
Ireland’s Well Grant Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible households relying on private water supplies. Where approved water-quality treatment is required, the scheme can cover up to 100% of eligible treatment costs, subject to a maximum grant of €1,000.
Water Treatment
Up to €1,000
100% of approved eligible water-treatment costs, subject to the scheme’s maximum.
Existing Well Rehabilitation
Up to €3,000
85% of approved eligible rehabilitation costs, subject to the scheme’s maximum.
New Well
Up to €5,000
85% of approved eligible new-well costs, subject to the scheme’s maximum.
The scheme has a minimum grant threshold of €750. Different categories of assistance have separate requirements. The local authority determines eligibility and approved expenditure. Not every application receives the maximum amount.
View Official Government Grant InformationCould Your Home Qualify?
These are the main published conditions. Your local authority makes the final decision.
- The property is your normal place of residence.
- Your household uses a private well or borehole.
- Your home cannot connect to an Uisce Éireann public supply or a group water scheme.
- The home was built at least seven years ago.
- A grant to provide or improve the home’s water supply has not been paid within the previous seven years.
- The water supply has a qualifying quality or quantity problem.
Holiday homes are not eligible.
Testing Your Well Water: Four Simple Steps
Step 1
Confirm the Right Test
If you plan to apply for a government grant, first confirm your council’s sampling and laboratory requirements. If you simply want to understand your household water quality, you can order an appropriate domestic drinking-water test directly from an independent laboratory.
Step 2
Order an Independent Test
ALS Life Sciences Ireland offers laboratory analysis for private drinking-water supplies, including domestic wells. ALS is an independent laboratory. It is not an Aqua24 partner, and Aqua24 does not receive payment for tests ordered there.
View ALS Water TestingALS provides laboratory analysis but does not provide the on-site sample-collection service required by some councils for grant applications.
Step 3
Collect and Return the Sample
For self-sampling orders, the laboratory provides appropriate sample containers and instructions. Follow all supplied instructions carefully, particularly for microbiological samples. Return the sample using the procedure and timing required by the laboratory. For grant applications requiring professional collection, follow the procedure approved by your local authority.
Step 4
Receive Your Results
The laboratory provides a Certificate of Analysis. ALS normally indicates a turnaround of approximately 7–10 working days after receipt, depending on the testing involved. Different reports or test groups may arrive separately. Once available, email the laboratory results to sales@aqua24.ie.
What Can a Drinking-Water Analysis Show?
For the standard ALS domestic drinking-water package, the published test list includes:
- E. coli
- Enterococci
- Coliform bacteria
- Iron
- Manganese
- Hardness
- Nitrates
- Nitrites
- Ammonia
- pH
- Chloride
- Conductivity
Additional parameters, such as lead, arsenic, fluoride, pesticides or other contaminants, may require different or additional tests. The correct testing requirements depend on the property, water source and intended use of the results.
Already Have Your Water Test Results?
Send Your Laboratory Report to Aqua24 for a Free Review.
Email the report to Aqua24. We will review the information provided, identify parameters that may require attention and suggest suitable AQUAPHOR water-treatment options where appropriate. You can then request a quotation without any obligation to purchase.
- Free initial report review
- Suitable treatment recommendations
- No obligation to purchase
Send your laboratory report to sales@aqua24.ie.
What to include
- Your name, phone number, county and Eircode
- Whether the supply is a private well, borehole or another source
- The main water problem, if you already know it
- Whether you are interested in grant assistance: yes, no or not sure
- The laboratory certificate as a PDF or a clear photo. Chemical and microbiological certificates can both be attached.
Aqua24 uses these details to reply to your enquiry and recommend suitable water-treatment options. Sending the email does not add you to a mailing list, and there is no obligation to purchase.
From Water Analysis to the Right Treatment Solution
1
Test
Obtain an independent laboratory analysis.
2
Send
Email your water report to Aqua24.
3
Review
We examine the parameters reported by the laboratory.
4
Recommendation
We recommend appropriate water-treatment options, where suitable solutions are available.
5
Quotation
Receive an equipment quotation and information about installation arrangements.
Aqua24’s recommendation is not a government grant approval, laboratory certification or guarantee that a particular treatment system will resolve every water-quality issue.
Water Treatment Selected for Your Water Quality
Different water problems require different treatment approaches. Depending on laboratory results, Aqua24 may recommend suitable AQUAPHOR equipment for drinking-water treatment, filtration or softening.
Drinking Water Filtration
Selected drinking-water filtration systems, including reverse osmosis where appropriate. A standard reverse-osmosis system is not a universal answer for every private-well problem.
Water Softeners
Systems for managing hardness and certain water-quality characteristics where the product specification supports that use. A softener used only to reduce ordinary hardness is not automatically eligible for a treatment grant.
Whole-House / Pre-Filtration
Filtration solutions chosen according to the identified problem and required capacity.
Where a complete solution requires specialist equipment, disinfection, well remediation or other services that Aqua24 does not provide, further specialist assessment may be necessary.
How Does the Well Grant Application Work?
- 1
Step 1 — Contact Your Local Authority
Ask your local authority’s Rural Water Section about eligibility, application requirements, testing and pre-inspection.
- 2
Step 2 — Complete the Required Assessment
Obtain the water-quality analysis and other evidence requested by the local authority. The authority may require a site inspection or additional information.
- 3
Step 3 — Obtain Treatment Quotations
If treatment is appropriate, obtain quotations meeting the council’s requirements. Aqua24 can prepare an equipment quotation where it offers a suitable solution. Installation is not offered as a nationwide service.
- 4
Step 4 — Obtain the Required Approval
Wait for the local authority’s required pre-inspection and written approval before beginning qualifying works.
- 5
Step 5 — Complete Approved Works and Submit Documentation
Follow the council’s requirements for installation, invoices, evidence of payment and any post-installation testing. Grant payment is subject to the scheme requirements and approval.
Do Not Purchase or Install Treatment Expecting Grant Reimbursement Before Receiving the Required Local-Authority Approval.
A water softener used only to reduce ordinary hardness or limescale is not automatically eligible for a water-quality treatment grant. The local authority determines which works qualify.
Common Questions
Can I receive €1,000 for installing a water filter?
Not automatically. Eligible households may receive up to €1,000 towards locally approved water-quality treatment. The council determines eligibility and approved costs.
Does Aqua24 arrange the government grant?
No. Grants are administered by the relevant local authority. Aqua24 can provide information about suitable treatment options and quotations.
Can I take the water sample myself?
For general domestic testing, some laboratories accept self-collected samples. For grant applications, some local authorities require independent or professional sample collection. Check before ordering.
Does Aqua24 test my water?
No. Laboratory analysis must be carried out independently. Aqua24 reviews customer-supplied results to help identify suitable treatment options.
Is the water analysis free?
No. Independent laboratories normally charge for testing. Aqua24’s initial review of the completed laboratory report is free.
How long does water testing take?
The turnaround depends on the laboratory and requested analysis. ALS indicates approximately 7–10 working days after receipt for its domestic testing service.
Can I install a water-treatment system first and apply afterwards?
Do not begin qualifying works before obtaining the required local-authority approval if you intend to apply for the grant.
Is a water softener covered by the grant?
Not automatically. Normal hardness reduction alone does not guarantee eligibility. The relevant authority must determine that the proposed work qualifies.
Do all private-well households qualify?
No. The scheme has property, residence, water-supply and other eligibility requirements.
What happens after I send my results?
Aqua24 reviews the information and may recommend suitable treatment options. You can request a quotation without an obligation to purchase.
Can Aqua24 help customers outside Cork?
Aqua24 welcomes enquiries from across the Republic of Ireland. Equipment delivery, installation arrangements and service availability depend on location and the specific system.
What if my water test shows bacteria?
Reverse osmosis removes all bacteria and viruses.
Start With Your Water Analysis
Find out what is in your private well water before selecting a treatment system. Aqua24 can help you understand your independent laboratory report and explore suitable solutions.
Send your laboratory report to sales@aqua24.ie.
Free initial Aqua24 report review. No obligation to purchase.