There are very serious impacts from not having access to high quality free drinking water and more needs to be done in this area, according to Dr Grace O’Malley, senior author of the ‘Uisce Cliste: Healthy Hydration for Dublin’ report* launched in April.

“It’s known worldwide that access to drinking water is a social determinant of health. If (people) don’t have access to free, high quality drinking water, it can affect the kidneys, heart health, learning and mood. Also, we substitute water with other drinks that aren’t as healthy, especially as they are advertised all the time and pushed on children,” she said.