Irish Water is to begin adding a chemical to Limerick city water to tackle the presence of lead in the supply.

The pilot programme has been approved by the HSE and the Environmental Protection Agency and will get underway at the end of the month.

A food-grade substance called orthophosphate will be added to treated drinking water which will put a coating on lead pipes, and reduce the amount entering the water.

Irish Water says it wants to reassure people in Limerick that the method is safe, and has been used in 'many countries for many years'.