COUNCIL ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATION IN LEAD PIPES CONTROVERSY

Date Published: 21-Apr-2009

The City Council is being accused of discrimination against some city people who cannot afford to replace lead pipes in their homes.At last night's meeting, Director of Services, Ciarán Hayes said that the Council would increase the provision of bottled water to those who request it.This follows the lead contamination crisis late last year which affected Old Mervue, Shantalla, the Claddagh, Bohermore and other parts of the city.Mr Hayes said the Council is upgrading the public pipe infrastructure in Old Mervue in the city and it's the responsibility of householders themselves to connect to it from the tap.He said that he cannot sustain providing free bottled water and water tanks on an ongoing basis once the new water system is up and running, from September onwards.Council members want a grant system set up to help householders pay for the replacement of lead piping.