OPPOSITION LEADER DUE IN GALWAY TO DISCUSS WATER CONTAMINATION

Date Published: 29-Sep-2008

Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny is due in Galway today amid an escalating water crisis.Tests to establish the exact cause of the contamination in the first emergency water supply in Old Mervue are due back today. The emergency water supply was suspended two days ago, after initial tests showed a lead reading well in excess of 100, four times higher than the permitted level of 25 micrograms.This is despite the fact that this supply had come from a cast iron main.Director of Water services Ciaran Hayes, says he cannot confirm the exact cause of the high levels of lead contamination found in the first emergency supply until the council receives more test results.Mr.Hayes says the results will leave them in a better position to know exactly what went wrong.In an effort to make up for the original source and the first emergency source being contaminated, the city council set up two new water tankers in Old Mervue on SaturdayBottled water continues to be sold at a subsidised price.The water in the tankers is not travelling through any pipes, but is being filled daily with water directly from the water treatment plant in Terryland.Mr.Hayes says this second emergency water supply is of excellent quality, and is safe to drink.Opposition leader, Enda Kenny is coming to Galway today to discuss the matter.