Councillors in East Clare insist their water is safe for consumption, despite a recent EPA Audit that identified a number of issues at treatment plants in Mountshannon and Scariff as well as their public supplies.
The newly published report found that both facilities lacked the necessary measures to ensure adequate disinfection.
The audit carried out on November 23rd last, found that there was no barrier in place to prevent Cryptosporidium from entering the water supply from the borehole serving both Mountshannon and Scariff.
The parasite is known to cause serious gastro-intestinal illness, including the diarrheal disease Cryptosporidiosis.
The inspection also showed that there was no suitable plant shutdowns in place to prevent the entry of inadequately treated water to the distribution network.
However, A Whitegate Councillor is confident that the location of the water source ensures no immediate risk of infection.
Fine Gael’s Pat Burke says though, that the audit could serve as a wake up call to Uisce Eirean, to ensure no danger of contamination going forward.
Combined, both the Mountshannon and Scariff Public Water Supplies serve a population of 1,564 people and following the audits, the EPA ordered Uisce Eireann to implement eight safety recommendations without delay at each site.
In a statement to Clare FM, Uisce Eireann says that it has addressed many of these, with significant upgrades at both plants currently being progressed that are due to be completed later this year.
The utility insists that it’s priority at all times is to ensure the provision of safe, secure drinking water, and that 99.7% of all water it produces, meets or exceeds required water quality standards.
Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says it’s vital that any potential safety concerns are addressed as soon as possible.
You can listen to the full interview below.
