Low crypto levels in water pose ‘no risk’ to the public

COUNCIL SAYS RAINING CONCERNS UNNECESSARILY WAS ‘VERY UNFAIR’

AN official with Cork County Council said that low levels of Cryptosporidium recently found in the Ballyhooly and Mitchelstown North water supplies did not pose a risk to public health.

Senior engineer Pat Walsh was speaking in response to a motion before a meeting of the council’s northern division seeking clarity on the situation after the discoveries were reported in the media.

The motion sought details of the findings, why the results were not made available to locals using the supplies and what action was being taken to address the issues.

Referring to a response to the motion from Irish Water, Mr Walsh said the level of ‘crypto’ discovered in the Ballyhooly supply following a test in August was “very low”. These were reported to Irish Water and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it was decided by the HSE to undertake weekly monitoring of the supply.

“All these results came back clear and the HSE advised us that we could scale down the tests and draw up a long to medium plan for the supply,” said Mr Walsh.

He said that in relation to the Mitchelstown North supply, some 13 samples were taken over a 13/14 week period, three of which recorded very low levels of crypto.

He said that Irish Water and the council are continuing to monitor the supply on a weekly basis. Sand has also been replaced on filters and Irish Water is monitoring these to ensure they are operating within acceptable levels.

Mr Walsh said it was standard procedure to record any finds of Cryptosporidium to EPA, regardless of how low the levels may be.

“All exceedences are taken seriously, an assessment undertaken and a call made on the possible risks to public health The key thing to say is that there is no requirement or need to go public when there is no concern to public health,” said Mr Walsh.

He said he was aware a comparison had made to the discovery of crypto in Castletownroche six years ago after which a boil water notice was put in place.

“However, on that occasion the readings were something like 10-times higher than those from Ballyhooly and Mitchelstown North, so we are talking about a different scale of things,” said Mr Walsh.

He said the reduction in acceptable levels of Cryptosporidium within water supplies and the fact that finds were being looked at in more detail meant the issue was getting greater exposure.

“However, we do not publicise findings if there is no concern from a point of public health as it creates unnecessary concerns among the public. We keep an open mind on all results that come in and will continue to sample going forward and undertake works depending on available funding,” said Mr Walsh.

He said that all EPA audits undertaken are posted to their website.

“It is important that these audits are not taken out of context so they cause unnecessary public concern,” said mr Walsh.

“After these particular audits were highlighted (in the media) people went through unnecessary concern, which was very unfair,” he said.