Anger at delay in warning over water contamination

RESIDENTS of a Galway city housing estate have described as ‘outrageous’ delays in notifying them that their tap water has been contaminated amid fears that the supply has again been polluted by kerosene.

It is the second time in seven months that the 75 homes at Moyola Park in Newcastle have been issued with ‘do not use’ water notices.

Last March locals had a similar water ban imposed after kerosene was discovered in the supply. The contamination was caused by a water tank that was inadvertently filled with oil.

Residents complained at the time that they had been left using the water for five days before the warnings were issued. This time the notices were issued on Tuesday – two days after the complaints were raised.

The Moyola Park Residents Association has condemned Irish Water and Galway City Council for their failure to act immediately and warn householders of the contamination. Chairwoman Aoife Cooke said the repeated delay in telling people that the water supply was ‘poisoned’ was unbelievable, given what had happened in March.

After the first contamination episode, she said they sought assurances from the utility and the council that, in the event of a repeat, they would be notified immediately not to use the water.

‘Yet they left it for two days before issuing the notices to homes,’ she said.

Irish Water said council workmen repairing a burst watermain in the area on Sunday received complaints from residents about a smell coming from the water. It added that residents would be kept updated on the results of water tests taken.