Concern at Lough Talt scheme delays

Sinn Féin Councillor Chris MacManus has said this week’s report from the Environmental Protection Agency on drinking water from public water supplies is a cause for grave concern. “It again highlights that the water supply from Lough Talt has inadequate treatment for Cryptosporidium and is putting 12,823 users at risk of illness caused by the microscopic parasite,” he said.

The details were contained in the EPA’s ‘Drinking Water Report 2016’ released last Monday. It was also confirmed that the Lough Talt upgrade has no proposed actions timescale.

Cllr. MacManus said:“As of this month 87 public water supplies across the state, were still on the so-called Remedial Action List for work to be carried out to protect tap water standards. Eighty-five of these supplies have a planned date for completion of their works. Only two, including Lough Talt, have no timescale of when their needed actions might be carried out.

“Irish Water need to immediately review water supply options from Lough Talt. A report in May said it was likely to take 7-10 years to deliver a new treatment plant because of planning, environmental, budgetary, and construction processes. The people of Tubbercurry and southwest Sligo cannot wait that long. Irish Water need to follow through on its commitment to resolve this critical issue in the short term. They need to provide a temporary solution to ensure a safe and clean drinking water supply while a viable long-term resolution is examined.

“We are all aware of the farcical contradiction in EU legislation in halting this project – fined for not providing safe drinking water, unable to construct a treatment plant because of the area’s conservation status. Everyone’s primary concern should be the provision of safe drinking water to the 13,000 citizens reliant on the Lough Talt supply.”