Tourism is hit by uncertainty
THE boil water notice is not only affecting homes and hotels - local tourism operators are also suffering.
John Barrett runs outdoor tourism business Wild Wet Adventures primarily out of Lough Talt but has had to move most of his water sports to Temple House lake, some 27 kms away as a result of the boil water notice.
The HSE advised him through Cllr Marie Casserly that any water sport on Lough Talt “takes place on a raw water source that has not been treated or disinfected.”
He has decided not to risk infecting any customers as a result: “I’m bringing them to Temple House Lake. It’s a separate water system. That’s where I’m doing the majority of my business now,” he told this newspaper. He believes the ongoing boil water notice is “a ploy” for Irish Water to get planning permission for essential, emergency upgrade works to the Lough Talt water treatment plant. “That’s the general consensus around here,” he said. Irish Water has denied this claim. “The notice is implemented on the advice of the HSE and public health is always our number one priority,” a spokeswoman said. John claims he hasn’t heard of one case of cryptosporidiosis in the community. “My season is short enough without this on top of it. A couple of locals have asked me am I not working there any more but I can’t take a chance on it,” he said. “It’s a water sport. If they don’t get wet it’s no good!” he added. When informed by The Sligo Champion about the boil water notice being in place until July 30 th now, John said: “Well that’s more or less the summer season gone. What’s more annoying is the unknown. Who’s problem is it?” he added.