PUBLIC CRITICIAL OF LACK OF INFORMATION ON WATER CRISIS

Date Published: 24-Sep-2008

The lead contamination in the water supply of some older houses in the city, has been raised in the Dáil today.

Up to 5,000 city houses built before 1970 could be affected, but so far only four areas have been found to be affected although city wide testing is continuing

High levels of lead have been found in the water supply of some houses in Old Mervue, Bohermore, the Claddagh and Shantalla.

These houses have been told not to drink the tap water as lead is poisonous and can build up in the body and cause harm, particularly in young children and unborn babies.

City householders have been critical of the lack of information on this latest water alert and are hoping further details will emerge later as to the full extent of the lead contamination and its level of seriousness

Galway West T.D Michael D. Higgins, raised the issue today in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment.

He has called on the Environment Minister, John Gormley to meet with the City Council to address the issue and see what steps he intends to take.

Deputy Higgins is also calling for an emergency debate to ask Minister for Health, Mary Harney what she and the HSE plan to do to rectify the situation.