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Cryptosporidium: Contamination of the Water Supply

A report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday, 02 April, 2008, provided a worrying insight into the situation of the water supply in Ireland. The "name and shame" report listed 339 public water supplies, which provide drinking water to 1.26 million inhabitants. Many of these public supplies were identified as containing elements of deadly bugs, such as cryptosporidium.

The dossier supplies information re. water supplies dispersed across the Republic of Ireland. The list shows the quantity of people affected, water supplies in need of remedial action and the type of pollution that is occurring.

In total 1.260.541 citizens across Ireland are affected by the contaminated water supply. Areas listed in need of corrective action include: Kerry, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath, Wicklow, Athlone, Kilkenny, Offaly, Monaghan, Limerick, Wicklow, Longford, Tipperary and Dublin. Pollution risks recorded include: the presence of cryptosporidium, e-coli, and elevated levels of pesticides, arsenic, aluminium, nitrates and the chemical trihalomethane.

The pollution threats listed in the report pose a potential risk to the health of Irish citizens, as cryptosporidium, E-coli bugs, excess aluminium and nitrates are linked to cancer and blue baby syndrome.

The EPA report was published due to the contamination water crisis, which occurred in Co. Galway last year. Yesterday, 02 April, 2008, a similar water crisis emerged in Roundstone, Connemara and its hinterland Erisbeg and Inishnee, as traces of the water parasite cryptosporidium were confirmed. Residents of the area were requested to boil water for consumption, brushing teeth or preparation of food.

Roundstone thrives during the tourist season, with a population swell from 300 people to over 5,000; as a result, local businesses dependant on tourism are concerned that they will face considerable losses due to the recent contamination. A local resident, Ann Conneelly expressed her anger when she stated, "This didn't happen today or yesterday. Twenty years ago there was E-coli in the water supply, and since then we have been campaigning for something to be done."

After the publishing of the report the EPA programme manager informed the media that the report is "a road map to full compliance with drinking water standards", which is in preparation for EU standards. He stated that if there was an outbreak of illness in any area it would be ensured that immediate action was taken. The EPA stated that its present priority is to provide a secure water supply for the Irish citizens.

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