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Tap water in some
parts of Buncrana carries a very high risk of
contamination by potentially fatal Cryptosporidium,
a shock report has found.
The report, highlighted by the Green Party
yesterday, shows that the risk in Buncrana is the
second highest in the county after the worst
affected area - Fanad North. However, consumers
using water from the Fullerton Pollan Dam have been
assured that the Illies reservoir carries the lowest
risk in Donegal.
Green Party candidate for Donegal North East, Frank
Gallagher yesterday highlighted the league table by
RTE's investigative unit, that shows Buncrana at a
"very high" 108. Burnfoot comes second on the league
table with a "very high" risk of 101 while Culdaff
carries a "high risk" of 96.
Householders in west Inishowen face a "moderate"
Cryptosporidium risk of 52 with East Inishowen
including Moville on a "moderate" risk level of 54.
The Fullerton Pollan Dam carried a low risk value of
-9.
Mr. Gallagher yesterday expressed concern at the
state of the water in Donegal North East.
"The risk count for Cryptosporidium is based on
factors which bring our water into contamination
with septic tanks, farm animals, slurry, sludge from
waste treatment plants."
Galway was around 200 before the outbreak took
place.
The investigation shows that 75 Irish tap water
sources were identified in 2005 as 'high risk' or
'very high risk'.
It found that the worst affected areas were Galway,
Donegal and Longford.
Mr. Gallagher said: "We in the Green Party want to
know has the Donegal County Council taken any
measures to clean up the water in the county?
"If so, what are they? Will the endless development
continue without proper infrastructure? We are fed
up with the catch-up theory given out by
pro-development councillors. One of our very basic
needs - water - is being put at risk."
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