Lack of Information Criticised as Water Contamination Continues

Resident's affected by the contamination of water supplies in South Wicklow have criticised the lack of information about the situation.

People in Shillelagh were notified of the contamination by council officials going door to door, but leaflets

Leaflets were not distributed in Tinahely

were not distributed until the next day. A Tinahely resident has told WicklowToday that there was no knock on the door and no leaflets in the town and that news of the contamination was spread only by word of mouth.

While warnings about the contaminated water were broadcast on East Coast FM Radio, reception can be weak in the affected area and not everybody listens to the radio. However local people spread the news and a resident of Shillelagh put up posters on his own initiative. Information about the contamination was also posted on the WicklowToday notice boards.

locals have reported a strong smell of chlorine from the water and council workers have been opening public taps to clear the system of the contaminated water. It is understood that 3 clear test results must be recieved before the water can be used again, but even then people may be asked to boil the water before drinking it. it is the health board that administers the tests rather than the county council.

Wicklowtoday has been unable to confirm whether anybody has become ill from drinking the contaminated water.