This article is from page 14 of the 2007-03-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
IT IS just a matter of time before a major outbreak occurs in the Gort area as a result of poor water quality according to Gort Regional Alliance for Community and the Environment (GRACE).
The warning has come after more than 90,000 people in households to the north of Gort were issued with boil notices last week, following an outbreak of stomach illness thought be cause by cryptosporidium and spread through the drinking water.
More than 40 people were admitted to hospital late last week with similar symptoms including diarrhoea and SiKoyeek-(e) sere: bash eke
“The water in Gort is a disgrace. They are putting two and three times the recommended amount of chlo- rine into the water. Chlorine is car- cinogenic and I would have extreme concerns about the water if they have to put that much into it,” said Niamh Clune of GRACE.
“We are very worried that this could create a serious problem, both in the
short and long-term. The water is al- ways discoloured and Gort is often without water altogether, especially during the summer months.”
A campaign to improve the water supply has been ongoing in Gort for nearly four decades and locals are hopeful that a breakthrough can be made sooner rather than later.
“We are campaigning to get the Re- gional Water Scheme into Gort, but this has been ongoing for 37 years now. It has become a generational quest that gets handed down to sons
and daughters,” continued Dr Clune.
“We have been campaigning for this to be speeded up, but it looks like it will be delayed for another five years Or SO.
“In the meantime we need new pipes to be laid on the Ennis Road and on Crowe Street. Gort 1s con- stantly running out of water and al- though we have received new pumps the pipes themselves are degrading and are prone to breaking and dis- solving away.”
The population of Gort has expand- ed rapidly in recent years putting further pressure on the town’s water supply. Indeed, according to the most recent census figures, the population has ballooned by some 40 per cent in the last eight years. This population increase is believed to have placed even more strain on an already pres- surised water system. With a number of developments nearing completion, the population is predicted to contin- ue to rise over the coming years.
Left: