This article is from page 4 of the 2008-10-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
ELEVATED levels of lead have been discovered in the water supply of three new areas of Ennis. The ar- eas identified by testing carried out by Clare County Council last week are in premises in Bank Place, St Michael’s Villas and Old Limerick Road (off the Clare Road, from Cap- tain Macs Cross to Daly’s garage). According to Clare County Council repeat samples will be taken in all of the above locations to verify results as well as at Patrick Street (Clarecas-
tle), Marian Avenue and Connolly Villas in Ennis.
It brings to eight the number of are- as identified as having problems with the water supply since discovery of elevated lead levels in parts of the County two weeks ago.
David Timlin, Director of Serv- ice with Clare County Council said, ‘Marian Avenue is a particular case in point because of its lead distribu- tion pipes, so residents there have been advised not to drink the water”.
According to Mr Timlin, “Clare County Council will continue to
follow EPA guidelines and will be carrying out surveys to identify loca- tions of concernso that an action plan for the county can be prepared”. He added, information updates will be issued as the current water results are verified by the testing programme. In a statement, the council said re- placement of lead mains has been ongoing over the past few years. The council said that replacing these will take a number of years and consider- able investment. The council also in- dicated that some home owners may have to foot the bill to replace lead
piping stating that ‘Pre-early 1960s premises will also need to investi- gate their own internal plumbing installation and consider replacing any lead services or fittings that are within their own property’.
The advice for homeowners re- mains to run a sink full from the cold water tap in the kitchen, particularly first thing in the morning or if the water has been unused in the pipes for longer than six hours. Consumers particularly at risk of any adverse ef- fects of lead in water include children under six, and pregnant women.