Alert over Ballinasloe water contamination

A major operation is continuing on the water supply in Ballinasloe, Co Galway after traces of the potentially fatal e-coli bacteria…

A major operation is continuing on the water supply in Ballinasloe, Co Galway after traces of the potentially fatal e-coli bacteria were found in samples this morning.

Ballinasloe Urban District Council said there continues to be a "low level contamination" of the town’s water supply.

Mr Tom Shiels, the Town Engineer, said the UDC is increasing the chlorine levels in the water and repeatedly flushing out the mains supply.

He said tests would be continuing, and residents should avoid drinking tap water until three daily tests free of contamination were recorded.

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A number of drinking water tanks have been set up around the town, filled with water transported from the main Galway County Council supply at Kilconnell.

The exact source of the contamination has yet to be established, and there have been no reports of illness due to the bacteria.

Traces of coliform bacteria were found in water supplies in two locations in Galway City last June, sparking a city-wide alert.

Kilian Doyle

Kilian Doyle

Kilian Doyle is an Assistant News Editor at The Irish Times