Concerns over Kerry drinking water

CONCERNS are being raised about the safety of the water in the biggest public scheme in Kerry.

Kerry County Council has confirmed levels of trihalomethanes, which form when chlorine reacts with natural organic chemicals in ground water, were marginally above limits allowed by the regulations last October.

This occurred at Lough Guitane, source of the Kerry Central Regional Scheme which supplies half of Kerry and about 70,000 people, including the towns of Killarney and Tralee, with drinking water.

Killarney-based councillor Michael Gleeson said studies had shown trihalomethanes could have an adverse effect.

He said they were linked to an increase in cancers of the bladder and colon, as well as diseases of the heart, lungs and nervous system.

Senior water services engineer Colm Mangan said the trihalomethanes were above the accepted level for a very short period and did not cause a hazard.