Engineer warns of dry summers ahead

A FARM community left without water for five days could be a sign of things to come for the whole region if major augmentation schemes are not progressed.

Cork County Council senior engineer Niall O'Mahony yesterday warned that the high-profile tourist region is facing a serious crisis in terms of water supply.

Significant housing developments in coastal towns such as Clonakilty "where water consumption increased by 14% in 2004" are putting pressure on regional supply schemes, he claimed.