Tap water still not fit to drink

MORE than 250 households in West Limerick are still having to boil drinking water following an outbreak of the E coli 0157 infection last month.

Two young children had to be treated in Temple Street Hospital in Dublin for the infection, which can be very dangerous for those at preschool age.

Fifteen other people served by the Kilfinny Group Water Scheme tested positive for the bacteria.

The supply serves homes in the Ballingarry, Adare and Kilfinny areas.

The acting director of public health, Tessa Greally, wrote to local doctors on November 2 asking them to be on the alert for the illness.

The infants’ class at Ballingarry school was closed for a period.

Limerick County Council were called in to investigate the local group water scheme.

People using the supply were told to boil all drinking water and this advice still stands.

Cllr Tom Neville, who lives in the area, said boiling all drinking water was a big chore.

He said: “I have been on to the council in recent days and they do not seem to be any closer to identifying the cause of the problem.”

The Kilfinny Group Water scheme is listed for major improvement works.

Cllr Neville said: “I would now feel the council should give work on the Kilfinny scheme priority.

E coli 0157 can cause severe diarrhoea and complications, especially in preschool children.

In some cases it can lead to kidney failure.

One of the two children taken to Dublin for treatment is a sister of Róisín Ruddle, who died after heart surgery was postponed due to a shortage of intensive care nurses in the Dublin hospital where she was scheduled to have the operation.