Parasites found in town’s supply of drinking water

Potentially dangerous organisms have been found in the supply of drinking water to the North Cork town of Millstreet on five occasions over the past two months.

A recent audit of Millstreet’s water supply by the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that cryptosporidium — a parasite that causes gastroenteritis — had been detected on two dates in September.

The HSE said there had been no reported cases in the area of anyone suffering any illness associated with drinking infected water.