Barrier at Macroom's water treatment plant may not keep out microscopic parasite

Town's public water supply has had a boil water notice in place since November

Cryptosporidium is a potentially dangerous microscopic parasite that can cause gastroenteritis.

An audit of drinking water supplies in Macroom has found that a barrier at the town’s water treatment plant may not be capable of preventing a dangerous parasite from getting into treated water.

An inspection of the Macroom public water supply by officials from the Environment Protection Agency last month said it could not verify that its cryptosporidium barrier was being maintained at all times.