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24/09/2008
Lead Contamination Feared For 1,000 Galway Homes
Residents in the Old Mervue area of Galway have been advised not to drink tap water until further notice.
Council engineers in the area have begun work on the water supply for up to 1,000 householders of the city where they suspect supplies have been contaminated by lead.
Concerns have also been raised about the lead levels found in three other areas of the city Bohermore, Shantalla and the Claddagh.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning that boiling the water will not remove the lead, meaning it would be dangerous to drink it or to use it in cooking.
Spokesman for Galway City Council, Ciarán Hayes, said: "Following recent sampling of water supplies in Galway City by HSE West, elevated levels of lead were detected in a number of the samples.
"Galway City Council in consultation with HSE West are advising all customers in the following locations not to drink, boil or use in food preparation, the water supply until further notice."
Mr Hayes added that the tap water is safe for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing dishes and clothes even if homes have lead service pipes. But all ice cubes in fridges and freezers should be discarded along with filtered water in fridges.
(DW)
Council engineers in the area have begun work on the water supply for up to 1,000 householders of the city where they suspect supplies have been contaminated by lead.
Concerns have also been raised about the lead levels found in three other areas of the city Bohermore, Shantalla and the Claddagh.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning that boiling the water will not remove the lead, meaning it would be dangerous to drink it or to use it in cooking.
Spokesman for Galway City Council, Ciarán Hayes, said: "Following recent sampling of water supplies in Galway City by HSE West, elevated levels of lead were detected in a number of the samples.
"Galway City Council in consultation with HSE West are advising all customers in the following locations not to drink, boil or use in food preparation, the water supply until further notice."
Mr Hayes added that the tap water is safe for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing dishes and clothes even if homes have lead service pipes. But all ice cubes in fridges and freezers should be discarded along with filtered water in fridges.
(DW)
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