NUI GALWAY has confirmed that weather damage to a fuel line at its Irish academy in Carraroe, Co Galway, has resulted in an oil leak into the public water supply.
Up to 5,000 people in the south Connemara area have been directed not to drink or boil tap water, and not to use it for cooking or washing. Galway County Council says water may only be used for flushing toilets or flushing internal plumbing.
The leak is believed to have been caused during a recent severe weather spell and was detected by Galway County Council.
However, the local authority was not available to give details of the date yesterday amid claims from the community that a distinctive oily smell was reported to it up to three weeks ago.
NUI Galway said in a statement it was “currently carrying out remediation works on its property in An Cheathrú Rua [Carraroe] as the suspected source of the domestic fuel leak into a watercourse, consequent to discussions with Galway County Council”.
“The university engaged an environmental contractor to carry out these works after it had been made aware of the issue,” it said.
Restrictions apply to all users of the Carraroe public water supply and the Camus group water scheme. “Analysis of samples of water in the public water distribution network has shown elevated levels of petrol range organics [a component of home heating oil],” Galway County Council said.
It said it was continuing to take samples and conduct analysis, and hopes to flush out the system completely to eradicate oil traces before restoring safe supply to residents, schools and businesses in the area.
“Galway County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting drinking water restrictions as soon as practicable,” it said in a notice issued in the area.
Water tanks were installed at several locations in Carraroe village, but it is expected that water will not be available for collection before today.
The local authority has emphasised this water will require boiling before use.
Comharchumann Mhic Dara chairman Tomás Mac Con Iomaire said the local community body was disappointed at the delay in identifying and addressing the issue. Local supermarkets were running out of bottled water, he said yesterday.
“We have a naíonra [pre-school], primary school, comprehensive school and old people’s home as well as facilities for people with disabilities here,” Mr Mac Con Iomaire said.