NEWS that an environmental group posted an Internet "health warning" to prospective visitors to Mayo has prompted indignation in the county. But the protests have ignored a crucial health issue of particular relevance in the current dispute over group water schemes.
Most, if not all of the private group schemes in Mayo and elsewhere, have problems with the quality of the water they supply.
That is not just the view of the Icarus group, which was heavily criticised for the tone of its warnings. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Minister for the Environment have also expressed concern, but not as trenchantly.
Water quality is assessed by counting the number of coliforms it contains. These are micro organisms excreted by humans and animals and, although harmless in themselves, their presence shows that more harmful organisms may be present.
Some types of soil also contain coliform type organisms, so to assess the water a distinction is made between the number of faecal coliforms present (i.e. from excretion) and the total number.
In its 1994 analysis of water quality, the EPA found evidence of faecal coliform contamination in 37 group schemes in Co Mayo. Half of these had levels of contamination in single figures, but they still breached water quality regulations. EU and World Health Organisation standards stipulate that drinking water should contain no coliforms.
The highest levels were registered at Cloonmore/Cloonlavish (120 coliforms per 100 mls); Lahardane (110 per 100 mls); and Bohola (70 per 100 mls). Others with more moderate levels included Ballinchalla (24 per 100 mls); Clare Island (26 per 100 mls); Crossboyne (36 per 100 mls); and Coogue/Knock (24 per 100 mls).
Furnace registered 24 coliforms per 100 mls; Lislackage 32; Meelick 22; and Mocharra/Shrule 24 per 100 mls. All the others were less serious.
In its overall review of the period 1993-1995, the EPA says that apart from the coliforms, there is little sign of other pollution in Mayo's water.
This would indicate that most of the water pollution in the county comes from slurry spreading or the overgrazing of sheep in upland areas. Leakage from septic tanks is also a factor.
The EPA says: "Overall, the supply to Claremorris is the least satisfactory of those examined. However, the bacteriological quality of the Balla, Ballindine and Bangor Erris supplies, which are the most affected, is not satisfactory and, accordingly, the overall position can only be regarded as reasonably good, at best.
"Coliform presences are a feature of most of the group schemes examined, though, in general, faecal levels are not unduly high, other than in the Clare Island supply. The average quality of these waters is somewhat better than found elsewhere" though improvement was warranted.
The Mayo County Manager, Mr Padraig Hughes, says the chlorination problem in Balla has been solved since the report was published. The schemes at Ballindine and Claremorris are due to be connected to the Lough Mask supply, which will improve matters in those areas.
He admits the situation in Bangor Erris is "problematic" but says there are plans to connect it to another scheme. He says the overall quality of the public water supply in the county was described as "quite satisfactory" in the EPA report, and says the local authority is not responsible for private schemes.
In fairness to Mayo, other counties have their share of problems. In Co Clare, faecal coliforms were found in drinking water in Ballyvaughan, Broadford, Crusheen and Kildysart in the 1994 analysis.
Co Galway had a particularly serious problem, with significant quantities of faecal coliforms found in local authority supplies in Carraroe, Kilconnell, Roundstone and Williamstown.
Group water schemes in the county also failed the test. More than 20 faecal coliforms per 100 mls were found in Aughrim, Briarfield, Carra (Bullaun), Carraghy (Claregalway), Cartymore (Athenry), Castlelambert Knock, ClarenKnocklehard, Clonbrock (Pallas), Cloonatleva, Cloonluane (Renvyle), Corrandulla, Cuillagh, Derrybrien, Grange (Claregalway), Kilconly, Kilcrimple, Killasolan, and Killoran (Ballinasloe).
The Aran Islands were in a category all their own, with 2,000 coliforms per 100 mls in the local authority supply on Inis Mor and 900 per 100 mls in the group water scheme on Inis Meain.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, has acknowledged the possible health risks posed by private group schemes. When he announced his controversial measures for the group schemes last month, he said many of the sources used by such schemes were "vulnerable to pollution."