One of the State's worst episodes of water supply contamination may be coming to an end, as county council and health board officials meet tomorrow to consider removing a "boil water" notice in Westmeath.
The warning was issued to 25,000 people after a cryptosporidium outbreak at Lough Owel - the source of 40 per cent of the county's water .
To date, 26 people have been treated for cryptosporidiosis - an infection caused by a parasite found in human or animal faeces. Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps.
The contamination was caused by a slurry or septic tank run-off but it will be very difficult to prove the source of the contamination as Lough Owel is fed by springs in the middle of the lake.
However, during its investigations, Westmeath County Council served notices on the owners of four farms and 12 septic tanks in the Lough Owel area. The notices ordered immediate remedial work to resolve pollution problems.
Since May 3rd, people in areas such as Mullingar, Kinnegad and Rochfortbridge have been boiling water for everything from washing their teeth to preparing salads.
Publicans have had to import ice from neighbouring regions. "No bathing" notices were erected at the lake and Mullingar's public swimming pool reopened on a limited basis only on May 27th.
Mr Declan Leonard, Westmeath County Council spokesman, says this is the first such contamination of a public water supply.
Tests carried out since May 9th have proved clear but the parasite has a 21-day incubation period.
The recommended precautionary period for such a contamination is five weeks, and that ends tomorrow.