RESIDENTS on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, have reacted angrily to their water supply being rationed for the past fortnight. The lower-than-average rainfall over the last month caused Galway County Council to introduce rationing to conserve supplies.
However, island community representatives warned yesterday of the impact on the island's economy if adequate water supplies could not be provided during winter, let alone during the summer when tourists almost double Inishmore's population.
The manager of a local co-op, Ms Cathy Ni Ghoill, of Comharchumann Forbartha Inis Mor Teo, warned of an economic disaster if there were supply shortages during the summer. "Our, main worry is what may happen during the summer. This problem has grave implications for our tourism. We cannot live without adequate water. It's just not being provided."
A local restaurateur, Mr P.J. Flaherty, said islanders had so far been very patient but were not going to accept the shortages any longer. They had accepted shortages during the peak tourism season but shortages in January were "totally unacceptable".
"We were promised extra storage tanks. Four years ago, a £4 million project was approved. We pay water rates like everybody else but we're not getting an adequate service. Our supply is being cut off for 12 hours at night because of low pressure. That's bad enough for householders, pubs and restaurants but I know some houses that only have half-an-hour a day," he said.
Mr Seamus Gavin (Ind), chairman of the local authority's islands committee, said storage capacity was "not nearly sufficient". The council should seek a meeting with the Minister for the Environment to secure immediate funding for the storage project.
The council confirmed it was trying to provide extra capacity. A spokesman said it was awaiting funding.