'Unfit for cattle' - Mayo householders forced to use 'yellow' water

A local councillor has criticised Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) for rejecting an application from a group of householders that would raise their water quality to a useable standard.

Cllr John O’Hara said 13 houses in Kilgarvin, Bonniconlon recently had tests carried out on their water supply, which comes from a nearby mountain source, and found it to be of extremely poor quality.

“The water is gone yellow and is not even fit for the cattle to drink,” said Cllr O’Hara.

Cllr O'Hara said the residents applied to Uisce Éireann for an extension to the supply that would improve the water quality. However, this request was refused because Uisce Éireann does not consider these applications unless a minimum of 25 households are affected.

“In this day and age, 25 households is too much of a limit to put on this. It is awful that Irish Water has put a red line across this,” said Cllr O’Hara.

“Irish Water is going to close down rural Ireland. It is pure discrimination that these people in Kilgarvin are not even going to be considered.”