Mary ‘on fire’ in Killybegs Station. Sinn Fein councillor Thomas Pringle and Fine Gael Councillor John Boyle give Minister Coughlan a political lift in Killybegs Fire Station. Pic: Margaret Gallagher

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And how is your water?
Donegal Times survey reveals not all are happy

MARGARET GALLAGHER
The pollution of the waters in Galway city and environs, and its attendant problems has been well publicised. The presence of cryptosporidium within rivers and lakes in part of that county has meant that water for all purposes has first to be boiled - or else bottled water used. Many people in the area affected have fallen foul of the bug which can cause quite severe food poisoning-like symptoms.
Having heard so much of the adverse reactions in the City of the Tribes and neighbouring regions, we wondered about our own area - how good is the water in Donegal Town and surrounds? So we contacted people in different places, both official and householders - and this seems to be the consensus.
The town itself has a good water supply, both in quantity and quality. This comes from the River Eske - and the treatment plant at Drumlonagher is entirely adequate - and indeed is currently being upgraded. Samples of the water are monitored daily by the council and frequent random checks from the health board.
Peter Donoghue, Donegal County Council Senior Executive Engineer, in confirming that the Eske plant at Drumlonagher is under refurbishment at the moment said “Over the past few months, the treatment facility out at Drimlonagher is undergoing an intensive upgrade – and, yes, I would say that it is long overdue”.
Reports are not so good for those who get their supply from Cullinbouy and St Peter’s Lake. Residents in the Barnes/Leghowney area have complaints about the quality, as well as the quantity. John Cassidy, a resident in the Leghowney area, told the paper that originally the water system from Cullinbouy was designed for 120 household – now there is in the region of 500 hooked onto it. John claims that there are two problems 1. the quality of the water and 2. the pressure. According to Mr Cassidy, most houses in the area are unable to use their washing machines or dishwashers because the water is too brown – and/or there is not enough pressure. John said he had written on numerous occasions to the Council over the years, but with no success. He is adamant that the water at source is perfect but the problem is what happens it on the way to household. He points the finger at obsolete treatment equipment.
However, Mr Donoghue told us that water supply pipes are already laid, the pump house built and, hopefully, in the months ahead this scheme will be incorporated into the Eske supply and the updated treatment plant at Drumlonagher. So hopefully this will sort out both pressure and quality in those areas.
Residents in the Ballydevitt area are very unhappy, with householders having to use bottled water all the time. Their water comes from St. Peter’s Lake and the treatment plant is at the Glebe and the Glencoagh slow sand-filter station. However these are due to be replaced by a new facility at Drumbeigh.
Paul Lyons, Council Executive Engineer Water and Environment, explained the water is perfect except for the brown colour. “The water is treated with chlorine but there is no colour removal added. This water is tested and monitored daily by the council and also by unannounced frequent visits from the health board. It is perfectly suitable for consumption and use - though the colour may be off-putting. There is a new treatment plant being built at Drumbeigh where there is already a station servicing Glencoagh lake. This is costing in the region of ¤1.9million and the contractors are due to start next month.”
Paul continued “The Donegal Electoral Area has seventeen sources of Public Water Schemes and the annual report each year released by the EPA showed last year that Donegal drinking water is running at 97% compliance.”
The Inver area, which is supplied by Glencoagh Lake and treated at the existing Drumbeigh plant was upgraded in 1998. Residents there have no complaints about the quality of their water but say that the supply is turned off quite often. Paul Lyons confirmed that this is because of the stretch of piping from the Cranny Road to the Ardaghey Cross Roads carries old asbestos piping that is constantly leaking - but he is optimistic that pipe replacement will take place before the end of this year as they have applied for funding from different departments.
The conclusion is that our water supply is being monitored daily and tested frequently by the health board and is found to be in a good state - the colour may not be right and the pressure and supply not adequate, but the good news that all is under the watchful eye of the EPA, Health Board and Donegal County Council. With the upgrade of the Drumlonagher plant, the extension to the Drimbeigh works, the amalgamation of the Cullinbouy water source to the Eske, by the end of 2007, all water problems should be sorted out.
So although there is some glitches and dissatifaction with our water at the moment, the Council is working to rectify these problems to give our region the best supply and quality possible.