Vol. 476 No. 7
204 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Environment the percentage of public water supply systems which suffer some degree of coliform contamination as outlined in the recent Environmental Protection Agency report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8101/97]
The Environmental Protection Agency 1995 report on the quality of drinking water in Ireland indicated some degree of coliform, i.e. total coliform and-or faecal coliform contamination in 8.72 per cent of samples taken from the public supply network. The report noted that over half of these exceedances were not of public health significance. In response, my Department has asked all local authorities to intensify efforts to eliminate coliform exceedances and to implement appropriate remedial strategies.
205 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding proposals for major improvements to the Roundstone public water supply scheme, Connemara, County Galway. [8102/97]
In November 1996, Galway County Council submitted a proposal, costing an estimated £100,000, in respect of the Roundstone water supply scheme under the small schemes programme. A circular letter is being issued to the relevant local authorities giving details of the new devolved arrangements in relation to small water and sewerage schemes, i.e. schemes with an all-in estimated cost of less than £250,000, and notifying the capital allocations for these schemes in 1997. It will be a matter for each authority to consider individual schemes, including the Roundstone scheme, in the context of these arrangements and allocations.
206 Mr. Jacob asked the Minister for the Environment when he will approve proposals to extend the Carlow north regional water supply scheme from Rathvilly to Hacketstown, which proposals were submitted to his Department by Carlow County Council, in view of the ongoing hardships being experienced by the people of Hacketstown, County Carlow, arising from the poor quality and supply of water in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8103/97]
I recently approved Carlow County Council's proposals to carry out site investigation works for the extension of the Carlow north regional water supply scheme to Hacketstown. The project is included in the water and sewerage services works programme, to be advanced through the planning and design stages in 1997.
