Vol. 535 No. 1
401 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious outbreak of cryptosporidium in Belfast arising from problems with the water supply in west Belfast; and if he will make a statement regarding the risk of such an outbreak here arising from deficiencies in the water supply. [11695/01]
Detailed guidelines on minimising the risk of cryptosporidium in water supplies were issued to local authorities by my Department in 1998. The guidelines were prepared in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the Environmental Protection Agency. Authorities were requested to review, in light of the guidelines, their action plans and training programmes, to cover the potential risks associated with cryptosporidium with a view to ensuring that good prevention measures, including good management practices, are in place in relation to the ongoing protection of drinking water supplies.
Further measures to minimise the risk of cryptosporidium will be considered in light of the outcome of an EU funded research project which is currently being undertaken by Teagasc. The results of the project will be of major benefit in determining the risk posed by cryptosporidium and how the risk can be reduced by the implementation of practical control measures. Research on control measures, which is part of the project, will focus on the use of new procedures for the inactivation of cryptosporidium parvum in water.
