IT could be several weeks before the results of tests from a third bore hole for water in Nenagh, Co Tipperary are known. The samples went to England yesterday.
The tests were carried out by the Mid Western Health Board at the Old Birr Road water supply after a site at Melrose was found to be contaminated.
The town has been without drinking water for over two months after chemical substance were found in the main town water supply at Gortlandroe. The Environmental Protection Agency is to take legal action against two factories, Procter and Gamble and Tubex, and semi state body Shannon Development.
The water crisis was discussed by Nenagh Urban District Council last night as local residents and business people became increasingly impatient with the need to depend on tank water for drinking.
The president of the Nenagh Chamber of Commerce, Mr Pat Bergin, told The Irish Times: "People cannot understand why the Minister for the Environment has not set up an inquiry. The people are very disappointed and dissatisfied that it has taken this length of time to sort out the problem. They are also dissatisfied with the information coming from the council."
The vice president of the chamber, Mr Peter Ward, reiterated that if a hydro geological survey is not carried out, there will be little consumer confidence.
Ms Mairin Quill, the Progressive Democrats spokeswoman on the Environment, yesterday pressed the Minister, Mr Howlin, to ensure that a comprehensive hydro geological survey is undertaken in the region. "The extent of the contamination in the area must be established".
She added in a statement: "He must ensure that the drinking water of Nenagh is safe for human consumption. He must also ensure that public confidence in the water supply is restored, both from the point of view of people living nearby and from the point of view of local businesses and employers".
Greenpeace demanded that the EPA carry out further investigations. Mr John Bowler, Greenpeace campaign director, said this latest revelation "is very worrying and more bad news for the people of Nenagh. It would appear that the initial pollution is not localised and begs the question has the pollution seeped into the aquifer? A new, fuller investigation into the quality of Nenagh's water was immediately required.
"If the aquifer is found to be contaminated, then the situation is far more serious than previously thought," said Mr Bowler.