NENAGH cautiously welcomed the EPA report on the water pollution which has afflicted the town for almost six weeks.
Council workers have been delivering water to householders from a tank on a trailer, towed by a tractor. Plastic buckets or containers have been hung on gates to be filled from a long hose. But in many cases the tanker men head straight for the kitchens of the houses they service.
Coffee shop owner Mr Peter Ward said it has altered his system of working. "We have had to go back to manual means like cooking hams in open saucepans, as opposed to using plumbed in steamers."
Mrs Theresa Collins has a notice on her cafe window: "Spring water used in these premises". She said: "We have good farmer friends, like Liam Gleeson in Ballygraigue, who bring us in spring water from their wells each day. However, we are now getting a good delivery service from the local council. At first we were nervous the tap water and used to rinse the cups in spring water to make sure there was no pollution."
Ms Kay Carroll, a clerk with Ms Margaret Stack, a Department of Agriculture vet, said: "At first we would take out the cans with us when making calls on farmers and fill up. Tom Mulcahy of Carrigatoher, two miles out the Limerick road, brings us in a five gallon drum which lasts us for two days. He has us spoiled."
Mr John McGinley, North Tipperary County Manager, said it cost £10,000 a week to supply the town. He paid tribute to the people of Nenagh for their "considerable patience, forbearance and understanding during the past few weeks'.
Mr McGinley said he was impressed with the detail and clarity of the EPA report: "It is one that will receive very close attention by the council and the UDC."
Mr Patrick Bergin, president of Nenagh Chamber of Commerce, said: "We welcome the publication of the EPA report for it goes a long way to address the serious public disquiet over the complete lack of information available since early August."
A two hour meeting of the local authorities took place in Nenagh yesterday. A statement issued afterwards said that both Nenagh UDC and the county council had examined the report, and the recommendations had been accepted.