FEARS ARE growing that tourism in the west will again suffer this year following confirmation of a new water problem in Co Galway.
Traces of the cryptosporidium parasite have been confirmed in the public water supply at Roundstone in Connemara.
More than 300 people live permanently in Roundstone and the surrounding areas of Inishnee and Errisbeag. However, the population can swell to more than 5,000 during the tourist season in the picturesque Connemara village.
Residents have been put on notice that water is to be boiled before using it for drinking, brushing teeth or food preparation.
Galway County Council says that while traces of cryptosporidium are lower than that which affected large tracts of Co Galway over five months last year, it was still necessary to take the same precautions.
Jim Cullen, director of services with Galway County Council, said the boil notice would remain in place until the water was clear. An alternative supply was being sought, while work on the Carna-Kilkieran water scheme would be expedited.
Mr Cullen said he could not speculate whether the boil notice would be lifted before the main tourism season. "We will do everything in our power to have the boil notice lifted but we have to take precautions where public health is concerned."
Tourism interests in the Roundstone and general Connemara area are worried that this latest water crisis is going to have a big impact on their businesses.
Ann Conneely, who owns and ran Eldon's Hotel in Roundstone for 15 years and which is now leased, said the local community was extremely angry.
"This started 12 years ago when E.coli was found in the supply and it has dragged on since then. We have known for years that the local water supply is bad but Galway County Council has not resolved the matter."
She said news of the water problem had already led to calls from worried tourists in America, and there was a fear that businesses could suffer if the problem was not resolved. Last year, considerable losses were felt by businesses in Co Galway following the outbreak of cryptosporidium in March which led to a boil notice for five months. Some 2,000 people contracted the gastro-intestinal illness cryptosporidiosis.
Galway County Council says there have not been any reported cases of people becoming ill as a result of this latest water problem.