By Christy Parker
Aluminium levels in Youghal’s drinking water have been persistently above safety limits for over seven years. Youghal Town Councillor Liam Burke described the situation as “depressing and appalling” when he informed the October Town Council meeting of the finding.

The Green Party representative said the town’s water had surpassed the permitted levels in three out of six samples taken in 2008, with one sample twice the legal limit. “But the situation has been ongoing since 2001, when 12 out of 17 samples, or 71%, failed,” he said.

The councillor said that despite interim efforts to address the problem the water had failed aluminium tests every subsequent year, with failure rates varying from 37% to 89%. “There is obviously a health hazard here,” persisted Cllr. Burke. “Why has it been allowed to continue for over seven years?”

Town Engineer Paul Murray said the County Council is about to implement the recommendations of a report arising from a “comprehensive review” at the town water plant at Bula.

Aluminium compounds help to remove impurities in water, as well as reducing its colour, cloudiness and bacteria. Studies into possible links to degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s remain inconclusive and largely dependent on mitigating factors.

Mr. Murray said the water is presently “safe” to drink, prompting FF Cllr Dave Savage to suggest issuing a letter to reassure the public. “How can it be termed ‘safe’ with a 50% failure rate?!” insisted Cllr Burke.

Town Manager Patricia Power said measures to address the problem included separation tank and filter replacements in 2005, which had brought “significant improvement.” She added that “a variety of experts” had recently visited the plant, including water treatment specialist Frank Harvey and she expected positive results to be forthcoming.

Mayor Olly Casey (Ind), a former water curator, said from his personal experience, “there is no better engineer then Mr. Harvey to resolve this problem.”