NENAGH Urban District Council last night released an information document about the water situation in the town amidst claims by residents of a lack of information.
Local residents are upset that they were "left in the dark" about their water supply, affected by pollution for more than three weeks. They have the support of Greenpeace Ireland, who said the people had a right to know.
During a 1/2 hour public meeting on Monday residents expressed concern at not being kept up to date with developments. "When can I tell my daughter she can drink the water again?" one resident remarked.
The townspeople want to know the source of the problem and how and when it is going to be remedied. They also want the recommendations of a pending Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report to be issued.
At the meeting, organised by Greenpeace Ireland, Father Scan McDonagh, chairman of Greenpeace, said there was an absolute need for openness on the impact of the situation on health.
The director of Greenpeace, Ms Clare O'Grady Walshe, who met local authority officials, said her organisation would be taking independent samples of the water.
She added. "The situation which the people of Nenagh have been forced to live with in recent times is intolerable and not enough information has been given to people who are justifiably worried about their health and environment."
The Nenagh Town Clerk, Mr Tony McCormack, said the EPA report should be available by the end of this month.
"We are harnessing an alternative (water) supply and hope to be pumping it into the system within days," he added.
The information document from the UDC attempted to allay the fears of the public and explain what steps were being taken to solve the water problem.