Limescale damaging Ballyshannon homes and businesses claims Cllr Michael McMahon

Potential impacts to equipment and drinking water due to limescale problems in the Ballyshannon area were being ignored, a local councillor has claimed.

Cllr Michael McMahon told Tuesday's meeting of the Donegal Municipal District that he had real fears about the effect of limescale in water supplying businesses and households in the town. He said it was causing untold damage to machinery and utensils but Irish water was just ignoring the problem.

He said he had experienced nothing but problems with Irish Water as long as he has been a councillor adding that perhaps it was time for the Oireachtas and the TDs to examine the body to see what was going on.

He highlighted problems with the quality of water in the Cashelard area in particular.

"I have received numerous call-outs from constituents and businesses complaining about lime flakes in the water. This is an ongoing and totally unacceptable problem. I was in touch with them last Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday and nothing happened.

"We are supposed to be getting water of high quality but people can't use it. I know one thriving business, a cafe/pub and his machine is destroyed. When he puts glasses into his machine to be washed, they are coming out totally white.

"I've also had several calls from people who say their utensils, kettles, washing machines and showers are full of limescale. In discussions, Irish Water claims the water is okay. I'm no scientist but if there is lime in water and people are drinking it Irish Water should come out, take a look at what is happening and take it away for tests

"They told me this morning they had signed off on it, whatever that means, sign off on something that hasn't been fixed? If the man who owns the business was caught by the HSE washing glasses by hand it would be an offence. Irish Water has contacted him twice by phone to say things were okay. So we are led to believe that water with limescale is okay, it doesn't harm your health or does not harm anything.

"The facts are there. The utensils are being destroyed, and the machine for washing glasses is turning them white. What is really going on? Why won't Irish Water come to the site, and have a discussion with the people and me as a public representative? I think we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and Irish Water is not doing that," he claimed.

He added all the talk about the environment and keeping small rural businesses going meant nothing in situations like this.

"I want an answer and people to be satisfied that the water they are drinking is fit for purpose. Giving me and the businessman a load of baloney doesn't wash."

He added he was annoyed nothing had been done by the Oireachtas from stopping Irish Water from acting in this totally "undemocratic fashion" in Donegal and indeed all over the country.

Cllr Barry Sweeny urged people to contribute to the ongoing public consultation on the water situation in Ballyshannon if they had noticed problems.

He said he knew it would take a long time before a new water service was available but added he too was concerned about the damage being caused by the limescale.

Donegal County Council's Waste Awareness Officer, Suzanne Bogan told the meeting she did not report on behalf of Irish Water but would bring the councillors concerns to her line manager and encouraged them to keep reporting their concerns through the mechanisms in place to Irish Water.

Cllr McMahon said while he accepted Ms Bogan would pass on their concerns, he had already been in contact with them but to no avail.

"I just wonder if I and are other people wasting our time. I feel very frustrated with them. We need to find a solution," he added.