Fine Gael is urgently calling for a temporary water treatment plant to be developed in south Sligo after the current water services at Lough Taalt "fall short" of treating drinking water for the potential risk of cryptosporidium contamination.

Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Tony McLoughlin, confirmed Sligo County Council refused to allow an interim treatment plant to be built.

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He said: "Approximately 13,000 people in the town of Tubercurry, as well as the surrounding villages of Annagh, Aclare, Curry, Charlestown, Lavagh, Ballanacarrow Carroweden, Kilmacteige and Coolaney rely on water treatment services from this plant.

"While it has long been recognised that Lough Talt is a special area of conservation based on vulnerable habitats and species, an entirely new drinking water supply for these 13,000 customers will involve complex works that are likely to take 7 to 10 years to complete.

"In the interim, it is unacceptable that the drinking water for these Sligo communities will not meet minimum public health standards."

(CD/LM)