Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the recent outbreak of cryptosporidium in the water supply in Galway, the number and location of similar outbreaks each year for the past 10 years and if he will make a statement regarding the testing procedure on water supplies to identify the presence of abnormal levels of this organism. [11958/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years local authorities have notified my Department of suspected cryptosporidium infection of water supplies in Carlow, Ennis, Mullingar and Roscommon. No evidence of such infection was subsequently found in the Carlow or Roscommon supplies.

My Department has issued detailed guidance to all local authorities on minimising the risk of cryptosporidium in water supplies. The guidance was prepared in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the Environmental Protection Agency and, inter alia, covers source protection, monitoring, treatment processes, storage and distribution and responding to an outbreak.

In November 2004, the National Disease Surveillance Centre published the Report of the Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis Sub-Committee which has also been circulated to local authorities. This report provides comprehensive analysis of the cryptosporidium issue, together with recommendations in relation to prevention of waterborne cryptosporidiosis and incorporates a risk assessment model for use by sanitary authorities.

Where a significant capital works programme is required to respond to a cryptosporidium risk, funding is provided by my Department under the Water Services Investment Programme.