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Dumpers could poison water supply
13.05.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
FEARS are growing that the Greencastle-Moville water
supply could become contaminated as illegal dumpers
continue to discard potentially lethal waste close
to a stream feeding directly into the mains
reservoir.
Donegal County Council has taken more than eight
lorry loads of hazardous household rubbish away from
the Ballymacarthur site in the past few days.
A staggering 160 tonnes of waste, including
three-piece suites, fridges, sinks and tyres, was
removed in all.
A source from the Council said he had real concerns
that the local drinking water could be adversely
affected. |
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“There is a real risk
that lethal chemicals and oils could seep into the
water supply if this activity does not cease. One
small group of individuals are putting thousands of
people’s health at risk,” he said.
“The dumping appears to be systematic and has
continued now for a number of years and it is
costing the Council thousands of euro to clean up
this area.”
Disgusted local Councillor Martin Farren said the
culprits must be named and shamed.
“It is scandalous that people should be engaged in
this type of behaviour, which is putting all of our
families’ health at risk. I have no doubt that if it
were allowed to continue it would have devastating
consequences,” he said.
“I am appealing to members of the community who may
see this going on to report it to the relevant
authorities. This has been an ongoing problem which
Donegal County Council are working hard to
eliminate, but we, as a community, must help in that
task.”
The Council have set-up a covert CCTV operation in
an effort to catch those involved in the Greencastle
incident. They said they will actively pursue anyone
who dumps waste illegally. |
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