Cryptosporidium in Galway

Date Added: May 04, 2007 09:02:41 PM
Cryptosporidium is not exactly anything new, but became a commonplace word in and around Galway, due to a rise in the number of infections.

Cryptosporidium is the name of a parasite, having different strains. Its a single cell varying in size from two to ten microns. It exists in an external shell or casing, which is a protection device to preserve it during its fairly random transit stage (meaning that it has no external propulsion method), and can be referred to as an oocyst.

Cryptosporidiosis is the name of the infection which may follow exposure. Typical reactions are nausea ( feeling like vomiting ), vomiting ( the act itself ) and diarrhea which is familiar to most of us anyway.

Diarrhea and vomiting, whatever the cause, can cause you to drain yourself  of fluids through natural enough reaction processes. Even without illness, sweating too, can cause dehydration. Its the balance of water input and output which can be critical.

What happened in Galway?

As of the 4th of May, 2007, there doesn't appear to be anything too specific other than over development of housing, coupled with underdevelopment of treatment facilites to cope safely. As Lough Corrib is the main water source for Galway city, and some of its environs, it is thought to be the source of the contamination.

Unlike the case in Milwaukee in 1993 (where the precise location of the contamination was found fairly quickly), some will say that particular and smaller treatment plants are the problem, while others will cite a more holistic problem associated with Lough Corrib and pollution generally. The Ougherard ( County Galway ) treatment plant is bandied about as a particularly inefficient unit?

More debate.

Algal Bloom in Lough Corrib, said by fishermen and others to indicate over nutrition and effluent wash-in, but thought historically to be by farming practices. Recently, thought to be by the relatively heavy rainfall and wash-in of human waste, through overflowing of septic tanks, etc..

Which came first? In great Chicken and egg style: - polution and Cryptosporidium in the lake to begin with or better filtration at exit point to the water mains of Galway?

Current water works serving  Galway City;

There is one on the Dyke road, Terryland, Galway about thirty years old.  It is a relatively modern plant but need upgrading.

Another older plant serves some functions (or did until very recently) and is closer to Galway City, and also on the Dyke road. Not Cryptsporidium ready.

After May 15, 2007, the modern plant at Luimnagh and in the parish of Annaghdown, County Galway (left side of the Headford road while Headford bound ), is  to serve water to the city. This plant is said to capable of filtering Cryptosporidium.