IBEC West Regional Director, Mr John Brennan has expressed concern in response to the confirmation of lead contamination in Galway's water supply.

Speaking after news broke last week that high lead content has been found in the water supply of four separate areas of the city, Mr Brennan said: "A new warning from Galway Corporation calling on consumers not to drink the water from the public supply is something businesses and consumers alike hoped they had heard the last of. Businesses are only just recovering from the cost implications of the water crisis in 2007."

He was highly critical of Galway City Council, saying it was responsible for the management of water provision and that businesses were not getting value for money to correspond with higher rates. Mr Brennan added: "Businesses have been hit with significant increases in water charges in recent years to meet an investment campaign by local authorities to upgrade water infrastructure. One would expect better management of this valuable resource by the local authority.

"The value for money of water charges for business must be justified. We must ensure local authorities operate our water services to the highest standards. If additional funding is required then the cost base must be broadened to include all who benefit from local authority services."

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