Environment Minister John Gormley and Galway City Council Director of Services Ciarán Hayes have expressed their hope that investment in upgrading Galway's water treatment facilities will do much to improve confidence in Galway's water supply. However, with a boil water notice still in operation in Clarinbridge and Galway's own councillors expressing doubt over their confidence in drinking tap water, it is obvious that a consistent supply of clean water over time and not words will be the real confidence healer.

Minister Gormley has announced funding of €3.6 million for the upgrading of Terryland Water Treatment Plant, which will allow for the treatment of an extra 20 million cubic metres of water a day. He has also announced funding of €16.5 million for water and sewerage schemes for Galway city and county. Barna and Mountbellew will benefit from the funding to the tune of €13 million.

Mr Hayes has echoed the Minister's sentiments, saying the move should do a lot for public confidence and that the funding allows Galway City Council complete control over Galway's water supply. Since the outbreak, Galway city has been buying water from the Luimnagh Water Treatment Plant.

While, there would be few who would argue that there shouldn't be a repeat of last year's water contamination in the city, Galway people might be slow to agree that they have full confidence in Terryland Water Treatment Plant's capabilities.

As the Minister says, we "probably" should have the highest quality water in the country but probably might not make you rush back to the tap. This might have more to do with a lack of understanding of the workings of the facility, but it will be a hard opinion to change in the short-term, especially with so many people bitten by the water bug last year.

Minister Gormley's comments on the situation in Clarinbridge will do little to instil confidence either. While he said he was aware of the situation in the town, he said he hoped these issues would become less frequent, adding boil water notices are a precautionary measure issued mostly by the HSE.

Improving confidence amongst Galway people of the quality of the water supply in the city and county will take time not words. Minister Gormley can test the water with his words but the true test of confidence will be a consistent clean supply.

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