A DEPUTATION from the Cill Chiaráin and Carna area told a Galway County Council official this week that the proposed extension of the local water scheme to Roundstone had all the appearances of being a quick-fix job.

The Cill Chiaráin and Carna deputation traveiled to Galway on Monday morning to discuss the matter and were accompanied by a number of public representatives.

They wanted Galway County Council to add another lake to the system before the Cill Chiaráin/Carna water scheme is to be extended ta Roundstone. Further fuel was added ta the debate when it came ta light that wrong information had come from the County Council about the maximum daily amount of water that would be needed for the Cill Chiaráin/Carna/Cashel and Roundstone areas. Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig said he had been given figures that showed the maximum daiiy amount needed wouid be 1398 cubic metres.

However, it emerged at the meeting that the proper figure was over 1900 cubic metres. Mr Liam Gavin of the Water Services department in the County Council said that the higher figure - aimost 40% more than the first figures given for the amount of water - was the correct one. Mr Gavin said a mistake had been made by the County Council.

A spokesperson for the Cill Chiaráin/Carna deputation said the proposed extension o the Cill Chiaráin/Carna wate scheme iooked like it was rushed job.

The Council seemed to have gone for a quick fix when the cryptosporidium outbreak happened in Roundstone. Mr Gavin told the deputation that it was always the intention ta bring the Cill Chiaráin/Carna suppiy to Roundstone but the deputation told him they were not convinced of that. In a document provided ta Mr Gavin it was shown that the Carna/Cill Chiaráin Water Scheme was put "an the map" in 1998 when Bobby Moiioy was in the Department af the Environment. The Cill Chiaráin/Carna Water Scheme was "very far down" in Galway County Councii's plans before that, according ta the deputation. After strong pressure from the Cil Chiaráin/Carna deputation Mr Liam Gavin agreed that a study would be made of the cost of linking another lake ta the water source.

The deputation was accompanied by Noei Grealish, T.D., Councilior Seosamh Ó Cuaig and Councilior Niail Ó Broicháin.