HSE concerned at lack of proper sanitation in flood-hit areas
21/11/2009 - 15:33:03There is an emerging public health crisis in Cork after the local council confirmed that thousands of homes will be without running water until next weekend at the earliest.
It follows severe damage to one of the city's major water treatment plants in yesterday's floods.
HSE officials have expressed concern at a lack of proper sanitation, particularly as many people won't have access to hot water to wash their hands, a vital defence against swine flu.
The Army has been drafted in to help provide drinking water to tens of thousands of people living on Cork's northside.
The water supply to large parts of Cork city was turned off early yesterday after it emerged that the Lee Road treatment plant had been flooded.
The council say vital equipment was under seven metres of flood water.
City manager Joe Gavin admits it is "a very serious crisis".
Schools have been told to close, while drinking water is being provided at a number of locations and Cork's Lord Mayor Dara Murphy is appealing to people's community spirit.
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