Galway City Manager Joe McGrath this evening ruled out the provision of free water to the citizens of Galway.
In a letter circulated to city councilors, he pointed out that free water was not an option because the local authority could not keep tabs on such a scheme.
He said it would wipe out the business of water companies in Galway and free water would be hoarded by some people and sold in other parts of the country.
He circulated his opinion while 250 people protested outside City Hall over having to pay for water during the cryptosporidium outbreak.
Separately, 200 residents from the village of Eyrecourt staged a demonstration at Galway County Hall this afternoon to protest at the spreading of sludge from Mutton Island on farmland in the area.
They say it presents a health and safety hazard. They now want the council to halt the spreading operation.
