Up to 7,000 customers of Uisce Éireann, formerly Irish Water, in Co Limerick are facing the prospect of having to live with a boil notice warning for months.
Customers on the Foynes/Shannon Estuary public water supply have been on a boil water notice since 13 May following the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply.
The area affected stretches from Kildimo to Foynes and includes the towns of Askeaton, Pallaskenry, Shanagolden, Ballyhahill, Loghill, Ballysteen and surrounding areas.
Jackie Howard lives with her husband in Pallaskenry and has an underlying health condition.
She said she is fearful of using the water even after boiling it and it is costing her up to €20 a week to purchase bottled water.
She said: "It is a major cost to us and it is a big inconvenience in our lives. When you get up in the morning you cannot even use the water in the taps in the bathroom to wash your hands and face."
Local councillors recently had a meeting with staff from Uisce Eireann to discuss the issue.
Cllr Emmett O'Brien from Pallaskenry said they were told that it could possibly be next December when the problem is rectified.
He said: "This is totally unacceptable, there are 7,000 people affected and some of those are vulnerable and elderly people.
"I am calling on Uisce Éireann to address the problem here in a more urgent manner and to compensate the customers affected or at least provide water tankers in the affected areas", Cllr O’Brien added.
In a statement, Uisce Éireann said it is "progressing with plans to install an ultraviolet reactor at the Shannon Estuary Water Treatment Plant".
It said: "This reactor will render any cryptosporidium in the water inactive. This is a large piece of equipment, bespoke to the site and it requires a significant amount of accommodation works in advance of its installation.
"It is likely to take some months before this equipment is operational at the plant. Uisce Éireann is working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible.
"We will continue to provide regular updates to the community as we work to address these issues."
