Residents of two Irish towns have been warned not to drink the water from their tap after it became contaminated with arsenic.
Up to 70 families living in the Kilteel and Naas areas of Kildare have been asked not to drink their water.
While the water can still be used for washing purposes, people are warned that the water must not be consumed and is highly toxic.
Boiling the water for drinking is also not advised as it will not make it safe for drinking.
Speaking to Kildare Now, Local councillor Fintan Brett called for the authorities to deploy water tankers to provide a safe and accessible supply for local families.
The homes affected are believed to be a part of a group water scheme that is privately owned.
It is understood that the homes may need to be connected to the public water supply for a substantial period of time while the problem is resolved.
“The water is fine for some uses, but not for drinking, and you could have a situation where it snows heavily as it did a few years ago and no water would be available. At that time, this community was snowed in,” Cllr Brett told Kildare Now."
He added: “I understand that the contamination is well above the safe limits, and I’ll be calling on Irish Water and Kildare County Council to step up to the plate and find an immediate and long term solution.”
