The Galway Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for Government intervention to help solve the problem of contaminated public water supplies in the region which, it says, is posing a threat to tourism.
Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Michael Coyle, said it was "extremely worrying to be told that the situation could now last for several months, perhaps even for as long as six months."
He said many hoteliers were already experiencing cancellations and added that it was now time for a national response.
Mr Coyle's plea comes after the Director of Services of Galway City Council estimated earlier today that it could take two months before mechanisms are in place to make tap water safe to drink.
Authorities in the region have extended the water warning to south Mayo and to all drinking water sourced from Lough Corrib.
A spokesperson for the Health Services Executive told ireland.com this afternoon that the warning was extended to south Mayo "as a precautionary measure" and that water tests in the region were "clear" to-date.
However, as of this afternoon there are 125 confirmed cases in Galway city and county of the gastrointestinal illness associated with the cryptosporidium parasite found in the contaminated water.
Galway City and Co Councils are still trying to ascertain the cause of the contamination.