How the crisis unfolded since March

March 15, 2007: HSE West issues "boil water" notice for 90,000 residents in Galway city and county, due to unseasonal rise in…

March 15, 2007:HSE West issues "boil water" notice for 90,000 residents in Galway city and county, due to unseasonal rise in illness caused by the cryptosporidium parasite.

March 16:Alert extended to residents in south Mayo relying on Corrib system.

March 22:EPA says it identified Galway city's supply as being at "very high risk" of cryptosporidium contamination in 2005.

March 28:Cryptosporidium hominis, the strain linked to human sewage, confirmed for the first time in some of 80 cases identified by laboratory since January.

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March 29:Political row erupts as then minister for the environment Dick Roche claims €21.5 million allocated to upgrade Galway waterworks has not been drawn down.

April 18:Mr Roche allocates additional €1 million to deal with water contamination.

April 23:Some 150 people protest outside Galway City Hall over the crisis.

April 30:HSE West estimates up to 2,000 people may have the illness. Children under 10-years-old the main victims among 210 laboratory-confirmed cases.

July 9:Alert lifted for 20,000 people in county border area east of city.

August 20:Alert lifted for 70,000 people in remaining affected areas.