Many families have been without a safe water supply due to the emergence of lead in the system, but now they are unable to cover the costs of connecting themselves to a new supply.
The onus is on the Department of the Environment and Galway City Council to replace the lead network, but only to the boundary of a private property.
This means that it is then in the hands of a household to continue the network until it joins their premises.
Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has stated as yet there is no government commitment to fund the extension of the water pipes to the homes in question, but she is to approach the council to apply for funding from the Minister of Housing.
Fidelma Healy Eames was elected in 2007 by the Labour panel called Seanad Eireann.