Boil water notice affects consumers in east Mayo

FOLLOWING advice from the Health Service Executive, Irish Water, working in partnership with Sligo County Council, has issued a boil water notice on the Lough Talt Regional Water Supply Scheme following the detection of cryptosporidium in the treated water coming from the plant after a routine test.

A population of approximately 13,000 people are affected including the towns of Tubbercurry and Ballymote, and a large rural hinterland including the villages of Annagh, Aclare, Curry, Charlestown, Lavagh, Ballanacarrow Carroweden, Kilmacteige and Coolaney.

A map of the scheme will be made available on Irish Water and Sligo County Council’s websites.

Commenting, Seamus Granahan, regional operations manager from Irish Water, said: “Public health is our number one priority and it is imperative that people adhere to the boil water notice. We will be contacting vulnerable customers supplied by this scheme who have self-declared to Irish Water directly by telephone.

“Irish Water sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that will be caused and we will work closely with local stakeholders and elected representatives to keep the local community updated.”

Irish Water will be carrying out weekly sampling at multiple sites in the scheme with a view to getting the boil water notice lifted if there are sufficient clear samples over a number of weeks. However, if further positive results for cryptosporidium are confirmed it is likely that the notice would be extended until additional treatment process barriers are put in place. This will involve the construction of new water treatment plant for which planning permission will be required.

Irish Water is liaising with the HSE and an incident management team has been set up to give full attention to this incident.

 

Water must be boiled for:

• Drinking

• Drinks made with water

• Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating

• Brushing of teeth

• Making of ice

• Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.

What actions should be taken:

• Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads).

• Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling.

• Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink.

• Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water.

• Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times.

 

Further information and additional advice for customers is available on www.water.ie or by calling 1850 278 278.