Uisce Éireann working to lift boil water notice impacting Mayo island
Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Mayo County Council, is continuing to work to lift the boil water notice in place for customers supplied by the Clare Island public water supply.
The notice, issued in June, remains in place to protect the health of approximately 160 customers following the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply. Uisce Éireann is investigating the cause of the crypto detection and is working on implementing measures to ensure it doesn’t occur in the future.
While drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann and Mayo County Council are working to rectify the issues at the treatment plant, all customers on this supply are advised to continue to boil their water before use until further notice. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.
Ger Greally of Uisce Éireann said: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and I want to acknowledge the inconvenience that this boil water notice is causing to the local community.
“Please be assured we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible. We are currently progressing with plans to design and install equipment at the plant to increase the robustness of the treatment process to reduce the cryptosporidium risk. In the meantime, we will continue to provide regular updates to the community as we work to address these issues.”
Uisce Éireann’s drinking water standards, as per EU drinking water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins. Where risks to water quality are identified through Uisce Éireann’s enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is consulted and boil water notices are issued to protect public health. In all instances immediate action is taken to address the cause of the issue to enable the lifting of the notice as quickly as it safe to do so, in agreement with the HSE.
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on boil water notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.
Water must be boiled for drinking, drinks made with water, reparation of salads and similar foods which are not cooked prior to eating, brushing of teeth and making of ice. Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets. Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water.
Updates are available on the water supply updates section of the Uisce Éireann website (water.ie), on Twitter (@IWCare) and via the customer care helpline on 1800 278 278 (open 24/7).