Thousands of people in Westmeath were advised to boil water before using it for consumption this week due to a mechanical issue with the Bellany water treatment plant.
Irish Water in consultation with the HSE and Westmeath County Council issued a boil water notice on Tuesday for households served by the Ballany Water Treatment Plant, also known locally as the Castlepollard Low Level Public Water Supply. The notice, which was still in effect on Wednesday evening, affects about 4,000 people in Castlepollard, Delvin, Coole, Whitehall, Drumcree, Bracklyn, and surrounding areas.
The notice was put in place as a precaution following a mechanical issue with the chlorination system at the Ballany water treatment plant that resulted in the disinfection process being compromised. Irish Water said its drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Westmeath County Council to resolve the issue as quickly and as safely as possible.
In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.
Irish Water acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by the imposition of a Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. We wish to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while we work to resolve this issue. Irish Water’s priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus.
Irish Water is contacting registered vulnerable customers who are affected by this boil water notice to advise them.
For queries regarding this boil water notice, the Irish Water customer care helpline is available 24/7, on 1850 278 278. Updates will be available on the Water Supply updates section of the Irish Water website and via Twitter @IWCare.
Further information on using water during a boil water notice can be found at www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/boil-water-notice
