On Monday last, June 19, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann and Mayo County Council issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 160 customers supplied by the Clare Island Public Water Supply. This follows the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply.
The notice stated: "Uisce Éireann’s primary focus is and always will be the protection of public health. Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann and Mayo County Council are working, in consultation with the HSE, to implement solutions to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil and cool their water before use until further notice."
Uisce Eireann’s Ger Greally acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community.
“Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly as possible.”
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.
Updates are available in the Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via the customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.
