Boil Water Notice lifted for customers supplied by Galtee Regional Public Water Supply
Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section
The Boil Water Notice on the Galtee Regional Public Water Supply has been lifted with immediate effect. Uisce Éireann can confirm that, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, customers on this supply can now resume normal use of their water supply. This follows remedial works with consistent satisfactory sampling results.
The Boil Water Notice was issued on 13 November to protect the health of approximately 16,000 customers following increased turbidity which had impacted the treatment processes at the plant.
Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann worked hard to lift the notice for impacted customers as quickly and as safely as possible.
Uisce Éireann’s John Fogarty acknowledged the impact of the notice on the community. “Uisce Éireann regrets the inconvenience that the Boil Water Notice had on the customers of the Galtee Regional Public Supply. I would like to thank them for their patience and support while our drinking water experts worked to lift it as quickly as it was safe to do so.”
Boil Water Notices in place for the Glenary Water Treatment Plant in Clonmel and the Ardfinnan Regional Supply Scheme remain in effect until further notice.
The notice for the Glenary supply was put in place on 23 October due to issues at the plant as well as the presence of Giardia in the water supply, while the Boil Water Notice for the Ardfinnan Regional Supply Scheme was put in place on 4 September due to high turbidity and subsequently, the presence of cryptosporidium in the raw water source.
Public health remains Uisce Éireann number one priority, and we will continue to monitor the supplies and will seek to lift both notices as soon as it is safe.
Customers on each of the supplies are advised to continue to boil their water before use until further notice.
The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre, open 24/7 on freephone 1800 278 278, is available to answer queries in relation to the lifting of this notice.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.
Previous Updates
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann has issued a Boil Water Notice for customers supplied by the Galtee Regional Public Supply.
This notice is being issued to protect the health of over 16,000 customers due to elevated levels of turbidity impacting water quality at the Rossadrehid Water Treatment Plant.
Customers impacted include all areas on the Galtee Regional Public Water Supply including Emly, Lattin, Ballinard, Cullen, Ballywire, Kilross, Limerick Junction, Monard, Lisvarnane, Rosadrehid, Bansha, Tankerstown, Kilfeacle, Golden, Cashel, Rosegreen, New Inn, Knockgraffan, Clonpet, Thomastown, Donaskeagh and surrounding areas. Ballincroona, Cromhill Kilteely and the surrounding areas of County Limerick are also impacted.
Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of our website and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.
A map of the area is attached and available to view on the supply and service section of our website.
Uisce Éireann’s Pierce Faherty said: “We acknowledge the inconvenience of a Boil Water Notice on the local community and assure those impacted that we are working as quickly and efficiently as possible to lift the notice".
Uisce Éireann’s drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins to safeguard public health. 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;
- 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;
- Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
- Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.
Updates are available on our Water Supply Updates section, on X @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.
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