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Utility hopeful BWN can be lifted next week

Irish Water would like to remind residents of Ballymacarbry, supplied by the Ballymacarbry Public Water Supply that the Boil Water Notice remains in place and to continue to boil their water before use. Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Waterford City and County Council issued a Boil Water Notice on Friday, May 13 to protect the health of approximately 671 consumers supplied by the Ballymacarbry Public Water Supply scheme. The utility is working towards lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as possible with testing and works ongoing, and are hopeful the notice can be lifted next week, once the satisfactory results are received.

Ballymacabry has experienced water shortages over previous summers, and in an effort to supplement the supply a new trail well was drilled. The works on site resulted in increased turbidity in the supply and experts are currently working to bring in the new supply and reduce the increased levels in turbidity.

This Boil Water Notice applies to all consumers supplied by the Ballymacarbry Public Water Supply including the following areas: Ballymacarbry, Castlereagh, Knockalisheen, Nire and Fourmilewater. Customers can also check if they are impacted by this Boil Water Notice by visiting www.water.ie/help/water-quality/ and entering their property’s Eircode in the search bar.

Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers, adding: “We understand the frustration in the community that the Boil Water Notice has not yet been lifted. However, public health is Irish Water’s number one priority, and we are working closely with Waterford City and County Council to restore drinking water quality for all impacted customers in Ballymacarbry and to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, and in consultation with the HSE. We regret the impact that this Boil Water Notice will have on the local community and would like to assure them that we are prioritising works to restore a safe water supply with a view of lifting the notice as soon as it is safe to do so.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled. In line with HSE advice on hand washing, Irish Water advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.

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. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na’ is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.

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 water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.