Do Not Consume notice in place in parts of Waterford due to elevated levels of arsenic
Uisce Éireann say this not a boil water notice and the water cannot be consumed even after boiling. Stock Image.
Uisce Éireann and the HSE have issued a Do Not Consume Notice for all customers on the Ballyogarty water supply, due to elevated levels of naturally occurring arsenic in the water.
The notice affects 576 customers and applies to the areas of Ballyogarty, Graigueshoneen, Cooltubrid East, and areas of Kilmacthomas, including Union Road, Hillside Crescent, Hillside Close and Cruachán View.
Uisce Eireann says this is not a boil water notice and the water, even boiled, is not suitable to consume.
It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle-fed infants.
Alternative water supplies will be in place later this evening at Kilmacthomas GAA Club.
The alternative water supply will be replenished daily.
Uisce Éireann is reminding people to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.
Uisce Éireann, James Joyce said, all efforts are being made to lift the notice as soon as possible.
“Uisce Éireann understands the impact a Do Not Consume Notice has on the community, and we can assure impacted customers that we are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Mr Joyce.
- Drinking
- Drinks made with water
- Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
- Brushing of teeth
- Making of ice
- Children under 12 months old should not drink this water.
- Children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottle-fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. 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.
- A ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
- Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink.
- Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water.
- Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers, and filtered water in fridges.
- The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils.
- Uisce Éireann will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.
Uisce Éireann is committed to keeping customers informed across multiple platforms 24/7, and we encourage customers to engage with us through our website, X channels @IWCare and @IrishWater, on Facebook and LinkedIn, and through our customer care helpline, which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.
Uisce Éireann also has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at www.water.ie.
