Boil water notices in two Waterford areas 'until further notice' amid update

Boil Water Notices are set to be ongoing for customers on Ballymacarbry and Poulnagunogue Public Water Supplies, until further notice in Waterford.

All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking, while Uisce Éireann water experts work to rectify the issues.

Once boiled, the water is safe to consume.

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

Please discard of ice cubes in fridges and freezers, along with filtered water in fridges. 

 What actions to be taken:

• Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked
• 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.

Uisce Éireann is  hoping to enable the lifting of the notices as quickly and as safely as possible.

Please note that there are two Poulavonogue supplies in the Clonmel area. This notice relates to the small scheme historically managed by Waterford County Council.

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Maura Phelan, of Uisce Éireann, said, “We acknowledge the impact this is having on the communities, and we are working to resolve the issues at both supplies. Public health is our number one priority, and we will continue to monitor the supplies and seek to lift both notices as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Where risks to water quality are identified, the HSE is consulted, and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health.

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the website here, and entering the property’s Eircode. 

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann will receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices.

Uisce Éireann’s drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins.