Boil water notice remains in place in Culdaff two months on

The Boil Water Notice was issued in February ‘to protect public health following elevated turbidity levels which affected the treatment process at Culdaff Water Treatment Plant. ‘

Approximately 1,300 customers on the supply are affected, including customers of the Three Glens Group Water Scheme. Uisce Éireann confirmed that well drilling and yield testing are currently underway at Culdaff Water Treatment Plant.

A spokesperson said: “These works are essential to informing the design of a new water treatment plant, which is intended to increase water availability for Culdaff and surrounding areas in the longer term. “Unfortunately, the ongoing drilling activity has resulted in increased turbidity in the water being produced at the plant. As a result, the Boil Water Notice must remain in place at this time. “Protecting public health is Uisce Éireann’s highest priority. Drinking water remains safe to use once boiled in line with Health Service Executive (HSE) advice. “Customers can check if their property is included by visiting www.water.ie and entering their Eircode, or by contacting Uisce Éireann’s 24/7 Customer Care Helpline on 1800 278 278. A map of the affected area is also available to view in the Supply and Service section of water.ie.” Damien O’Sullivan of Uisce Éireann said: “We know this Boil Water Notice is frustrating for customers and the wider community, and we appreciate people’s patience while works continue. Our teams are carrying out well drilling and testing at Culdaff Water Treatment Plant to help plan a longer‑term solution for the area. In the short-term, this work has affected water clarity, so the Boil Water Notice needs to stay in place for now. We want to reassure customers that protecting public health is our priority, and the notice will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so and agreed with the HSE.” In the meantime, all customers on the Culdaff Public Water Supply are advised to continue boiling their water before use until further notice. “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. 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 www.water.ie, on X @IWCare and via the customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.