LIVE: Over 4,000 people hit by Boil Water Notice due to 'elevated levels of ammonia'

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann has issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 4,170 customers supplied by the Carrick-on-Suir Linguan public water supply.

This notice is being issued due to a deterioration in the raw water quality caused by elevated levels of ammonia which has impacted the treatment processes at the water treatment plant.

The water treatment plant halted production Friday, January 24, and began working off reserves, however due to low reservoir levels a Boil Water Notice has been issued to maintain an adequate supply to customers.

READ MORE: Lidl supermarket in Tipperary damaged during Storm Éowyn

Areas impacted include all customers on the Carrick-on-Suir (Linguan) Public Water Supply which includes North side of the River Suir as well as Friar Street Upper, Corpse Road, Rack Hill, South Quay and Bridge street on the South side of the River Suir and surrounding areas.

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting www.water.ie and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.

All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.

Uisce Éireann’s, Operations Manager, Colin Cunningham acknowledged the impact this notice will have on the community, and assured customers that we are working to safely lift this notice in the shortest possible timeframe.

“I would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. The water treatment plant shut down yesterday due to elevated ammonia in the raw water and we were working off our reserves. However, the volume of treated water storage in the reservoir has now reached critical levels. In order to maintain a supply for customers we are issuing this Boil Water Notice. Ammonia can sometimes arise in water-courses as a result of uncontrolled discharge/run-off from a number of sources including on occasion from agricultural or industrial use. We would ask any such businesses in the vicinity/catchment to check their property to see if there could be any such discharge occurring."

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.