Do Not Consume Water notice lifted for over 11,000 Uisce Éireann customers in Tipperary

Uisce Éireann has lifted the close to three-week long Do Not Consume Water Notice applying to over 11,000 customers on the Ardfinnan Regional Water Supply Scheme following consultation with the HSE.

The utility said this was an important step for communities across the area who have experienced significant disruption in recent weeks and repeated interruptions to their water supply over recent months.

The lifting of the notice follows the completion of critical works at Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant, an extensive targeted flushing programme across the network and comprehensive water quality sampling at both the plant and across the regional network over the weekend.

The results have now been assessed in consultation with the HSE, confirming that the Do Not Consume Notice is no longer required.

The notice had been in place since October 1 following an issue with the treatment process at the Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant which led to intermittent high levels of aluminium in the water supply.

“We recognise the disruption this caused for households, businesses and the wider community and following on from concerns raised, the HSE have provided specific advice for the general public indicating there is little known risk from short-term exposure at the levels that were seen in Ardfinnan Water Treatment Plant,” said Uisce Éireann in a statement issued this afternoon.

However, the utility said customers must continue to boil water before drinking, preparing food or drinks, brushing teeth or making ice, as the Boil Water Notice remains in place.

“Our focus is now on lifting the Boil Water Notice as quickly and safely as possible. The completion of the works at Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant is an important step. Further testing and monitoring will now continue to provide the evidence required, in consultation with the HSE, to determine when the Boil Water Notice can safely be lifted.”

Uisce Éireann’s Fionnuala Callery said:

“We know how challenging this period has been for communities served by the Ardfinnan Regional Water Supply. People have had to manage both the restrictions associated with the Do Not Consume Notice and repeated interruptions to their water supply over recent months. We sincerely apologise for that disruption and thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

“The lifting of the Do Not Consume Notice is an important step forward. Our teams have completed critical works at Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant, carried out extensive flushing across the network and completed the water quality sampling required to reach this point.

“Our focus now is on lifting the Boil Water Notice as quickly and safely as possible. We will continue the necessary testing and monitoring and work closely with the HSE so that it can be lifted when it is safe to do so.

Our upgrade programme at the plant is nearing completion and we are committed to improving the reliability and resilience of the Ardfinnan Regional Water Supply. However, we recognise that ongoing sustained investment will be needed to strengthen the overall water supply and provide greater resilience for communities into the future.”

Throughout the notice, tankers, bottled water and bulk water supplies have been made available to support communities across the affected area. We thank local communities for their co-operation and support throughout this period. Alternative water supplies will continue to be provided to vulnerable customers as required while the Boil Water Notice remains in place.

For support or questions about the notice, customers can contact Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Further information and free local water-service text alerts are available at water.ie.

HSE advice in relation to elevated aluminium levels in water at Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant in recent weeks

The main risk from aluminium in drinking water is from ongoing exposure. There is little known risk from short-term exposure at the levels that were seen in Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant.

There have been elevated aluminium levels in the plant over the last few weeks, but these have not been at the level where the World Health Organization (WHO) regards them to have any negative health effects.

Last week, levels rose above the WHO health guideline value, above which water shouldn’t be consumed on an ongoing basis. Therefore, Uisce Eireann issued a Do Not Consume (DNC) notice for the population served by Goatenbridge Water treatment plant. Levels of aluminium in the drinking water were elevated only for a short time before the DNC was implemented.

Because of the short duration of time in which aluminium levels were elevated above the WHO guideline value, we regard the risk to people drank this water prior to the issuing of the DNC to be very low.