Uisce Éireann working to lift Boil Water Notices issued for some customers in Tipperary

Uisce Éireann in partnership with Tipperary County Council continue to progress works to lift the Boil Water Notices put in place to protect the health of approximately 19,240 customers supplied by Crottys Lake, Templetney, Glenary, and Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plants. The notices were put in place due to industrial action, arising from a dispute between the Unite Trade Union and 12 Local Authorities. 

A statement issued earlier said the following: 

Uisce Éireann’s primary focus is and always will be the protection of public health. Due to the strike action, Uisce Éireann has taken steps to protect public health by imposing Boil Water Notices on these schemes. All customers in the following areas are advised to continue to boil their water before consuming until further notice: 

All customers on the Templetney Borehole Public Water Supply which include: Templetney, Ballypatrick, Ballyneill, Kilsheelan, Graigue, Lissadober, Killurney, and surrounding areas; and the Derrinular and Kilgainey areas in Co. Waterford. 

All consumers supplied by the Glenary Public Water Supply which includes parts of Clonmel Town centre and surrounding areas including Cashel Road, Cahir Road and Ring Road; and the Kilcomma/Finger Post areas in Co. Waterford.

All customers on the Clonmel Poulavanogue Public Water Supply which includes Clonmel, Poulavanogue and surrounding areas; and the Mountain Road and Knocklucas areas in Co. Waterford. 

All customers on the Carrick an Suir (Crotty Lake) Public Water Supply Scheme which includes Abbey Hill, Mass Road, Brookdale, Saint Mollerans, Connolly Park, Castlecourt, Waterford Road, Mothal Road, Sweet Auburn, Manor Close, Woodland Heights and north of the River Suir; Hazel Close, Oak Drive, Beech Avenue, Sycamore Close, Mount Saint Nicholas, Greenhills, and surrounding areas; and the Jonestown area in Co. Waterford.

Uisce Eireann’s Jim Fitzgerald acknowledged the impact of these notices across Tipperary.

“Uisce Éireann’s primary focus remains the protection of public health. Due to the strike action arising from a dispute between the Unite Trade Union and 12 Local Authorities, Uisce Éireann took the necessary steps to protect public health by imposing Boil Water Notices on these schemes. Following an assessment this morning on the treatment plants and processes post-strike, we will need to ensure the network and reservoir levels are sufficiently restored before the plants can return to full production and before we can safely lift the Boil Water Notices.” 

Jim added: “I would like thank the communities across Tipperary who are impacted by the notice for their patience and support, and we are also grateful to elected representatives and the media for their assistance in sharing the latest information over the past number of days. Please be assured we are working hard to resolve and lift the notice as quickly as possible.”

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of www.water.ie and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the area impacted is available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie. 

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 at https://www.water.ie/?map=supply-and-service-updates

at https://www.water.ie/ as well as on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.