Boil Water Notice issued to localised area of Loughrea Town

Boil Water Notice issued to localised area of Loughrea Town

Uisce Éireann and Galway County Council wish to remind customers that the Boil Water Notice (BWN) issued for localised areas in Loughrea Town remains in place for some areas. The BWN was issued to protect the health of approximately 1,000 customers upon detection of low chlorine residuals and elevated levels of iron and turbidity in the public water supply.

Extensive sampling and analysis has confirmed that the water network serving the areas listed below (approximately 350 customers) is in compliance with relevant chemical and microbiological requirements and is no longer subject to the BWN including Old Galway Road (Westbridge Junction to Coys Boreen Junction), Woodford Road (Barrack Street/Cross Street Junction southwards to St. Brendan’s Day Care Centre, Bride Street and The Hill (Main Street/Station Road Junction to Garrybreedia), Abbey Street, Gallows Hill and Cosmona (Junction of Dolphin Street).

Please note, the BWN remains in place for customers in the following areas including Castle Street, Church Street, King Street, Kelly Street, Piggott Street, Moore Street, Dolphin Street, Mount Carmel Crescent, Athenry Road, Liam Mellows Terrace, Cross Street, St. Brendans Day Care Centre, Caheronaun (Junction of Caheronaun Road/Bride Street to Caheronaun Park), Abbey Street to Old Cosmona via Gallows Hill).

An updated map of the affected area is attached and available to view on the Supply and Service Section of our website.

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of our website and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. 

Uisce Éireann’s Eoin Hughes acknowledges the impact of this notice on the community and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers, adding: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority, and we are working closely with Galway County Council to restore drinking water quality for all impacted customers and to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, and in consultation with the HSE.”

Eoin continued: “Some of this pipework is constructed from cast iron and, depending on the area, can be up to 100 years old. Old cast iron mains typically suffer from sediment being dislodged during repair or maintenance works, causing temporary discolouration of the water or the water appearing brown before it reaches customers’ taps. Usually running the tap for several minutes will restore the clear colour.”

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled. 

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 will be available on our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie including a map of the affected area, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. 

Information source – Irish Water at water.ie

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