Boil Water Notice lifted for Ardfinnan Public Water Supply

In consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann and Tipperary County Council can confirm that the Boil Water Notice that was put in place last Friday, 06 August remains in place. The Boil Water Notice that affects approximately 11,245 customers served by the Ardfinnan Public Water Supply and also includes the Graigue Group Water Scheme was put in place due to elevated turbidity at the Water Treatment Plant following the recent heavy rainfall.

Areas impacted include;

Ardfinnan and surrounding areas, Grange, Knocklofty, Newcastle, Ballyclerihan,  Cahir (Clonmel side of the bridge, Tipperary Road and Mitchelstown road{R913}), Ballingarrane (as far as the Cahir road roundabout Clonmel),Market Hill and Red City area (Fethard).

Graigue Group Water scheme supplied by Ardfinnan PWS is also affected by this BWN.

Uisce Éireann's drinking water compliance and operational experts continue to work with colleagues in Tipperary County Council to resolve the issue as quickly and as safely as possible.

Colin Cunningham, Uisce Éireann said: "Uisce Éireann acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by the imposition of a Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. Testing and monitoring continue but we cannot be definitive about when we will be able to lift the notice as of yet. Public health is our number one priority and we will ensure the water is safe before we, along with our colleagues in Tipperary County Council and in consultation with the HSE are in a position to lift the notice."

In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Uisce Éireann is contacting registered vulnerable customers who are affected by this Boil Water Notice to advise them.

For queries regarding this Boil Water Notice, customers should contact Uisce Éireann directly on our customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. Updates will be available on the Supply and Service Updates section of our website and via Twitter @IWCare.

Further information on using water during a Boil Water Notice can be found on our website.

Boil Water Notice advice

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. It is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance when collecting water including social distancing and hand hygiene.
• 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
• Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na' is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.
• If you have pets and are concerned about the impact of providing mains water while this BWN is in place, you should ask your local vet for advice
• Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.

In consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann and Tipperary County Council can confirm that a Boil Water Notice has been put in place with immediate effect as a precaution to protect approximately 11,245 customers served by the Ardfinnan Public Water Supply due to elevated turbidity at the Water Treatment Plant caused by the recent heavy rainfall.

Areas impacted include:

Ardfinnan and surrounding areas, Grange, Knocklofty, Newcastle, Ballyclerihan,  Cahir (Clonmel side of the bridge, Tipperary Road and Mitchelstown road{R913}), Ballingarrane (as far as the Cahir road roundabout Clonmel),Market Hill, Red City area (Fethard) and Kilnamack West, Co. Waterford.

Graigue Group Water scheme supplied by Ardfinnan PWS is also affected by this BWN.

Uisce Éireann's drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Tipperary County Council to resolve the issue as quickly and as safely as possible.

Colin Cunningham, Uisce Éireann said: "Uisce Éireann acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by the imposition of a Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. We wish to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while we work to resolve this issue as soon as we can. Uisce Éireann's priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus."

In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Uisce Éireann is contacting registered vulnerable customers who are affected by this Boil Water Notice to advise them.

For queries regarding this Boil Water Notice, customers should contact Uisce Éireann directly on our customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. Updates will be available on the Supply and Service Updates section of our website and via Twitter @IWCare.

Further information on using water during a Boil Water Notice can be found on our website.

Boil Water Notice advice

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. It is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance when collecting water including social distancing and hand hygiene.
• 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
• Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na' is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.
• If you have pets and are concerned about the impact of providing mains water while this BWN is in place, you should ask your local vet for advice
• Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.