IRISH Water and Limerick City and County Council staff have been working around the clock to restore a normal water supply to customers on the Rathkeale public water supply where a Do Not Drink notice remains in place.
Drilling and other site works have been taking place all this week to develop a new water source for the area. Good progress has been made in opening a new borehole and initial results suggest that this has the potential to provide a much improved supply for the area.
However, in order to protect public health the HSE has outlined a number of criteria that must be satisfied before this new source can be brought into production. This includes extensive testing of the water over a period of time.
It is likely that it would be late next week or early the following week before this new supply could be brought into production, subject to testing and consultation with the HSE.
While water quality has improved in the existing source, the turbidity (cloudiness) remains too high. We are continuing to monitor this and if the quality of the water improves it may be possible to lift the Do Not Drink notice earlier.
“Irish Water would like to assure customers in the area that we are liaising closely with the HSE and all other relevant agencies in relation to this and are progressing this work as quickly as possible,” said Ian O’Mahony, Irish Water’s Operations Lead.
“We will continue to keep the public informed of the situation in the area and if customers have any additional queries, they can contact the 24/7 customer care line at 1850 278 278.”
In the meantime, customers in the area are advised that the Do Not Drink notice remains in place. This applies to all areas supplied by the Rathkeale Public Water Supply, including Rathkeale town and surrounding areas and Knockaderry (see attached map).
Alternative water supplies will continue to be made available in the area until the notice is lifted. There are currently water tankers in place in The Square, Rathkeale and at the church carpark in Knockaderry.
Members of the public can fill their own containers from these tankers if they are unattended. While this water is safe to drink, people are advised to boil the water before use as the containers may not be fully sterile.
Supplies of water are also being delivered to vulnerable customers and schools in the area. Elderly or vulnerable customers who need supplies of water in the area and who have not registered with Irish Water can contact 1850 278 278 to do so.
We acknowledge that this Do Not Drink notice is causing inconvenience for people living in the area and would like thank them for their patience and support as we work to resolve this issue.
Please note that boiling the water does not make it safe to drink.
Additional information and advice is available at Water Supply Updates.
