A BOIL water notice has been put into effect for thousands of households supplied by the Rathkeale Public Water Supply including areas in Newcastle West along the N21 and the Ardagh areas.
In a statement issued this evening, Irish Water said the water supply is potentially unsafe to drink due to inadequate disinfection and the notice was issued after consultation with the HSE.
All consumers affected by the notice must boil their water before drinking.
Irish Water’s Duane O’Brien said that because public health is their top priority, they couldn’t take any chances with the disinfection process.
” We were alerted to high turbidity at the treatment plant this afternoon and, as a result, could not guarantee the disinfection process was not affected.
“We will monitor the supply and lift the notice as soon as it is safe to do so and in consultation with the HSE,” Mr O’Brien added.
Water must be boiled for a minute and then cooled for drinking, preparing drinks made with water, preparing salads and similar foods which are not cooked prior to eating, brushing teeth and gargling.
Water from the hot tap in kitchen or bathroom sinks is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink.
