Do not consume notice issued for Achill Water Supply Scheme
A Do Not Consume notice for all consumers on the Achill Water Supply Scheme has been issued due to elevated levels of aluminium and turbidity (cloudiness) in the water supply.
The notice applies to 2,400 residents and all of the visitors to Achill supplied by the Achill Public Water Supply Scheme and the following group water schemes - Slievemore 1, Doogort 2, Dooinver, Dooega and Saile.
It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants.
The notice issued this evening following consultation with the Health Service Executive and Irish Water, working in partnership with Mayo County Council.
Customers are asked to note that this is not a boil water notice. Boiling the water will not reduce aluminium and turbidity levels and is therefore not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume.
This notice does not apply to other areas and water schemes in Co. Mayo.
Mayo County Council are currently mobilising water tankers to Achill Island to provide an alternative water supply to customers. A number of these tankers will be operational this evening (Friday). Further tankers will be in place tomorrow morning.
Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure. Bottled water is being arranged for delivery to vulnerable customers.
Irish Water drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Mayo County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible.
Ger Greally, operations in Irish Water, said: “We acknowledge the impact of this notice on the local community in Achill Island. Tankers of water and bottled water will be delivered to the households impacted this evening and tomorrow.
“We would ask vulnerable customers who have concerns to contact our customer care team on 1850 278 278.
“Water is safe to use for handwashing and personal hygiene. Customers on this water supply scheme should continue to follow public health advice on handwashing at this time.
“We are working closely with our colleagues in Mayo County Council to lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so and safeguard the water supply for the future.”
Updates will be available on the Water Supply Updates section on the Irish Water website, on Twitter @IWCare and via the customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1850 278 278.
Please note important advice below.
This water should not be used for:
Drinking
Drinks made with water
Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
Brushing of teeth
Making of ice
Children under 12 months old should not drink this water
In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. 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.
Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges
What can you use water for?
The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
Irish Water and Mayo County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.