Do Not Consume notice continues on Achill water supply
A DO Not Consume notice issued on Friday for all consumers and visitors to Achill supplied by the Achill Public Water Supply Scheme and the Slievemore 1, Doogort 2, Dooinver, Dooega and Saile group water schemes remains in place.
Additional water supplies are now in place to support residents and visitors at the following additional locations from today (Sunday):
Belfarsad Church
Achill Sound Hotel
Bunnacurry Church
Dookinella National School
Slivemore Holiday Village
Keel Hall
Aquarium, Keel
Cuan Aoibhinn Housing, Keel
Dooagh National School
Tankers of water continue to be in place at the following locations:
Alice’s Achill Sound
House of Prayer, Achill Sound
Ted Lavelle's, Cashel
Barrett's Costcutter, Keek
Gieltys, Dooega
Valley National School
Masterson's Bar, Doogort
Doogort Campsite
Corraun Community Centre
Tonragee National School
Saile National School
Patten's Bar, Derreens
Lavelle's Bar, Dooega
Bunnacurry National School
Dookinella National School
Dooinver National School
Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.
It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants. Water is safe to use for handwashing and personal hygiene and customers should continue to follow public health advice on handwashing at this time.
It is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance when collecting water including social distancing and hand hygiene.
With the support of Mayo County Council, Irish Water are providing bottled water to vulnerable customers, with more bottled water being delivered tomorrow. Any vulnerable customers who have concerns can contact the customer care team on 1850 278 278.
With the water treatment plant continuing to see high levels of demand, Irish Water are once again asking customers and visitors to Achill to conserve water wherever possible. There are ways to conserve water that will not impact on hygiene or handwashing. Simple water conservation efforts can have a big impact on reducing demand on the supply.
Taking a shower instead of a bath or using a watering can rather than a hose when gardening can make a big difference in water use.
People with responsibility for properties that are currently unoccupied are asked to check for leaks and turn off water where it is not required.
Irish Water is working closely with Mayo County Council to lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so and to safeguard the water supply for the future.
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, washing of hands, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils