Boil water notice for Clare Island water supply remains in place

Irish Water and Mayo County Council have confirmed that the boil notice issued in respect of the Clare Ireland water supply on June 18 remains in place until further notice.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Mayo County Council issued a boil water notice as a precaution to protect approximately 165 customers following the detection of cryptosporidium during sampling of the supply.

The boil water notice remains in place pending the completion of works and receipt of satisfactory monitoring results.

Cryptosporidium is a tiny parasite found in human and animal waste.

If it is swallowed (ingested), it can cause a disease called cryptosporidiosis.

The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include fever, stomach upset, weight loss and diarrhoea.

Cryptosporidium may be found in water if it has been contaminated or if there has been a problem with water treatment.

Irish Water and Mayo County Council have completed an assessment of the scope of upgrade works required to be undertaken at the existing water treatment plant on Clare Island in order to lift the boil water notice as quickly as possible.

A contractor is currently undertaking these works which are expected to be completed in the coming days.

Upon completion of these works, a sampling programme agreed in consultation with the HSE will then be undertaken.

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