Do Not Consume Notice issued to protect customers supplied by the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply 

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section

Customers supplied by the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply in Co Kerry are being advised not to consume their tap water until further notice. The notice has been issued following the detection of an issue affecting the raw water source. We have taken this measure to protect public health while our teams undertake emergency works to address the problem and restore a safe water supply.

All customers served by the Ballyheigue Public Water Supply should not use their tap water for drinking, preparing food, cooking, or brushing teeth. The Western catchment regions of the Clanmaurice Group Water Scheme, which serves the townlands of Kerry Head, Ballyongane, Boolenshare,Cleandries, Cloghaneleesh, Dromnacara, Ballinclemesig and Rathmorrel is also included in the Do Not Consume Notice.

Boiling the water will not make it safe to drink, and it is particularly important that water from the tap is not given to bottle-fed babies.  

Our team at Uisce Éireann understands this will be concerning and disruptive for households, schools and businesses in the area. Everyone relies on having safe drinking water in their homes and workplaces and we want to reassure the community that protecting public health is our absolute priority.  While issuing a Do Not Consume Notice is always a last resort, taking prompt action to protect public health is our responsibility. Working closely with the HSE and other stakeholders, we are taking every necessary step to identify the cause of the issue and restore a safe drinking water supply as quickly as possible.  

Customers can check if their property is affected by visiting the Water Quality section of water.ie and entering their Eircode or by contacting Uisce Éireann's customer care team, available 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the affected area is also available on the Supply and Service section of water.ie.  Vulnerable customers who are registered with Uisce Éireann will be contacted directly.

To help support customers while the notice is in place, an alternative water supply will be available in the following locations from 9pm tonight. 

• Causeway Church car park
• Kilmoyley Church car park 
• Ballyheigue beach car park
• Ballyheigue old graveyard 
• Cantillon’s Cross Kerry Head

Customers are asked to bring their own containers when collecting water from the tanker. Water from the alternative supply should be boiled before drinking, in line with HSE advice.  

Eoin O’Connell of Uisce Éireann said the team appreciates that the situation is disruptive and has thanked the community for its patience. “Protecting public health is always our top priority. We want to stress that, unlike a Boil Water Notice, boiling the water will not make it safe to consume. We appreciate the support of the community in following the advice issued while our teams work to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible,” said Eoin.

 Uisce Éireann's drinking water standards are among the strictest in Europe and include significant safety margins. Where potential risks to public health are identified through Uisce Éireann's testing and monitoring programme, the HSE is consulted and precautionary notices may be issued to protect customers.  

This water should not be used for: 

• Drinking
• Preparing drinks with water
• Food preparation, washing food or cooking food
• Brushing of teeth
• Making of ice
• 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 one 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 make the 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  
   

Customers can stay informed about their local water service by checking the supply and service section of our website, checking our live feed at X @IWCare, or signing up to receive real-time text updates. Our customer care team is also available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.