News
17 December 2019 Go back to News
Boil Water Notice lifted for customers on the Castlepollard High Level Public Water Supply
Boil Water Notice lifted with immediate effect
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Westmeath County Council can confirm that the Boil Water Notice in place for all customers on the Castlepollard High Level public water supply, since 6 December has been lifted with immediate effect.
The Boil Water Notice was been put in place as a precaution following a mechanical issue at the water treatment plant that resulted in the disinfection process being compromised. Irish Water’s drinking water compliance and operational experts worked with colleagues in Westmeath County Council to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The mechanical issue at the plant has been resolved and the disinfection process is operating normally.
Irish Water acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by this Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. We wish to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while we worked to resolve this issue. Irish Water’s priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus.
More information
Should customers have any queries regarding this Boil Water Notice and the lifting of it they should contact Irish Water directly on our customer care helpline 1850 278 278. Updates are available on the Water Supply Updates section on our website, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline open 24/7.
Notice in place following a mechanical issue at the water treatment plant
In consultation with the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Westmeath County Council can confirm that a Boil Water Notice has been put in place with immediate effect for all customers on the Castlepollard High Level public water supply.
The Boil Water Notice affects approximately 1,500 people. The area affected are Ballymanus, Hilltown, Slieveboy, Loughpark, Fore, Martinstown, Glenidan, Cummerstown, Collinstown, Ranahan and surrounding areas, as shaded on the attached map.
The Boil Water Notice has been put in place as a precaution following a mechanical issue at the water treatment plant that resulted in the disinfection process being compromised.
Irish Water’s drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Westmeath County Council to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Please boil water before use
In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.
Irish Water acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by the imposition of a Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. We wish to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while we work to resolve this issue. Irish Water’s priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus.
Irish Water is contacting registered vulnerable customers who are affected by this Boil Water Notice to advise them.
More information
Additional information and advice is available on our Boil Water Notices page or by calling Irish Water’s 24-hour customer care line at 1850 278 278. Updates are available at Water Supply Updates.
Using water in a boil water notice
Your privacy settings
In order to allow the use of multimedia content on this website you must accept the use of miscellaneous cookies.
Boil Water Notice FAQs
- Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads).
- Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling
- When boiling water
- Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool
- Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place
- Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink
- Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
- Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
- Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand
- Prepare infant feeds with tap water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times.
- Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula but if it is used it should be boiled once and cooled. 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.
- Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
- Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.
A Boil Water Notice is imposed to protect human health. If you have concerns regarding your animals drinking water that is subject to a Boil Water Notice then you should consult your Vet. Outdoor animals, such as cattle and horses, are exposed to bacteria on a daily basis vastly in excess of that experienced by humans.
Related News Stories
- Advice for winterproofing your business premises if unoccupied during Covid-19 restrictions
- Clean Coasts and Irish Water want you to Break Up With Plastic and Think Before You Flush
- Essential water main replacement works progressing in Knockdrin, Co. Westmeath to improve the water supply and reduce high levels of leakage