Boil Water Notices lifted for all customers supplied by Ardee Public Water Supply
12 September 2023
Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section.
Uisce Éireann and Louth County Council can confirm that the two Boil Water Notices issued on the Ardee Public Water Supply, including customers in Smarmore served by Blakestown Reservoir, have been lifted with immediate effect. This follows consultation with the HSE.
The notices were issued to protect public health following separate operational issues impacting the chlorine levels in the Blakestown Reservoir in August and the treatment processes at the water treatment plant in September. Following remedial works and the receipt of satisfactory sampling results on the network, both boil water notices are now lifted with immediate effect. All customers supplied by the Ardee Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
Michael Cunniffe, Uisce Eireann, acknowledged the impact on the community, adding: "On behalf of Uisce Éireann, I’d like to thank the community of Ardee and Smarmore for their patience, co-operation and assistance while we worked to lift the boil water notices as quickly as it was safe to do so. We regret any inconvenience caused to homes and businesses”.
Uisce Éireann’s drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins. Where risks to water quality are identified through Uisce Éireann’s enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the HSE is consulted, and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health. In all instances immediate action is taken to address the cause of the issue to enable the lifting of the notice as quickly as it safe to do so, in agreement with the HSE.
The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre (1800 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to the lifting of these water quality notices.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment. To find out more visit the Uisce Éireann website.
Previous Updates
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann and Louth County Council have issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 8,064 customers supplied by the Ardee Water Supply Zone. This is due to operational issues which has impacted chlorination at the water treatment plant.
All customers supplied by Ardee Water Supply Zone are impacted.
Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of the Uisce Éireann website and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the area is attached and available to view on the supply and service section of our website.
All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.
Uisce Éireann’s primary focus is and always will be the protection of public health. Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann and Louth County Council are working, in consultation with the HSE, to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil and cool their water before use until further notice.
Uisce Eireann’s, Michael Cunniffe acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community.
“Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We would like to assure customers that we are working to lift the notice as quickly as possible.”
Uisce Éireann’s drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins. Where risks to water quality are identified through Uisce Éireann’s enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the HSE is consulted, and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health. In all instances immediate action is taken to address the cause of the issue to enable the lifting of the notice as quickly as it safe to do so, in agreement with the HSE.
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.
Water must be boiled for:
- Drinking;
- Drinks made with water;
- Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
- Brushing of teeth;
- Making of ice - discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.
What actions should be taken:
- 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;
- 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;
- Preparing Infant Formula: 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. 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.
Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.
Updates are available on our Water Supply Updates section, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.