Boil Water Notice in North Kildare lifted with immediate effect

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann and Kildare County Council have issued a Boil Water Notice (BWN) to protect the health of approximately 3,557 customers in North Kildare.

The notice has been issued due to an operational issue on the water network which is impacting the chlorine levels in parts of North Kildare. All customers in the following areas are advised to boil the drinking water before consuming: Carbury, Johnstown Bridge, Hortland, Ballagh Cross, Tirmoghan, and surrounding areas.

Customers can also check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of www.water.ie 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 water.ie. 

Uisce Éireann’s primary focus continues to be the protection of public health. Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann and Kildare 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, Ibrahim Fathalla acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community, adding: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we are working to restore drinking water quality for impacted customers and lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so.

“Uisce Éireann’s drinking water quality standards are strict and include wide safety margins. Where a potential risk to public health is identified through our enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the HSE is consulted and Boil Water Notices are issued. 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.

“We will provide a further update in the coming days as we progress remedial works. Uisce Éireann regrets the inconvenience caused.”

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on BWNs. 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 water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.