Boil Water Notice lifted for customers supplied by Wexford Town Public Water Supply
17 November 2021
Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council wishes to notify customers on the Wexford Town Public Water Supply that following the completion of remedial measures and the receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the boil water notice which has been in place is now lifted with immediate effect. This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive.
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann and Wexford County issued a boil water notice on the Wexford Town Public Water Supply on the 30th October 2021.
All consumers on the Wexford Town Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
Uisce Éireann and the Local Authority/Health Service Executive Water Liaison Group will continue to meet and will review ongoing process control, monitoring and testing of the drinking water supply.
The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre (1800 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to this water notice.
Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council acknowledge the patience, cooperation and assistance of the general public during the period of the boil water notice and greatly regrets any inconvenience caused to householders and the business community.
Previous Updates
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council are issuing a Boil Water Notice with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers supplied by Wexford Town Public Water Supply.
The Boil Water Notice has been put in place as a precaution due to elevated levels of turbidity in the supply which has impacted the treatment process. The notice affects all areas supplied by Wexford Town Public Water Supply including Newtown, Barntown, Taghmon, Ballindinas, Shelmalier, Colestown, Coolcots, Carriglawn, Clonard, Townparks, Park, Mulgannon, Maudlintown, Town Centre and surrounding areas.
View a map of the affected area here.
Despite the best efforts yesterday and overnight, Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council crews were unable to resolve the issues at Wexford Town Water Treatment Plant and continuing to work to rectify the issues with a view to lifting the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil their water before use until further notice.
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice.
Uisce Éireann’s Pat Duggan said: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we appreciate the impact that this notice will have on the residents and businesses in Wexford Town. However, the restriction has been put in place to protect our consumers. Uisce Éireann and Wexford County Council are working tirelessly to resolve the issues affecting the plant and lift the boil water notice as quickly as it is safe to do so.”
In line with HSE COVID-19 advice and the requirement for frequent hand washing, Uisce Éireann advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.
Vulnerable 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;
- Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na' is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.
Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.
Uisce Éireann is working closely with Wexford County Council to lift the notice as soon as it is safe to do so. Updates will be available on our Water Supply Updates section, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. For information on using water during a Boil Water Notice, please visit our Boil Water Notice section.