Boil Water Notice for Villierstown lifted with immediate effect
06 April 2023
Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section.
Uisce Éireann and Waterford City and County Council wish to notify customers supplied by Villierstown Public Water Supply that following remedial works and satisfactory sampling results, the Boil Water Notice is now lifted with immediate effect. This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive (HSE).
All consumers on the Villierstown Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
The Boil Water Notice was issued on 6 March to protect the health of approximately 310 customers, following increased turbidity which had impacted the treatment processes at the plant.
Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann and Waterford City and County Council worked hard to lift the notice for impacted customers as quickly and as safely as possible.
The supply is served by a well (borehole) which can be very complex to troubleshoot due various factors such as geology, weather conditions and other local factors impacting it. Following satisfactory water samples confirming that the drinking water was once again compliant with EU drinking water regulations, the Boil Water Notice was removed.
Irish Water’s Ronan Walsh acknowledged the impact of the notice on the community, adding: “Uisce Éireann regrets the inconvenience that the Boil Water Notice had on the community of Villierstown. I would like to thank them for their patience and support while our drinking water experts worked tirelessly with our colleagues in Waterford City and County Council to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it was safe to do so. I would also like to thank the local councillors and the media for their assistance in sharing the information during the period of this boil water notice."
Ronan added: “I am delighted that the works were successful and that we were able to lift the notice for customers ahead of the Easter Weekend. On behalf of Uisce Éireann, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers a safe and happy Easter.”
The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre, open 24/7 on freephone 1800 278 278, is available to answer queries in relation to the lifting of this notice. Further information is available on the Uisce Éireann website.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.
Previous Updates
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann and Waterford City and County Council have issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 310 consumers supplied by the Villierstown Public Water Supply scheme.
This is necessary due to increased turbidity impacting the treatment processes at the water treatment plant. Uisce Éireann and Waterford City and County Council are issuing this Boil Water Notice with immediate effect.
The notice impacts customers in Villierstown and surrounding areas. A map of the area is attached and available to view on the Supply and Service Updates section of our website. Customers can also check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of our website and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.
Uisce Éireann’s primary focus is and always will be the protection of public health. Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann and Waterford City and County Council are working to implement solutions to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible in consultation with the HSE. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil and cool their water before use until further notice.
Uisce Éireann’s Ronan Walsh acknowledged the impact of this notice on the community and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers, adding: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority, and we are working closely with Waterford City and County Council to restore drinking water quality for all impacted customers and to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, and in consultation with the HSE.
“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 Health Service Executive (HSE) are 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,” he added.
Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled.
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.