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Boil Water Notice on Clare Island Public Water Supply Scheme lifted with immediate effect

31 March 2023

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section.

Uisce Éireann would like to notify customers supplied by the Clare Island Public Water Supply that the Boil Water Notice has been lifted with immediate effect following consultation undertaken with the HSE.

All consumers on the Clare Island Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

The notice was originally issued following the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply. Uisce Éireann operation and compliance experts worked with colleagues in Mayo County Council to carry out the necessary works to enable the notice to be lifted as quickly as possible.

Uisce Éireann Operations Lead, Ger Greally said: “Uisce Éireann wishes to thank the people of Clare Island for their patience, co-operation and assistance during this Boil Water Notice. We are grateful to the media, elected representatives and also members of the public who shared these updates.” 

The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre (1800 278 278) is available to answer customer 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 Mayo County Council have issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 160 consumers supplied by the Clare Island Public Water Supply Scheme. This follows the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply. Uisce Éireann and Mayo County Council are issuing this Boil Water Notice with immediate effect.

A map of the affected area is attached and available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie. 

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 Mayo 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 Ger Greally 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 Mayo 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 will be available on our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie including a map of the affected area, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.