Boil Water Notice remains in place for customers on Oileán Ghabhla

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

Uisce Éireann wishes to remind customers on Oileán Ghabhla that a Boil Water Notice remains in place on the island to protect public health. This notice was issued in April and it remains in place to protect the health of approximately 95 customers while an interim water supply continues to be provided.

Essential works are being progressed to enable the safe restoration of the permanent undersea pipeline connection, which is required before the notice can be lifted. Planning and technical assessments are underway to support these works, which are complex and dependent on suitable conditions.

Damien O’Sullivan of Uisce Éireann said: “Our teams, supported by marine and technical specialists, are advancing the assessments and planning required to safely restore the undersea pipeline to the island. These are complex works, dependent on specialist equipment and suitable conditions, and in the meantime an alternative supply is being maintained to the island. The water remains safe to consume once boiled, and the notice will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so, and agreed with the HSE. We appreciate the on-going support of the island community as we work to lift this notice and restore a permanent supply to our customers.”

Protecting public health is Uisce Éireann’s highest priority. Drinking water remains safe to use once boiled in line with HSE advice.

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of our website and entering their Eircode, or by contacting Uisce Éireann’s 24/7 Customer Care Helpline on 1800 278 278. A map of the affected area is also available to view in the Supply and Services section of our website.

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) 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 of our website, on X @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.