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Boil Water Notice lifted for Fedamore customers

17 December 2021

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Limerick City and County Council wishes to notify customers on the Fedamore 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. 

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

The cause of the Boil Water Notice was the presence of turbidity, or cloudiness, in the water that meant the quality of the water being delivered could not be validated. Uisce Éireann, with its partners in Limerick City and County Council, have been working continuously throughout this period to resolve this issue. Measures undertaken include the development of a new groundwater source and the installation of filtration and ultraviolet disinfection processes. The upgraded treatment plant has now completed an extended commissioning period to ensure it is robust and effective.

Duane O Brien from Uisce Éireann said: “Uisce Éireann has completed extensive works that enabled the lifting of the Boil Water Notice. Works have also been undertaken to connect the Fedamore Water Supply Scheme to an adjoining group scheme which will provide future resilience during drought or interruptions. 

Works will continue in the New Year to install the run to waste pipeline that will allow for improved operational control in the future.  

Uisce Éireann acknowledges the inconvenience that this long-standing Boil Water Notice has caused the community in Fedamore, and we want to thank everyone for their patience throughout. We are delighted that we have been able to finish the extensive works and lift the notice in time for Christmas.

Uisce Éireann and the Local Authority and the 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 Limerick City and 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

A Boil Water Notice remains in place for the Fedamore Public Water Supply due to ongoing issues with the quality of the water source. Uisce Éireann is carrying out ongoing works to resolve this as soon as possible.

Uisce Éireann and Limerick City and County Council fully acknowledge the impact and inconvenience caused by this restriction for homes and businesses in the area.

Speaking about the Boil Water Notice, Water Lead for Co. Limerick Duane O’Brien said: “We wish to thank the community for their ongoing patience and assure them that we are working towards resolving the issue as soon as it is safe to do so. We understand and acknowledge the difficulty that living with a boil water notice causes for homes and businesses. However, this is a necessary measure to protect public health."

The Boil Water Notice was issued as a result of an increase in turbidity, or cloudiness, in the raw water coming from the underground source that supplies the area. This means that adequate disinfection of the water cannot be guaranteed, and so the water should be boiled before use.

Uisce Éireann are continuing to progress with works to allow this Boil Water Notice to be lifted. In recent months, a new water filtration treatment system has been installed and is presently at commissioning stage. Works are also being undertaken to connect the Fedamore Water Supply Scheme to an adjoining group scheme which will provide future resilience during drought or interruptions. The final element of works, which will allow Uisce Éireann to seek the removal of the Boil Water Notice, requires the construction of several hundred metres of pipeline from the treatment plant. These corrective measures are being prioritised and are all scheduled to be completed in approximately six months.” Duane added.

Updates will be 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. Further information is available on the Boil Water Notice section of our website.

Uisce Éireann continues to work at this time with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services.

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.

Boil Water Notice advice:

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. 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.
  • Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.