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Do Not Consume Notice lifted for Monaghan Town

31 October 2023

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

A Do Not Consume Notice for localised section of the network in Monaghan Town has been lifted with immediate effect. Uisce Éireann can confirm that, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, customers can now resume normal use of the water supply. 

The notice, which was issued on 24 October, was put in place to protect the health of customers due to elevated levels of manganese detected in the public water supply. 

Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann worked to lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible and following satisfactory water samples the Do Not Consume notice has been lifted. The 1,000 customers affected on Derry Road, Armagh Road, Knockaconny and the Tullyhirm Townland can now use their water as normal. 

Uisce Eireann’s Peadar McGuinness acknowledged the impact of the notice on homes and businesses and thanked the community for their support while we worked to lift the notice. 

“Uisce Éireann’s primary focus remains the protection of public health and we worked with our stakeholders to lift the notice as quickly as possible."

“We are grateful to customers, elected representatives and the media for their assistance in sharing information on the Do Not Consume Notice.”

Updates are available on the Water Supply Updates section, on X (formerly Twitter) @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. Business customers can sign up to Uisce Éireann’s text alert service to receive updates on supply interruptions over four hours in duration at www.water.ie/business-updates. To register as a vulnerable customer or as an alternative contact, visit www.water.ie/vulnerablecustomer.  

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment. 

Previous Updates

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Monaghan County Council, has issued a Do Not Consume Notice for a number of areas in Monaghan Town due to elevated levels of manganese detected in the public water supply. 

The notice applies to approximately 1,000 customers in the following areas including: Derry Road, Armagh Road and the Tullyhirm Townland. 

Please note this is not a Boil Water Notice. Boiling the water will not reduce manganese levels and is therefore not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume. It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants.

Tankered water is currently available at the car park in front of Grahams of Monaghan at the Coolshannagh Roundabout. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.

Uisce Éireann drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Monaghan County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible. 

Speaking about the imposition of the notice, Peadar McGuinness, Operations Lead with Uisce Éireann said: “Uisce Éireann is aware of the impact a Do Not Consume Notice has on the community and would like to reassure impacted customers that we are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. We would ask customers who have concerns to contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278.”

This water should not be used for:

  • Drinking
  • Drinks made with water
  • Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
  • Brushing of teeth
  • Making of ice
  • Children under 12 months old should not drink this water
  • In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. 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.
  • Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
  • Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
  • Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges

What can you use water for?

  • The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
  • Uisce Éireann and Monaghan County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.

Updates are available on our Water Supply Updates section, on X (Formerly Twitter) @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.