Update on Boil Water Notice issued on the Mid Galway Public Water Supply

Following advice from the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Galway County Council, issued a Boil Water Notice on the Mid Galway Public Water Supply Scheme on Tuesday, 18 October. The Boil Water Notice remains in place. 

Recent persistent heavy rainfall caused a deterioration in the raw water source on Monday night.  This poor water quality persisted until Wednesday morning causing the drinking water quality produced at the plant on Tuesday to be non-complaint with the drinking water standards.

Irish Water and Galway County Council are continuing with their efforts to lift the boil water notice as soon as possible. A full review of the plant performance is continuing and a programme of monitoring and sampling is being carried out across the network. A further update will be provided early next week. Irish Water and Galway County Council would like to reassure people supplied by the scheme that the resumption of normal service is a priority.                                                                                                                                                                                            

Irish Water appreciates the inconvenience caused as a result of the Boil Water Notice and wishes to apologise to all customers affected. We remind people to follow the advice of the Boil Water Notice.  We will continue to keep local residents and elected representatives updated on these works and on our efforts to lift of the boil water notice. 

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. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na' is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. 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.

This notice applies to consumers on the Mid Galway Public Water Supply Scheme. A map of the scheme will be made available on Irish Water and Galway County Council’s websites.

Further information and additional advice for consumers is available on the service & supply section or by calling 1850 278 278.