Boil water notice lifted for thousands of people across West Limerick

SPECIAL measures which meant more than 7,000 people in West Limerick had to boil their water have now been lifted.

Local TD Niall Collins has this Thursday afternoon confirmed that the boil water notice in place for householders in Askeaton, Foynes, Ballyhahill, Loghill, Ballysteen, Pallaskenry, Kildimo, Shanagolden and surrounding areas is now at an end.

It means that they can drink cold water from their taps once again.

It was originally put in place back in May 2023 following the detection of cryptosporidium in the supply.

Mr Collins, a Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education has warmly welcomed the end of measures.

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Following remedial works & receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the boil water notice is . pic.twitter.com/1doQPDepac

— Niall Collins (@NiallCollinsTD) August 22, 2024

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He said: "It has been a huge disruption to the lives of thousands of people along the estuary. We have put significant resources into the treatment plant. It will come as a huge relief to so many people that we are now returning to normality."

"These measures went on far too long. I have had many confrontations with Irish Water about this. I'm glad we are at the point where we are returning to normality," added the Limerick TD.

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Uisce Eireann confirmed that the boil water notice on the Foynes Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply has been lifted with immediate effect. 

A spokesperson for the utility said the notice was issued in May 2023 to protect the health of approximately 7,000 customers following the detection of cryptosporidium at the plant.

"Uisce Éireann has implemented remedial measures to existing processes and has also undertaken upgrades at the plant.

"Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann worked to lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible. Following satisfactory water samples and consultation with the Health Service Executive, the boil water notice has now been lifted. 

"All customers impacted by the boil water notice can now resume normal use of the public water supply," said the spokesperson.

Uisce Eireann "acknowledges the impact of the notice on customers and thanks the community for their support while the notice was in place". 

"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 boil water notice.

The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre, open 24/7 on freephone 1800 278 278, is available to answer queries in relation to the lifting of this notice. Further information is available on www.water.ie ," said the spokesperson. 

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.