Uisce Éireann continue works to lift boil water notice affecting thousands in Limerick

A Boil Water notice has been issued for customers on the Glengar public water scheme

placeholder image — A Boil Water notice has been issued for customers on the Glengar public water scheme

REPRESENTATIVES from the Adare-Rathkeale municipal district met with Uiscé Eireann for an update on works being conducted to lift a boil water notice affecting thousands in West Limerick.

Approximately 7,000 people who avail of the Foynes Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply are currently under a boil water notice due to the presence of cryptosporidium, a harmful parasite.

Uisce Eireann’s Operations Lead Duane O’Brien outlined the works being carried out to enable the lifting of the Boil Water Notice.

“Our priority at all times is the provision of safe, secure drinking supplies and the protection of public health. We welcome the opportunity to meet with Elected Representatives from Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District to discuss the water quality issues impacting the local community and to show them first-hand the ongoing works to upgrade the water infrastructure at the plant,” he said.

Adare Manor staff show support to fellow hotelier who lost wife to pancreatic cancer

“This includes the installation of a state-of-the-art ultraviolet disinfection unit which will provide an effective and reliable barrier to eliminate the risk of cryptosporidium. This unit will be capable of treating the equivalent of eight olympic-sized swimming pools each day to serve the homes and businesses in the community. Works which have now commenced on site involve civil engineering works, electrical installation and integration into the existing treatment process.

“We wish to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issues at the water treatment plant. During today’s meeting, we were able to highlight the work being progressed on-site to install an ultraviolet treatment unit at the treatment plant. This unit will render any cryptosporidium in the water inactive. This is a large piece of equipment, bespoke to the site and it requires a significant amount of accommodation works in advance of its installation,” he added.

While drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann and Limerick City and County Council are working to rectify the issues at the treatment plant, all customers on this supply are advised to continue to boil their water before use until further notice. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.

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) are 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.