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Boil Water Notice lifted on Clifden Public Water Supply

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

A Boil Water Notice on the Clifden Public Water Supply 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 public water supply.

The notice was issued as a precautionary measure for approximately 1,578 customers to allow for a period of water quality testing following a recent network outage.

Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann worked to lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible. Following satisfactory water samples, the Boil Water Notice has been lifted. 

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 our website.

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

Uisce Éireann wishes to advise customers that following a network outage in relation to a burst water main and in consultation with the HSE, a Boil Water Notice is being issued as a precautionary measure for approximately 1,578 customers on the Clifden Public Water Supply to allow for a period of water quality testing to commence.

It is expected that as water is being restored to parts of the network from tomorrow morning there may still be residues of older water in the pipework which may not be compliant with the drinking water regulations.

Areas impacted include Clifden and surrounding areas. Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of www.water.ie and entering the property's Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.

A map of the area is attached.

We are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the HSE. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Uisce Éireann's Regional Operations Manager, Iarla Moran regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers, adding, "Public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses in Clifden with the recent water outages and would like to assure customers that we are working to lift this precautionary notice as quickly and as safely as possible." 

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.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.

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;
  • Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. 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.

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

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

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