A Do Not Consume notice remains in place for thousands of homes in the Spiddal area, but Irish Water says that progress has been made.
The utility provider said that remedial works carried out to date have shown an improvement in the water quality of the area, and that they will continue.
Last week Irish Water told approximately 5,676 premises on the Spiddal Public Water Supply not to drink water from the mains.
This was due to elevated manganese levels in the water posing a risk to public health.
Tankered water has since been made available for the public at:
- Furbo Beach at Pàdraicíns Seafood Bar & Restaurant;
- Spiddal Car Park, beside bottle bank;
- Inverin Church;
- Colàiste Chamuis (Across from An Pota and Tg4);
- Community Centre Rossaveal.
These water supplies will be replenished daily until the notice is lifted. People are advised to bring their own containers when getting water.
Anthony Skeffington, Regional Operations Manager with Irish Water said that the company is, “aware of the impact a Do Not Consume Notice has on the community in Spiddal and would like to reassure impacted customers that we are working hard to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible.”
“The remedial works carried out have shown improvement in the water quality and we are continuing to flush the network and monitor samples to ensure that manganese levels have returned to acceptable levels.”
Tap water should not be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, or preparing uncooked food. It can, however, still be used for showering and bathing.
Irish Water has emphasised that it is especially important that water from the mains not be given to any bottle fed infants.
A similar Do Not Consume Notice was issued for Inis Oírr on the same day, but has since been lifted by Irish Water.
However, people living on Inishbofin have been unable to drink the public water supply since the start of September, though Irish Water has admitted it may have been contaminated earlier than that.
