'Boil water" alert as mop up under way

Athboy and its surrounding areas and the village of Moynalty remain on 'boil notice" alert from Meath County Council following the flooding of the Yellow Ford and Borora rivers into the water schemes in the localities over the weekend. In a weekend of torrential rain, Meath experienced flooding alerts across most regions, including in the two areas where Meath County Council issued 'boil water notices" as a result of a run-off from the rivers flowing over the well heads of the water schemes. Residents and consumers in these areas should know today (Wednesday) if the boil notices can be lifted. The Athboy notice also covers Kildalkey and Rath Cairn, and while the Moynalty scheme was expected to resume yesterday (Tuesday), the boil notice was still in place. Final results of water tests are expected today (Wednesday). The Athboy river burst its banks on Sunday morning, and by noon on Sunday, Meath County Council had shut off the water scheme as a precaution, in case possible contaminated water would be distributed. County council cathaoirleach, Cllr Liz McCormack, Athboy, praised the work of all the local people who 'rolled up their sleeves' and helped alleviate flooding problems. By Monday morning, the well head and mains system had been scoured, and on Tuesday, chlorine levels seemed to be normal but final results are due today (Wednesday). Householders and road users experienced major difficulties over the weekend as flooding affected homes and major routes in the county. Over 100 Meath County Council staff were called out to deal with flood-related incidents. Members of every unit of the fire service, as well as road crews, town council staff and sanitary and water services staff were out in force on Saturday and Sunday coping with flooding over the weekend. The council"s director of communications, Bill Sweeney, said the local authority"s emergency line received calls relating to over 50 incidents on Saturday afternoon alone, related to flood and water problems. A water main burst in Duleek on Saturday afternoon and the flooding made it very difficult to detect and homes in Duleek were without water for 24 hours. Mr Sweeney said usually such a major burst would be easily identifiable and repaired in a few hours but the floods meant it was impossible to find. 'I want to acknowledge the work of our fire service and road and water services personnel. Some 100 staff were engaged to working to alleviate flooding problems during the atrocious weather experienced on Saturday and worked long hours in dangerous conditions. I also want to acknowledge the cooperation of members of the public,' said Mr Sweeney. The Skryne to Lismullen Road via Walterstown was impassable due to flooding and remains closed as repair works are carried out. The road from Rathfeigh Cross to Ross Cross was also impassable and this road is currently open, though remedial works have still to be carried out. There was also flooding south of Blundellstown on the N3. In Navan town, Circular Road, Bridge Street, Canon Row, Townsparks Estate and Kilcarn Court all suffered flooding and the Kentstown/Navan Road was flooded at the Lion"s Mouth. Around Trim, the Dublin road at Scurlogstown was closed and impassable for a period, and in Kilmessan, the Ringlestown and Cardiffstown areas were badly affected. A house at Castletown, Tara was flooded and there were also flood waters in a house at Durhamstown, Bohermeen and the council assisted in both these cases. Numerous other homes experienced flooding with a number of people having to move from their homes.