Do not consume or wash notices remain on Moynalty water supply

Elevated levels of chlorine released into local plant

Irish Water advises that the 'Do Not Consume' and 'Do Not Wash Notice' for customers supplied by Moynalty Public Water Supply remains in place.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Do Not Consume Notice was issued yesterday, Sunday 20th June, as a precaution to protect the 191 customers on the supply following elevated levels of chlorine. A copy of the advisory notice was hand delivered to all impacted customers on Sunday 20th June.

Irish Water says its primary focus continues to be the protection of public health. "The issue at the water treatment plant that led to the elevated levels of chlorine in the supply has now been resolved. However, the notice will remain in place until we can verify that chlorine levels have returned to normal throughout the network.

"While we continue to monitor the network we would like to remind customers that the water is not safe for consumption, the preparation of foods, washing, washing of utensils or use in washing machines and dishwashers. It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants," Irish Water continues.

Customers are advised to draw down water from the attic storage tank. Customers can do this by flushing toilets or running bathroom taps intermittently and as the tank refills it will be replenished with fresh mains water with normal chlorine levels. Customers in the affected area are being advised to not use tap water until further notice except for flushing toilets and flushing of internal house plumbing.

John O’Donoghue, regional operations manager with Irish Water said: “Irish Water is aware of the impact a Do Not Consume and Do Not Wash Notice is having on the community of Moynalty and would like to reassure impacted customers that Irish Water’s drinking water compliance and operational experts are working hard to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. We would ask customers who have concerns to contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278.”

An alternative water supply is in place to support impacted customers at the junction of Main Street and the R164 (beside the church). Map coordinates are 53.789113, -6.886308. Customers are reminded to follow the HSE guidance on social distancing, face coverings and hand hygiene when collecting water. Customers are advised to boil water before use.

Bottled water is available for delivery to customers who are registered as vulnerable on this supply. Vulnerable customers who haven’t registered with Irish Water or those who have concerns about leaving their homes during the current pandemic should contact our customer care team, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.

Please note this is not a Boil Water Notice. Boiling the water will not reduce chlorine levels and is therefore not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume. This notice does not apply to other areas or water schemes in Co Meath.

Public Health Advice

The HSE advises that the water from the supply is unsafe to:

• Consume for drinking;

• Use in connection with food preparation; and

• Use for personal hygiene, including brushing teeth and bathing.

All prepared drinks, foods, ice cubes and baby food which contains drinking water collected after 8:00am on Sunday 20 June 2021 should be discarded.

In the interest of Public Health, it is advised that all users (i.e. domestic and commercial) on the affected scheme should NOT use tap water until further notice, EXCEPT for:

• Flushing of toilets; and

• Flushing of internal house plumbing systems.

Customers must not drink the water or wash in the water until further notice, however we are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Updates area available on the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website, on Twitter @IWCare and via the customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278