'Do Not Consume' water notice issued in Batterstown

Bromate exceedance detected in the supply

Irish Water has issued a 'Do Not Consume' notice for customers supplied by the Batterstown public water supply today, Thursday 16 September 2021. The notice was issued to protect 96 customers following a Bromate exceedance in the water supply.

The water is not safe for consumption or the preparation of foods, but is safe for hygiene and use in washing machines and dishwashers. It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants. Irish Water would like to remind the public to continue to follow public health advice on handwashing and hygiene.

Michael Cunniffe, Regional Operations Lead with Irish Water, said: "We would like to reassure our customers that Irish Water’s drinking water compliance and operational experts are working in partnership with Meath County Council to lift the Do Not Consume Notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation and agreement with the HSE. The EPA have been notified of the Do Not Consume Notice.

Please note this is not a Boil Water Notice. Boiling the water will not reduce Bromate 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.

Irish Water will provide an alternative water supply to support impacted customers.

Impacted customers will be directly notified and bottled water will be arranged for vulnerable customers who are registered on this supply, in adherence with current HSE advice. Vulnerable customers 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.

Irish Water acknowledges the impact of this notice on the local community in Batterstown and we would like to reassure impacted customers that our drinking water compliance and operational experts are working to resolve this issue as quickly and as safely as possible. We would ask customers who have concerns to contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278. The water is safe to use for handwashing and personal hygiene and all customers on this water supply scheme should continue to follow public health advice on handwashing at this time.”

Public Health Advice:

This water should NOT be used for:

•Drinking

•Drinks made with water

•Food preparation, washing or cooking of food

•Brushing teeth

•Making ice

•In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water.

•This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. 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.

•Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink.

•Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water.

•Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges.

What can you use mains water for:

•The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils.

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.

Irish Water says it continues to work at this time with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services