Uisce Éireann remind the public that a boil water notice is still in place in Thurles

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Tipperary County Council, wish to remind customers on the Thurles Regional Public Supply that the Boil Water Notice issued on July 14 remains in place. This Boil Water Notice is in place to protect the health of approximately 11,400 customers due to disinfection issues in the network. 

The areas affected include Hollycross, Thurles, Ballycahill, Bouladuff, Dovea, Borrisoleigh and Drom and surrounding areas.

Experts from Uisce Éireann and Tipperary County Council are assessing the situation with a view to having the notice lifted as quickly and safely as possible. In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Uisce Éireann's Colin Cunningham, regrets the inconvenience to customers: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority, and I want to acknowledge the inconvenience that this Boil Water Notice is causing to the local community.

We are working to maintain chlorine residuals in all areas of the network. To assist with chlorine residuals being maintained in the network, Uisce Éireann is currently working to further optimise plant operations.

We will seek to lift the notice in consultation with the HSE as quickly as it is safe to do so”.

Anyone who has concerns can contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278 or log onto the water supply and service section of water.ie for information. 

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 will be available on our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie including a map of the affected area, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. Customers are advised to set their location on water.ie to view updates specific to their water supply. Further information in relation to the boil water notice is available on our Boil Water Notice page.

For customers who wish to check if their property is on the Boil Water Notice please go to our Water Quality section and enter the property’s Eircode and then click the ‘More Details’ tab. You will then see if your property is on the Boil Water Notice.