KILDARE: Some residents in Athy area warned not to drink water
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Kildare County Council, has issued a Do Not Consume Notice for all consumers in Bridgefield Manor and Coneyburrow in Athy, due to elevated levels of aluminium and manganese detected in the network. The notice applies to approximately 1,177 customers supplied by the Barrow Water Supply Zone.
It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants.
Please note this is not a Boil Water Notice. Boiling the water will not reduce the aluminium and manganese levels and is therefore not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume. This notice does not apply to other areas and water schemes in Kildare.
Uisce Éireann drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Kildare County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible.
To assist customers, an alternative water supply will be made available, and we will revert with further information regarding the supply location as soon as possible.
Speaking about the imposition of the notice, Kevin Love, Operations Lead with Uisce Éireann said: “Uisce Éireann is aware of the impact a Do Not Consume Notice has on the community and would like to reassure impacted customers that we are working 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.”
This water should not be used for
Drinking
Drinks made with water
Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
Brushing of teeth
Making of ice
Children under 12 months old should not drink this water
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 water for?
The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
Uisce Éireann and Kildare County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.