Culdaff water safe to drink again as boil notice lifted after 10 weeks

The Boil Water Notice on the Culdaff Public Water Supply Scheme has been lifted after ten weeks.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann has told 1,300 customers in Culdaff and the Three Glens Group Water Scheme they can now put away their kettles and resume normal use of the water flowing from their taps.

Problems arose earlier in the year when Uisce Éireann had been drilling new boreholes in an effort to improve the public water supply. That work released dirt into existing wells and led to the boil water notice being put in place.

In total, the problem persisted for 72 days. The notice has now been lifted in good time for the busy summer season, when demand for water in the district is high due to an influx of visitors.

The notice was initiated on 17 February due to high turbidity in the raw water, which impacted the treatment process at Culdaff Water Treatment Plant. Turbidity, which refers to cloudiness caused by particles in the water, can interfere with disinfection and may allow harmful microorganisms to pass through the treatment system.

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Uisce Éireann’s drinking water experts worked to lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible. Damien O’Sullivan, Uisce Éireann’s water network operations manager for Donegal, thanked the local community for its patience while the notice was in place. “We understand the inconvenience of a Boil Water Notice, but public health is our number one priority.

“We appreciate the support of the local community, and we also thank the local media and political representatives who helped us share information during the period of this notice.”

The Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre, open 24/7 on freephone 1800 278 278, is available to answer queries in relation to the lifting of this notice. Or visit www.water.ie