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[UPDATE August 9th 2020] Do Not Consume Notice issued for all customers supplied by the Achill Water Supply Scheme

Date: 09-08-2020

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Irish Water, working in partnership with Mayo County Council, issued a Do Not Consume Notice on Friday for all consumers and visitors to Achill supplied by the Achill Public Water Supply Scheme and the following Group Water Schemes - Slievemore 1, Doogort 2, Dooinver, Dooega and Saile. The Do Not Consume Notice remains in place.

Additional water supplies are now in place to support residents and visitors to Achill.

Tankers of water are now in place at the following additional locations from today, Sunday 9 August;

  • Belfarsad Church
  • Achill Sound Hotel
  • Bunnacurry Church
  • Dookinella National School
  • Slivemore Holiday Village
  • Keel Hall
  • Aquarium, Keel
  • Cuanaoibhinn Housing, Keel
  • Dooagh National School

Tankers of water continue to be in place at the following locations;

  • Alice’s Achill Sound
  • House of Prayer, Achill Sound
  • Ted Lavelles, Cashel
  • Barrett's Costcutter, Keek
  • Gieltys, Dooega
  • Valley National School
  • Mastersons Bar, Doogort
  • Doogort Camp Site
  • Corraun Community Centre
  • Tonragee National School
  • Saile National School
  • Pattens Bar, Derreens
  • Lavelles Bar, Dooega
  • Bunnacurry National School
  • Dookinella National School
  • Dooinver National School

Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure. It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants. Water is safe to use for handwashing and personal hygiene and customers should continue to follow public health advice on handwashing at this time. 

It is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance when collecting water including social distancing and hand hygiene.

With the support of Mayo County Council we are providing bottled water to vulnerable customers with more bottled water being delivered tomorrow Monday 10 August.

Any vulnerable customers who have concerns can contact our customer care team on 1850 278 278.

With the water treatment plant continuing to see high levels of demand we are once again asking customers and visitors to Achill to conserve water wherever possible. There are ways to conserve water that will not impact on hygiene or handwashing. Simple water conservation efforts can have a big impact on reducing demand on the supply. 

Taking a shower instead of a bath or using a watering can rather than a hose when gardening can make a big difference in water use. We are also reminding people with responsibility for properties that are currently unoccupied to check for leaks and turn off water where it is not required. There are more conservation tips and guidance for homes, businesses and farms, including information on how much water you can save with simple measures on our website https://www.water.ie/conservation/.

Irish Water is working closely with Mayo County Council to lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so and to safeguard the water supply for the future. Updates will be available on our Water Supply Updates section, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1850 278 278.

Please note important advice below.

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, washing of hands, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
  • Irish Water and Mayo County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.



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