Water Update - Residents of and visitors to Achill Island reminded that Do Not Consume notice continues on water supply
Date: 27-08-2020
Issued 27 August 2020 - Irish Water and Mayo County Council would like to remind customers on Achill Island and the adjacent mainland which is supplied by the public water supply, that the Do Not Consume notice remains in place on 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. Customers are reminded to continue to wash their hands in line with HSE advice while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Irish Water and Mayo County Council continue to appeal to residents, businesses and visitors to Achill Island to conserve water and we are grateful to those customers who have listened to and acted on our water conservation pleas which is helping us to provide a continuous supply for everyone for essential handwashing and hygiene purposes.
Ger Greally, Irish Water, said: “As part of the works required to lift the notice Irish Water and Mayo County Council are commencing a programme of reservoir cleaning which may result in some outages or low pressure for customers, particularly in higher lying areas.
“Emergency works at the plant are also continuing.
“Tankers providing alternative drinking water supplies remain in place at 28 locations across the island.
“The incident management team comprising experts from Irish Water and Mayo County Council continues to meet regularly to analyse all available data and plan for the lifting of the notice when the conditions are appropriate.
“Irish Water would like to thank Mayo County Council’s caretakers and other operational staff who continue to work tirelessly since this incident commenced to ensure a continuous supply of water is available to everyone on the island. We would also like to thank the local Civil Defence for supporting in the delivery of bottled water to vulnerable customers.”
Any vulnerable customers who have concerns can contact our customer care team on 1850 278 278.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have confirmed that the water is safe for animal consumption.
The following are the Group Water Schemes served by the Achill Public Water Supply Scheme:
Dooniver GWS
Saulia No 2 GWS
Crumpaun GWS
Dooega GWS
Shraheens, Achill GWS
Dugort No 1 GWS
Dugort No. 2 GWS
Dugort East GWS
Valley 1 GWS
Valley 3 GWS
An alternative water supply is in place to support residents and visitors to Achill at the following locations:
1. Tonragee National School
2. Belfarsad Church
3. Corraun Church
4. Alices, Achill Sound
5. Achill Sound Hotel
6. St Fionnians/House of Prayer, Achill Sound
7. Pattens Bar, Dereens
8. Ashleam, Main Road
9. Ashleam National School
10. Lavelles Bar, Dooega
11. Saila National School
12. Ted Lavelles, Cashel
13. Bunnacurry National School
14. Dooinver National School
15. Valley National School
16. Mastersons Bar, Doogort
17. Doogort Campsite
18. Slievemore Holiday Village
19. Desserted Village Rd, Slievemore
20. Dookinella National School
21. Barrett's Shop/Keel Campsite
22. Keel Hall
23. Aquarium, Keel
24. St Coleman's Day Centre, Keel
25. Cuanaoibhinn Housing, Keel
26. Achill Head Hotel Carpark
27. Dooagh National School
28. Gielty's Bar, Dooagh
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.
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.