Irish Water apologises as Swanlinbar water restrictions remain in place
The Swanlinbar community is facing into its second week of water restriction after increased chlorine levels were discovered in the public water supply.
The HSE advised a 'Do Not Drink and Do Not Wash' restriction on the community, after sampling detected the elevated chlorine levels. Six days after it was first issued, the restriction remains in place.
Irish Water apologised for the ongoing problems, adding that they expect to resolve the issue in the coming days.
Irish Water said that they are continuing to work with Cavan County Council to implement operational measures which will enable the restriction to be lifted "as soon as possible".
Peter Gallagher, Irish Water said: “Irish Water and Cavan County Council are aware of the inconvenience this notice is causing for customers on this scheme. We would like to apologise to these customers and thank them for their patience and assure them that both organisations are working hard to have this notice lifted as quickly as possible.
"We will continue to liaise with the HSE until the situation is rectified and we will update the public as soon as this happens.”
An alternative water supply continues to be available for customers at the car park to the rear of O’Reilly’s filling station in Swanlinbar and customers are advised to boil the water from these tankers before consumption as a precautionary measure.
The HSE advises that water from the Swanlinbar Public Water Supply is unsafe to:
- Consume for drinking;
- Use in connection with food preparation; and
- Use for personal hygiene, including brushing teeth and bathing.
All prepared drinks, foods, ice cubes and baby foods which contain water from the network should be discarded. In the interest of public health, it is advised that all users, both domestic and commercial, on the affected scheme should not use tap water until further notice except for flushing of toilets and flushing of internal house plumbing systems.
Vulnerable customers on this supply who have self-registered with Irish Water have been contacted directly.
If it already hasn’t been done, customers are advised to draw down water from attic/storage tanks; to flush toilets or run bathroom taps intermittently; and as tanks refill chlorine levels in storage tank will return to normal.
Leaflets advising customers of the Do Not Drink and Do Not Wash notice were distributed in the impacted area by Cavan County Council staff.
Irish Water has a 24-hour customer care helpline on 1850 278 278 or log onto www.water.ie