‘Do Not Consume’ water notices remain in place for three schemes
Hundreds of households in the Dowra, Doobally and Dernakesh areas have had their water supply disrupted this week.
‘Do Not Consume’ water notices have been issued to all consumers of water supplied by the Doobally and Dernakesh group water supply schemes and also the Dowra public water supply.
The Dowra notice was issued last Friday, while the Doobally bulletin came the following day, Saturday, both with ‘immediate effect’. The Dernakesh notice issued on August 9 and also still remains in place.
There are 276 domestic connections on the Dernakesh scheme; 84 households on the Doobally system and approximately 56 customers affected in Dowra.
Cavan County Council says the notices were issued following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Uisce Éireann due to elevated levels of aluminium detected on the network. They were issued in the interests of protecting the health of all consumers attached to the local group water schemes.
A spokesperson said: “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 aluminium levels and is therefore not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume.”
A spokesperson added: “Uisce Éireann drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Cavan County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible.”
Advice
Cavan County Council stated that boiling water will not make it safe to drink.
They also say that this water should not be used for:
-Drinking
-Preparing drinks
-Cooking food
-Food preparation including washing and preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating
-Brushing of teeth and/or gargling
-Making ice
Alternative supplies
Alternative supplies are being provided from a tanker beside Doobally Chapel Carpark, Doobally; and Dowra Mart.
In respect of Dernakesh, a tanker is located beside Gallonray House, Maudabawn.
Customers are urged to remember to boil the water from the tanker before using it for drinking or food preparation.
More information
The contact for Dernakesh GWS is Philip McDermott on 087-7870640.
Meanwhile, updates on the public water scheme at Dowra are available on www.water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via the customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.