Boil Water Notice Issued for West Cork - Affecting Approximately 8,125 Customers

Uisce Éireann, following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), has issued a precautionary Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 8,125 customers on the Ballyhilty Public Water Supply in Skibbereen.

The notice is being issued due to an operational issue impacting the water treatment process at Ballyhilty Water Treatment Plant. Customers impacted include those in Skibbereen town, Old Court, Baltimore, Church Cross, Kilcoe, Ballydehob, Schull, Lower Town, Drimoleague, Castledonovan and surrounding areas.

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting water.ie and entering their property's Eircode, or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.

Niall O'Riordan, Operations Manager, Uisce Éireann:

"Public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority, and we would like to assure customers that the precautionary notice has been put in place to protect public health. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible."

Uisce Éireann's drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins. Where risks to water quality are identified through Uisce Éireann's enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is consulted, and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health. In all instances, immediate action is taken to address the cause of the issue to enable the lifting of the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, in agreement with the HSE.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.

What Customers Should Do

Water must be boiled for drinking, for drinks made with water, for the preparation of salads and similar foods which are not cooked prior to eating, for brushing of teeth, and for making of ice. Any ice cubes in fridges and freezers, and filtered water in fridges, should be discarded; new ice should be made from cooled boiled water.

Customers should use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked, such as when washing salads. Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets, but not for brushing teeth or gargling. Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water.

To boil water, bring it to a vigorous, rolling boil (for example, using an automatic kettle) and allow it to cool. Boiled water should be covered and stored in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink, and domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink.

Infant Formula

Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, infant formula can be prepared from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for one minute) and cooled beforehand. 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 one minute) and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.

Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.

Updates are available on the Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on X @IWCare and via the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.