Update: 02 February 2021 – A Boil Water Notice remains in place for customers on the Whitegate Regional Public Water Supply and is affecting approximately 6,500 people. The updated list of areas impacted by this Boil Water Notice includes Whitegate, Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Cloyne, Saleen and Ballinacura. The village of Shanagarry is not included in the Boil Water Notice. A detailed map, which clarifies the local areas and properties on the Boil Water Notice is available on the Irish Water website, www.water.ie and here.

The Boil Water Notice has been put in place as a precautionary measure following issues with the treatment process at the Water Treatment Plant, which may have compromised the disinfection process that makes the water safe to drink. Irish Water’s drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Cork County Council to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Neil Smyth, Irish Water Operations Lead said, “We wish to apologise to the homes and businesses impacted by this Boil Water Notice. There have been previous water quality issues on this supply and we acknowledge the significant inconvenience and concern this causes. We would like to assure the public that we are working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. Our priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and protecting public health.”

All customers of this supply are advised to continue to boil water before use until further notice.

Irish Water acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by the imposition of a Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. We wish to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while we work to resolve this issue. Irish Water’s priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus. We will continue to update the communities impacted as we work to lift this Boil Water Notice.

Irish Water is contacting registered vulnerable customers who are affected by this Boil Water Notice to advise them.

Should customers have any queries regarding this Boil Water Notice they should contact Irish Water directly on our customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1850 278 278. Updates will be available on the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website and via Twitter @IWCare.

Further information on using water during a Boil Water Notice can be found on our website at www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/boil-water-notice.

Boil Water Notice advice

Water must be boiled for:

• Drinking
• Drinks made with water
• Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating
• Brushing of teeth
• Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.

What actions should be taken:

• Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads)
• Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling. It is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance when collecting water including social distancing and hand hygiene.
• Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
• Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
• Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na’ is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.
• If you have pets and are concerned about the impact of providing mains water while this BWN is in place, you should ask your local vet for advice
• Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.

Notes:
A map of the areas affected by the Boil Water Notice on the Whitegate Regional Water Supply Scheme is attached.

Irish Water has created this useful video about using water during a boil water notice https://youtu.be/7rvA63Cwaic

In consultation with the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Cork County Council can confirm that a Boil Water Notice has been put in place with immediate effect for all customers on the Whitegate Regional Public Water Supply.

The Boil Water Notice affects approximately 6,500 people. Areas impacted by this Boil Water Notice are Whitegate, Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Cloyne, Saleen, Shanagarry and Ballinacura.

The Boil Water Notice has been put in place as a precautionary measure following issues with the treatment process at the Water Treatment Plant which may have compromised the disinfection process which makes the water safe to drink.

Irish Water’s drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Cork County Council to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Irish Water acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by the imposition of a Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses. We wish to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while we work to resolve this issue. Irish Water’s priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus.

Irish Water is contacting registered vulnerable customers who are affected by this Boil Water Notice to advise them.

Should customers have any queries regarding this Boil Water Notice they should contact Irish Water directly on our customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1850 278 278. Updates will be available on the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website and via Twitter @IWCare.

Further information on using water during a Boil Water Notice can be found on our website at www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/boil-water-notice.

Boil Water Notice advice

Water must be boiled for:

• Drinking
• Drinks made with water
• Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating
• Brushing of teeth
• Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water.

What actions should be taken:

• Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads)
• Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling. It is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance when collecting water including social distancing and hand hygiene.
• Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
• Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
• Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre. Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na’ is not greater than 200mg per litre. If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.
• If you have pets and are concerned about the impact of providing mains water while this BWN is in place, you should ask your local vet for advice
• Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.

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