Boil Water Notice lifted on Ferns Public Water Supply with immediate effect

Uisce Éireann would like to remind customers supplied by the Ferns Public Water Supply that the Boil Water Notice issued late last month will remain in place until further notice.

This notice was issued as a precautionary measure to protect the health of approximately 1,723 customers due to the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply.

Uisce Éireann is carrying out ongoing sampling on the water supply and have carried out inspections of water filters on site. Every effort is being made to lift the notice as quickly as possible, however due to the nature of the process, the sampling is required to be carried out over a number of weeks and will continue at least into next week. 

Jim Fitzgerald, Uisce Éireann Assets Operations Manager, said: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect their wellbeing. Our compliance and operations experts are on site and are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. We understand the impact a Boil Water Notice (BWN) has on the local community and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

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.

We have commenced sampling, and we will require several clear tests at appropriate intervals relevant to the water treatment plant process. The sampling and results will be reviewed by process experts in consultation with the HSE in order to lift the notice as soon as possible.   

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.

A map of the affected area is attached and available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie
 
All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.  

With regard to Boil Water Notices, Uisce Éireann is not in a position to provide bottled water to customers for Boil Water Notices where water is safe to drink once boiled. The provision of alternative water supplies by way of tankers isn’t of benefit as water from tankers would still need to be boiled to ensure it’s safe to drink. There is also no mechanism under the current regulatory framework to provide compensation to customers who choose to purchase bottled water themselves during a BWN.

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;
•    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;
•    Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 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 1 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 our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on X @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann have issued a Boil Water Notice to protect the health of approximately 1,723 customers supplied by Ferns Public Water Supply. This follows the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply.

All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.

Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health. We are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly 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 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.

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;
• 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;
• Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 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 1 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 our Water Supply Updates section, on X @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section.

Uisce Éireann would like to remind customers supplied by the Ferns Public Water Supply that the Boil Water Notice issued on 28 June will remain in place until further notice.

This notice was issued as a precautionary measure to protect the health of approximately 1,723 customers due to the detection of cryptosporidium in the water supply.

A map of the affected area is below and available to view on our supply and service updates section.

All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.

Dan McCartan, Uisce Éireann Assets Operations Lead, said: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect their wellbeing. Our compliance and operations experts are on site and are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. We understand the impact a Boil Water Notice (BWN) has on the local community and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

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.

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;
• 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;
• Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 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 1 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 our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on X @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.