Boil Water Notice lifted for Kilcash & Tullohea Public Water Supply Schemes with immediate effect

Uisce Éireann and Tipperary County Council wish to remind customers supplied by the Tullohea and Kilcash Public Water Supply Schemes, that the Boil Water Notice issued on 11 August 2022 remains in place.

The BWN has been issued due to elevated turbidity that has affected treatment at Tullohea Water Treatment Plant (WTP). As a results of recent water shortages, water from Tullohea WTP has also been supplying water to the Kilcash PWS. For this reason, BWNs were issued for both Tullohea and Kilcash. A total population of approximately 680 have been impacted by the notice. Areas include Kilcash, Tullohea, Toor, Grangemockler, Ninemilehouse, and surrounding areas.  

Uisce Éireann's Operations Lead, Colin Cunningham said: "Uisce Éireann, together with our colleagues in Tipperary County Council, are implementing works in an attempt to improve the reliability of the water source."

"Public health remains our number one priority and we appreciate the impact that this notice is having on the community in Horse and Jockey. However, the Boil Water Notice has been put in place to protect our consumers and we thank you for your patience."

In line with HSE COVID-19 advice and the requirement for frequent hand washing, Uisce Éireann advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.

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

Updates will be available on the Supply and Service Updates section of our website, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. Further information in relation to the Boil Water Notice is available on our Boil Water Notice page.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann and Tipperary County Council are issuing a Boil Water Notice (BWN) with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers supplied by the Tullohea and Kilcash Public Water Supply schemes.

Affected areas

A total population of approximately 680 have been impacted by the notice. Areas include

• Kilcash,
• Tullohea,
• Toor,
• Grangemockler,
• Ninemilehouse, and surrounding areas.  

A map of the affected area is attached. 

For customers who wish to check if their property is on the BWN, check out our Supply and Services Update page and enter the property's Eircode. Customers can also call our customer care helpline on 1800 278 278.

BWN cause

The BWN has been issued due to elevated turbidity that has affected treatment at Tullohea Water Treatment Plant (WTP). As a results of recent water shortages, water from Tullohea WTP has also been supplying water to the Kilcash PWS. For this reason, BWNs are being issued for both Tullohea and Kilcash. 

Uisce Éireann and Tipperary County Council continue to work to rectify the issues at Tullohea WTP with a view to lifting the notice as quickly and as safely as possible. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil their water before use until further notice.

Vulnerable customers

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice.

Uisce Éireann's Colin Cunningham said, 

"Public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority and we appreciate the impact that this notice will have on both communities. However, the restriction has been put in place to protect our consumers. Uisce Éireann and Tipperary County Council are working tirelessly to resolve the issues affecting the plant and lift the boil water notice early as it safe to do so."

In line with HSE COVID-19 advice and the requirement for frequent hand washing, Uisce Éireann advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.

Vulnerable 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;

• 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.

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

Updates

Uisce Éireann is working closely with Tipperary County Council to lift the notice as soon as it is safe to do so. Updates will be available on our Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. Further information in relation to the Boil Water Notice is available from https://www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/boil-water-notice/

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.