Almost 6,000 homes in both Spiddal and Inis Oírr are being told not to drink the public water supply due to elevated manganese levels.
Irish Water issued two Do No Consume Notices today for the Spiddal Public Water Supply, covering approximately 5,676 customers, and the Inis Oírr Public Water Supply, which affects 257 premises.
This water poses an immediate risk to health, and it is especially important that water from the mains not be given to any bottle fed infants.
Irish Water has emphasised that this is not a Boil Water notice, as boiling water will not remove manganese.
Tankered water will be brought to the island, and will be made available from Darley National School and White Horse Hotel.
Alternative water arrangements will also be made for the thousands of premises in the Spiddal area, details of which have yet to be announced.
The public water supply in both areas should not be used for:
- Drinking
- Drinks made with water
- Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
- Brushing of teeth
- Making of ice
- Children under 12 months old should not drink this water
- In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. 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.
- Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
- Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
- Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges
What can you use water for?
- The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
- Irish Water and Galway County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.
