Irish Water and Galway County Council have reminded people in Inishbofin that the Do Not Consume Notice there remains in place.
The notice was put in place to protect the health of around 156 customers on the island after high levels of manganese were detected in the water.
This was likely due to extremely low water levels in Lough Fawna after a prolonged period of dry weather.
Irish Water says it is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle-fed infants.
They also reminded people that this is not a Boil Water Notice, and that boiling water will not reduce levels of manganese.
Tankered water is being made available on the island, near the pier, to provide an alternative water supply to customers.
Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.
Irish Water drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Galway County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible.
Irish Water apologised again for the inconvenience this has caused.
The water 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
