Limerick County Council Lifts Water Boil Notice At Rockhill

The notice was put in place on August 20th, 2008 following the detection of E-Coli in the local water supply. Extensive testing by the local authority's Environmental Laboratory staff has shown that the water being produced at the Rockhill Water Treatment Plant continues to meet the drinking water standards.

According to Paul Crowe, Director of Services Transportation & Water Services, Limerick County Council, 'The introduction of a boil notice was deemed a necessary precautionary measure to ensure that public health was not put at risk. Limerick County Council will continue to monitor the water supply to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The Council would like to thank the public for their support.'

Meanwhile, a boil water notice issued last week to customers in parts of Pallasgreen village remains in place.

The Water Authority, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, issued the notice after extensive testing by its Environmental Laboratory staff identified E-Coli in the Pallasgreen Water Supply.

100 households remain affected by the public water notice in areas including Knockanea, Grange West, Knockeen, Ballyart, Castle-erkin, Woodfarm, Dromkeen, Drombane, Sunville, Garranemore, Dromlara, Lisheen, Ballyvoneen, Brackylea and Linfield.

Mr. Crowe explained, ‘Due to the recent heavy rainfall in the County, the Pallasgreen Water Supply had been under continuous surveillance. Last week, E-Coli was detected in the water supply. As Water Services Authority, on receipt of Health Service Executive (HSE) advice, we wish to remind customers that water being supplied from now until further notice should not be used for human consumption except under a number of conditions and for certain purposes.’

Water for drinking purposes, brushing teeth and food preparation should be boiled.

Boil the water to ensure a rolling vigorous boil and then allow it to cool. Cover it and store it in a fridge or cold place.

Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic filters will not guarantee that water is safe to drink. Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers.

Use water that has been prepared for drinking (i.e. that is boiled) for preparing foods that will not be cooked, e.g. for washing salads.

It is safe to drink commercial bottled mineral water.

Prepare baby feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been reboiled several times. If tap water is unavailable, use bottled water that has been brought to the boil and cooled. Avoid using water that is fizzy, unless boiling has removed all the fizziness. Check the label: water in bottles labelled "natural mineral water" is not required to meet all the standards of tap waters.

Don’t use natural mineral water with concentrations greater than the following for infant feeding: sodium –200mg/l; Nitrate –50mg/l; Nitrite –0.5mg/l; Sulphate –250mg/l.

Water maybe used for flushing of toilets and for internal house plumbing, as well as for personal hygiene and bathing.

Further information and advice is available from the following phone numbers:
(061) 496326 (9.30am – 4.30pm Monday - Friday) or (061) 419226 (after hours)