Water restrictions on the Kildysart Public Water Supply scheme will remain in place until at least Friday, it has been announced.
On Tuesday afternoon last (July 29), approximately 1500 customers were advised as a precautionary measure that water on the scheme was not suitable for drinking due to the discolouration of the water caused by increased Manganese levels.
A Clare County Council spokesperson said, “At this stage the water quality has improved because of the ongoing modifications to the water treatment process. The general quality of the water is not yet at a satisfactory level and following further consultation with the HSE it is advised that the water is not suitable for drinking until further notice.
“In the interest of public health, it is recommended that all users on the Kildysart Public Water Supply and the Coolmeen Group Water Supply should not use tap water until further notice except for the flushing of toilets, flushing of internal house plumbing systems, dishwashing, personal hygiene, and laundry as high manganese may lead to staining of clothes but is not a public health risk. Customers are also advised to discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers.”
Water Tankers will be made available each day this week at Kildysart Secondary School from 10am to 11am and 6pm to 7pm, and at the Hilltop Bar in Coolmeen from 12 noon to 1pm and 8pm to 9pm.
“We are unable to determine when normal service will be resumed, but Irish Water and Clare County Council will continue to liaise with the HSE with a view to lifting drinking water restrictions as soon as practicable,” the spokesperson added.
Further information will be disseminated via local media, on www.water.ie and via the Irish Water Customer Contact Centre: 1890 278278.
Customers are requested to advise Irish Water or Clare County Council of elderly or
disabled people who may require special assistance.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.