Water consumption restrictions on the Kildysart Public Water Supply scheme will remain in place until at least Tuesday next.
On Tuesday last, 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 consultation with the HSE it is advised that the water is not suitable for drinking until further notice.”
The spokesperson continue,”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 on Saturday,Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 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 Health Service Executive 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.
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.