The HSE, in conjunction with Irish Water and Clare County Council, have advised that the Kildysart public water supply is not suitable for drinking until further notice.
Approximately 1,500 customers of the Kildysart public water supply and the Coolmeen group water supply are affected by the water notice.
The precautionary measure has been introduced due to water discolouration caused by increased manganese levels in the public water supply.
Water will be provided via tankers at Kildysart Secondary School and outside the Hilltop Bar in Coolmeen from 10am to 12 noon on this Wednesday. Water tankers will also be located at the school from 10am to 11am and 6pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday, and at the Hilltop Bar in Coolmeen from 12 noon to 1pm and 8pm to 9pm on Thursday and Friday. People are advised to boil water obtained from tankers before consumption.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council said, “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.Ice cubes in fridges and freezers should be discarded.”
The spokesperson said the exceptions were for the flushing of toilets, flushing of internal house plumbing systems, dishwashing and personal hygiene.
“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 should 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.