Consumer relief as water gets all-clear

HOUSEHOLDERS who had to boil water for drinking for the past 40 days have now been advised the local supply is now safe to drink.

Hundreds of families in Co Carlow have been boiling their water before drinking or washing for the past 40 days after the cryptosporidium bug was detected in the supply. It causes vomiting, cramps and diarrhoea.

Yesterday, Carlow County Council lifted the ‘boil water notice’ in sections of the county, much to the relief of consumers.

The council’s John Mulholland said following further analysis, it was safe to drink the water supply across the county.

“Householders in Killeshin, Springhill, Tinryland and other areas will be notified, as will all the schools, hospitals and doctors in the area,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the water and will be keeping our freephone number open for a further week to deal with any concerns that people have.

“Everyone is free to drink the water, but the Health Services Executive (HSE) has asked that those who are immuno-compromised should discuss their needs with their family doctor first.”

He said that one treatment stream was taken out of commission when the bug was first detected and that 24-hour monitoring of the supply had been put in place.