Update: Boil water notice for Glenary water supply is lifted

The notice was issued to protect health due to an issue at the water treatment plant

Around 11,000 customers are affected by the notice.

Updated: The Boil Water Notice on the Glenary Public Water Supply has been lifted with immediate effect.

Uisce Éireann confirmed that, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, customers on this supply can resume normal use of their water supply.

This follows remedial works with consistent satisfactory sampling results.

The Boil Water Notice was issued last week to protect the health of approximately 11,000 customers following an issue which impacted the disinfection process at the plant.

The water notice impacted The Kilcomma/Finger Post areas in county Waterford, along with parts of Clonmel Town centre and surrounding areas including Cashel Road, Cahir Road and Ring Road.

Uisce Éireann’s Pierce Faherty acknowledged the impact of the notice on the community.

“Uisce Éireann regrets the inconvenience that the Boil Water Notice had on customers in Clonmel supplied by the Glenary Water Treatment Plant.

“I would like to thank them for their patience and support while our drinking water experts worked to lift it as quickly as it was safe to do so.”

Previously: Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann has issued a Boil Water Notice for customers supplied by Glenary Public Water Supply.

While the supply is based in Clonmel, in Tipperary, the areas of Kilcomma and Finger Post in Co. Waterford are also affected.

The notice was issued to protect the health of approximately 11,000 customers due to an issue at the water treatment plant which impacted the ability of the plant to adequately disinfect the supply. 

The quality of the treated water leaving the plant was impacted.

In a notice Waterford City and County Council said all customers on the supply were advised to boil water before use until further notice. 

Customers can check if their property is on a boil water notice by visiting the Water Quality section of www.water.ie and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.

A map of the area affected is also available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie.

"Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann are working to rectify the issue at the treatment plant and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE)," noted Waterford Council on its website.

Uisce Éireann’s Pierce Faherty regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers.

“Public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health," he said.

"We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible," he added.

Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health and in all instances immediate action is taken to address the cause of the issue to enable the lifting of the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, in agreement with the HSE.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication on Boil Water Notices. Customers are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled.

Water must be boiled for: Drinking; Drinks made with water; preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating; brushing of teeth; making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges and make ice from cooled boiled water.

What actions should be taken?

Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads); water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling; boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink; Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water.

Preparing infant formula

Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, infant formula can be prepared from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for one minute) and cooled beforehand. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. 

It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. 

‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. 

If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.

Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.

Updates are available on our Water Supply Updates section on www.water.ie, on X @IWCare and via the customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278.