A Boil Water Notice has been issued in County Wexford with immediate effect to protect the health of consumers on the Enniscorthy Public Water Supply scheme.

This follows the detection of cryptosporidium found following testing at the Vinegar Hill Water Treatment Plant. The notice was put in place following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking.

Drinking water experts from Irish Water and Wexford County Council are working to implement solutions to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible in consultation with the HSE. In the meantime, all customers on this supply are advised to boil and cool their water before use until further notice.

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Irish Water's Ronan Walsh said: "Public health is Irish Water's number one priority, and we are working closely with Wexford County Council to restore drinking water quality for all impacted customers in Enniscorthy and to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it is safe to do so, and in consultation with the HSE. 

"We have had very heavy rainfall in the Enniscorthy catchment area over the past few days and our sampling has highlighted a detection of cryptosporidium at Vinegar Hill Water Treatment Plant. We regret the impact that this Boil Water Notice will have on the local community and would like to assure them that we are prioritising works to restore a safe water supply with a view of lifting the notice as soon as it is safe to do so."

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water will receive direct communication on this Boil Water Notice and are reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled and cooled. In line with HSE advice on hand washing, Irish Water advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.