Uisce Éireann has said work is continuing to remove the Boil Water Notice (BWN) affecting customers on the Buncrana (Slavery) Public Water Supply, after mechanical problems at the Buncrana (Slavery) Water Treatment Plant led to the notice being imposed on Friday, 2 January, following consultation with the HSE to safeguard public health.

The utility said protecting public health remains its foremost priority. Monitoring of the supply is under way this week, with results being reviewed and shared with the HSE as liaison continues. Until the notice is lifted, all customers on the scheme should boil water before use.

Customers can confirm whether their property is affected by visiting water.ie and entering their Eircode, or by calling the 24/7 customer care line on 1800 278 278. A map of the affected area is also available in the Supply and Service Updates section of the website.

Uisce Éireann’s Damien O'Sullivan said: "I want to acknowledge the inconvenience that the Boil Water Notice is causing the local community, but public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority and this notice is in place to protect the health of customers on the supply.

"Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann are working, in consultation with the HSE, to lift the notice and we thank those affected for their patience."

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Uisce Éireann said its drinking water standards comply with strict EU Drinking Water regulations and include wide safety margins. When enhanced testing and monitoring identify risks to water quality, the HSE is consulted and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health. Immediate actions are taken to address the cause so the notice can be removed as quickly and safely as possible, with HSE agreement.

Vulnerable customers registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications. Water is safe to consume once it has been boiled.

Water must be boiled for:

• Drinking

• Drinks made with water

• Preparing salads and similar foods not cooked before eating

• Brushing teeth

• Making ice – discard existing ice and any filtered water in fridges; make new ice from cooled boiled water

What you should do:

• Use boiled and cooled water when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads)

• Tap water may be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing toilets, but not for brushing teeth or gargling

• Bring water to a vigorous, rolling boil (for example in an automatic kettle) and allow to cool; cover and store in the fridge or a cool place. Do not drink water from the hot tap. Domestic water filters will not make water safe to drink

• Take care when bathing children to ensure they do not swallow bath water

• Infant formula: During a Boil Water Notice, you may make up infant formula with tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled first. Bottled water can also be used; it is best to avoid products labelled 'Natural Mineral Water' as they can contain higher levels of sodium and other minerals, although this is uncommon. If no other water is available, 'Natural Mineral Water' can be used for as short a time as possible. If using bottled water, boil it once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cool in the usual way. Ready-to-use formula that does not require added water is also suitable.

Take great care with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds, particularly around children.

Updates will be posted in the Water Supply Updates section of water.ie, on X at @IWCare, and via the customer care helpline (1800 278 278), which is open 24/7.