Limerick County Council has issued a public drinking water notice affecting hundreds of customers in Newcastle West and its environs.

The boil notice has been issued following the serious flooding experienced by the West Limerick town as a result of recent heavy rainfall.

The council confirmed 93mm of rainfall, equivalent to a month's rain, was recorded near Newcastle West over a five-hour period last week.

The areas affected by the boil notice include Newcastle West, Coolcappagh and Rathcahill, as well as the Ballyine, Dually, Reens Kilscannell, Old Mill Road, Killoughteen and Killeline Group Water Supply Schemes.

Donal Brennan, Director of Services Transportation & Water Services, Limerick County Council, said: "Due to the recent extraordinary flooding, the production of water at the Newcastle West Water Treatment Plant is severely restricted.

"Limerick County Council is currently taking all steps to re-commence full production at the plant. The water in the service reservoirs, which was produced before the flooding, is almost exhausted.

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"As the Water Services Authority for County Limerick, we wish to advise members of the public that water being supplied from now until further notice should not be used for human consumption except under a number of conditions and for certain purposes," he added.

Water for drinking purposes, brushing teeth and food preparation should be boiled. Boil the water to ensure a rolling vigorous boil and then allow it to cool.

Cover it and store it in a fridge or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic filters will not guarantee that water is safe to drink.

Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers. Use boiled water for preparing foods that will not be cooked.

It is safe to drink commercial bottled mineral water.

Baby feeds should be prepared with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been reboiled several times.

If tap water is unavailable, use bottled water that has been brought to the boil and cooled. Avoid using water that is fizzy, unless boiling has removed all the fizziness.

Check labels, water in bottles labelled 'natural mineral water' is not required to meet all the standards of tap waters.

Do not use natural mineral water with concentrations greater than the following for infant feeding: sodium –200mg/l; Nitrate –50mg/l; Nitrite –0.5mg/l; Sulphate –250mg/l.

Water may be used for flushing of toilets and for personal hygiene and bathing. Water may also be used for flushing of internal house plumbing.

The Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, John Gallahue, praised the response of emergency services to the floods.

Mr Gallahue said: "Thankfully no lives were lost during the incident, which is one of the most serious to have taken place in County Limerick for many years.

"The effective and coordinated response of the emergency services to this incident should be noted and complimented."

(PR/JM)