Limerick County Council, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, has issued a boil water notice to customers served by the Rockhill Water Supply Scheme in County Limerick.

Extensive testing by the local authority’s Environmental Laboratory staff has identified E-Coli in the water being produced at the Rockhill Water Treatment Plant.

The areas affected by the public water notice are Ballyteige Upper, Ballyfookeen, Howardstown North, Cappanafaraha, Ballywillin, Ballyclough Upper, Ballyinoran, Garryfine, Knockaunavoddig, Garrane, Ballynoe, Mounteagle and Lotteragh Upper.

According to Paul Crowe, Director of Services, Transportation & Water Services, Limerick County Council: "The introduction of a boil notice is deemed a necessary precautionary measure to ensure that public health is not put at risk."

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He said: "Due to the recent heavy rainfall in the county, the Rockhill Water Supply has been under continuous surveillance. The surveillance subsequently identified E-Coli in the water supply.

"As Water Services Authority, on receipt of Health Service Executive (HSE) advice we wish to advise customers 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."

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.

It is safe to drink commercial bottled mineral water.

Prepare baby feeds 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 the label: water in bottles labelled "natural mineral water" is not required to meet all the standards of tap waters.

Don’t 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 maybe used for flushing of toilets and for internal house plumbing, as well as for personal hygiene and bathing.

(PR/NS)