'Do not consume': Waterford householders warned over high arsenic levels in water supply
Uisce Éireann has issued an urgent 'Do not consume' notice to more than 500 customers due to elevated levels of naturally occurring arsenic in the local water supply
An urgent ‘Do Not Consume' notice has been issued for all customers on the Ballyogarty Water Supply in County Waterford.
Uisce Éireann issued the notice on Friday due to elevated levels of naturally occurring arsenic in the water.
The notice is expected to affect approximately 576 customers, with it applying to areas including Ballyogarty, Graigueshoneen, Cooltubrid East and areas of Kilmacthomas including Union Road, Hillside Crescent, Hillside Close and Cruachán View.
Uisce Éireann has warned that this is not a Boil Water Notice, meaning that boiling the water is not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume.
Commenting on the situation, James Joyce of Uisce Éireann said that all efforts are being made to lift the notice as soon as possible.
“Uisce Éireann understands the impact a Do Not Consume Notice has on the community, and we can assure impacted customers that we are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible,” he commented.
The water is not safe for drinking, food preparation or the brushing of teeth, but it can be used for personal hygiene such as bathing or showering.
Uisce Éireann has said that an alternative water supply will be in place on Friday evening at Kilmacthomas GAA Club, which will be replenished daily.
Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.