Boil water notice for Lough Talt still in place despite clear tests
THE Lough Talt public water supply must still be boiled before use despite testing clear for cryptosporidium for the past ten weeks.
The Boil Water Notice remains in place for another month because the HSE is investigating reported cases of cryptosporidiosis in the community.
In a statement to The Sligo Champion, Irish Water said that while the source of the transmission was “unclear” at this point, the HSE advised them to continue the Boil Water Notice for another four weeks in the interests of public health.
Zero detections of the bug have been recorded since March 7 th in what was described by Irish Water as “the high risk” cryptosporidium season.
Sampling will continue for the next month and all results will be reviewed by the relevant stakeholders, according to Irish Water.
They said the current level of treatment provided at Lough Talt water treatment plant “does not provide adequate protection against cryptosporidium.”
“Irish Water is advising customers that in the absence of a validated cryptosporidium barrier there is a risk of further cryptosporodium detections in the supply,” the company said.
They said the long term solution “will be the provision of water from an alternative source and this option is being investigated by Irish Water.”
In the interim however, they are preparing a fresh planning application to build an emergency water treatment plant under a process known as ‘Imperative Reasons of Over-riding Public Interest’ (IROPI).
The emergency plant is to be built on the existing site.
It will include a new barrier against cryptosporidium.
They’re expected to lodge this application with Sligo County Council by the end of May.
Regional Asset Operations Manager with Irish Water Seamus Granahan said: “Public health is our number one priority and ultimately our aim is to provide compliant and robust water treatment for the 13,000 people who are supplied by the Lough Talt public water supply.”
Since the beginning of March, over 70 leaks have been detected and repaired on the scheme.
Irish Water 24 hour customer helpline: 1850 278 278