Frustration grows as water warnings remain in place
Cllr Edward Timmins is calling on Irish Water to do something as a ‘Do Not Consume’ notice remains in place for customers supplied by the Kiltegan Water Supply Scheme over three weeks after it was first issued.
‘This is a very serious issue. Residents have been notified of nitrates in the water and that it can’t be boiled for use, so this is clearly a very major problem. People are getting very frustrated. The notice has been in place for three weeks now, which is an awful long time to do without a proper water supply, especially for families with young children. I have contacted Irish water about the seriousness of the problem and asked that they invest in equipment to clear out and filter this nitrate problem so it doesn’t arise again in the future,’ said Cllr Timmins.
The notice was put in place by Irish Water in consultation with Wicklow County Council and the HSE on Tuesday, May 1, after elevated levels of nitrates were found in the water supply.
The notice applies to 269 customers supplied by the scheme. A water tanker has been situated outside Katie Lowes Pub, while bottled water has also been provided.
While tests show the levels of nitrate in the supply are dropping, the do not consume ntoice remains in place.
Meanwhile, a boil water notice remains in place in Aughrim and Annacurra three weeks after it was issued.
The notice was issued to customers of the Aughrim Annacurra Public Water Supply on May 2. A spokesperson for Irish Water said they are working with Wicklow County Council as a matter of priority to resolve the issue.
‘We are continuing to carry out investigations including sampling and testing of the water in the network and are liaising with the Health Service Executive and the EPA with a view to lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as practicable, subject to the recommendation of the HSE.’
The Boil Water Notice was issued following testing of the public water supply which indicated the presence of Enterococci in the supply. In the interest of public health, it is recommended that all users on the Aughrim Annacurra Water Supply Scheme continue to boil their water before use.