Sailors visiting Mayo’s Clare Island have been reminded that the public water supply is subject to restrictions due to cryptosporidium contamination.
Uisce Éireann says the cryptosporidium issue was detected in June, and a boil water notice issued then “remains in place on the public water supply” for the island in outer Clew Bay.
“Operational and compliance experts from Uisce Éireann and Mayo County Council continue to work to lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible,” it says.
The boil water notice affects about 160 island residents, along with a large number of summer visitors, including sailors.
Uisce Éireann’s Colette Scahill thanked the local community for their cooperation and assured them that a team is working to lift the notice.
“Please be assured that we are working to lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible,” Scahill said.
“ Monitoring of the supply will continue for the month of September, and plans to increase the robustness of the water treatment plant are in progress. The notice will be reviewed again with the HSE at the end of September,” she said.
Water must be boiled for:
- drinking;
- drinks made with water;
- preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating;
- brushing of teeth;
- ice making - discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges, and make ice from cooled boiled water.