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Boil water notice impacting 600,000 people lifted with immediate effect

A boil water notice impacting more than 600,000 people has now been lifted. It was issued earlier...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

16.48 25 Oct 2019


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Boil water notice impacting 60...

Boil water notice impacting 600,000 people lifted with immediate effect

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

16.48 25 Oct 2019


Share this article


A boil water notice impacting more than 600,000 people has now been lifted.

It was issued earlier this week after issues at the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant, and impacted homes and businesses in large areas of south Dublin, as well as parts of Kildare and Meath.

However, it has now been lifted with immediate effect following an audit by the Environmental Protection Agency yesterday.

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Irish Water also today received the results of two more water samples, and they were found to be "satisfactory".

Yvonne Harris, Irish Water's head of customer operations, said it acknowledges the impact the notice had on hundreds of thousands of people.

She said: “We endeavoured to keep the public up to date at every stage and we are grateful to the media, elected representatives and members of the public who shared the information on social media and who supported family, friends and neighbours.

“The results of the EPA audit were discussed with Irish Water and Fingal Council Council and the results formed part of the decision making process in lifting the Boil Water Notice.

"The EPA will publish their audit and in consultation with the EPA Irish Water will work to implement the audit’s recommendations.”

Earlier, the EPA said a blockage had resulted in "operational difficulties" with the water treatment processes.

The issues led to "a significant risk" to the safety of the water supply, because the treatment barrier for removal of cryptosporidium and giardia was compromised.

Cryptosporidium and giardia are parasites known to cause gastrointestinal infections with symptoms including diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

The EPA also said there was "a failure to respond to multiple alarms" that activated in response to the issues.

Main image: File photo of a glass of water being poured. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

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