Boil water notice lifted in Westport

Boil water notice lifted in Westport

All households affected by the notice are now free to use tap water for daily needs

Michael Duffy

Irish Water, in conjunction with Mayo County Council, has announced this afternoon the lifting of the boil water notice on the Westport (Knappagh) public water scheme. Customers affected by the notice can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
On the advice of the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Mayo County Council issued a boil water notice for Westport on May 6 due to a number of cases of Cryptosporidiosis reported to the HSE.
Irish Water statement today said: “Irish Water then set about carrying out modifications and improvements at the treatment plant and on the water supply network adjacent to the plant. As a short-term solution Irish Water also quickly identified an alternative water supply which was taken from the Lough Mask Water Supply Scheme to supply customers in Westport Town in the area north of the railway line and north of the town Greenway route. This alternative supply allowed many businesses and some householders in specific areas of the town to use water without the need to boil it.
“Following water quality testing, once the improvement and modification works on the plant and network were fast-tracked, and on the advice of the HSE, the boil water notice has now been removed with immediate effect.
“Irish Water has worked in partnership with Mayo County Council, the HSE and the EPA to manage and bring to a conclusion this issue at the earliest possible opportunity.
“Irish Water and Mayo County Council acknowledge the patience, cooperation and assistance of all customers affected during the period of the boil water notice and greatly regrets the inconvenience and disruption caused to householders and the business community.”
The Irish Water Customer Contact Centre (1890 278 278) is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and 9am to 5.30pm on Saturdays to answer customer queries in relation to this notice. Further information is available on the www.water.ie.