SERVICES
Public Alert: Drinking Water Restriction
Irish Water and Monaghan County Council
Three Mile House & Togan
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SCHEME
Date of Drinking Water Restriction Notice:
2nd of September 2022
Due to elevated levels of manganese in the Three Mile House & Togan network. The public drinking water quality is considerably compromised and an immediate risk to your health.
As a result and following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Monaghan County Council are issuing a Do Not Consume Notice with immediate effect to protect the health of all consumers on this scheme. This Do Not Consume Notice applies to all customers served by the Three Mile House and Togan PWS and as indicated in the pink areas of the map.
IMPORTANT: Boiling your water will not render it safe to drink.
1: Please use an alternative safe source of drinking water (e.g. Bottled Water) for the following:
• Drinking
• Preparing Drinks made with water
• Cooking of Food.
• Food Preparation including washing and preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating
• Brushing of teeth and/or gargling
• Making of ice. However, ensure you first discard all existing ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges
IMPORTANT: Water from the hot tap of kitchen or bathroom sinks is not safe to drink.
Alternative supply’s will be provided at the following locations Darley National School and White Horse Hotel. Remember to boil this water before use for drinking or for food preparation.
2: You can continue to use your internal water supply for the following:
• Flushing of toilets
• Personal Hygiene (showering/bathing)
• Laundry and washing utensils
3: Caution:
• Domestic water filters will not render your water safe to drink
• Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from an alternative safe source of water (e.g. Bottled Water)
• If you have pets and are concerned about the impact of providing mains water while this restriction is in place, you should ask your local vet for advice
4: Only use an alternative safe source of drinking water (e.g. Bottled Water) for the following situations.
• When preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing and preparing salads)
• Preparing Infant Formula. Where a Do Not Consume Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from bottled water. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
5: Always Take Care:
If you are boiling bottled water to prepare infant formula, care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds. Accidents can easily happen, especially with children.
6: How long before the Do Not Consume Notice can be lifted?
We do not know at present, but Irish Water and Monaghan County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) with a view to lifting the restriction as soon as practicable.
7: How will we keep you informed?
You will be kept informed through the following media: Website: www.water.ie ; www.monaghancoco.ie
Irish Water Customer Contact Centre: 1800 278 278
Local Media –Radio and Press
(IW registered vulnerable customers will be directly contacted)
8: Awareness for commercial premises
Irish water request that this Restriction is placed in a prominent position within your commercial premises.
Remember – Do not use your tap water for drinking or food preparation until further notice.
Do Not Consume Notice Issued by:
Anthony Skeffington, Regional Manager, Irish Water.
Nuala Woods, Director of Services Monaghan County Council.