Do Not Consume notice for Mountainlodge Group Water Scheme

Consumers served by the Mountainlodge Group Water Scheme are now in the seventh week of restrictions as traces of Manganese detected in the local supply remains above recommended levels.

The people of Laragh, Tunnyduff, parts of Poles, and Mountainlodge continue to rely on alternative sources of water for drinking, cooking food and food preparation.

The prolonged dry spell at the start of Summer is believed to have directly contributed to the rise in levels of Manganese and Aluminium in the supply to the Mountainlodge Group Water Scheme.

Following receipt of results on Thursday July 9, and following consultation with HSE, a 'Do Not Consume' notice was placed on Mountainlodge GWS on Friday, July 10.

John Denning A/Senior Engineer in Water Services for Cavan County Council said despite some changes, the notice still remains.

“I can confirm that the 'Do Not Use' notice issued on Mountainlodge Group Water Scheme continues to remain in place. Latest results indicate that the water quality continues to show significant improvement, however Manganese levels remain slightly above regulatory levels,” he said in a statement to The Celt.

Monitoring of the water quality is ongoing, and Mountainlodge GWS continues to work closely with its treatment plant operator and technical representatives.

“With the support of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, and in consultation with both Cavan County Council and the HSE [Mountainlodge Group Water Scheme] has been working diligently to restore the water supply to compliant status,” Mr Denning said.

Eddie Martin, secretary of the Group Water scheme, told the Celt of the actions taken since the 'Do Not Consume' notice was first enacted: “High levels of Manganese and Aluminium were detected in the water by the Health Service Executive. The Aluminium levels have come down, but the Manganese levels remain a problem.”

Samples from the scheme show elevated levels of manganese detected leaving the treatment plant and in the network. The local authority made water tankers available at Laragh national school and Tunnyduff national school.

The 'Do Not Consume' restriction is similar to that issued in the Bailieborough Regional Water Supply Scheme at the end of last year.

It was hoped that heavy rainfall would regulate the level of the lakes and bring down the Manganese levels, but this has yet to happen.

Patrons are advised to use an alternative safe source of drinking water (bottled water) for drinking, preparing drinks made with water, cooking food and for food preparation. The 'Do Not Consume' notice covers brushing of teeth and/or gargling and making ice and people are advised that water from the hot tap of kitchen or bathroom sinks is not safe to drink.

Consumers on the scheme seeking further information should contact Mountainlodge GWS on (087)7656355.