Manganese problem continues for Cootehill water supply

A Do Not Consume Notice remains in place for people supplied by Cootehill Public Water Supply Scheme.

Following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Water and Cavan County Council issued a Do Not Consume Notice for all consumers on the Cootehill Public Water Supply Scheme due to elevated levels of manganese. The Do Not Consume Notice remains in place pending the completion of remedial works and receipt of satisfactory monitoring results. The notice applies to approximately 2,190 customers supplied by the Cootehill Public Water Supply Scheme.

The authorities warn that it is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants.

They also stress that this is not a Boil Water Notice. Boiling the water will not reduce manganese levels and is therefore not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume.

Tankered water is in place at Darley National School and the White Horse Hotel to provide an alternative water supply to customers. Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure.

“Irish Water is aware of the impact a Do Not Consume Notice is having on the community of Cootehill and would like to reassure impacted customers that we are working hard to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible," said Peter Gallagher, Regional Operations Lead with Irish Water. "We would ask customers who have concerns to contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278. Our priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus.”