Boil Water Notice issued for Corlough GWS

Residents must continue boiling water as instructed until the notice is officially lifted.

A Boil Water Notice has been issued for the Corlough Group Water Scheme (GWS) following the detection of coliform and E. coli bacteria in water samples taken last week.

Cavan County Council issued the notice following advice from the Health Service Executive (HSE), as a precaution to protect public health. Consumers are advised to follow the restrictions until further notice.

The testing was carried out on October 14.

All water intended for drinking or food preparation must be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil for at least 10 minutes. It should then be allowed to cool, covered, and stored in a refrigerator or cool place.

Boiled and cooled water must be used for drinking, preparing drinks, washing salads and other foods eaten uncooked, brushing teeth and making ice. Tap water must also be boiled before preparing infant feeds. Bottled water used for infant feeds should be boiled once and cooled, with sodium levels checked to ensure they do not exceed 200mg/l.

Unboiled water may be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing toilets, but must not be used for brushing teeth or gargling. Children should be supervised to prevent them swallowing bathwater.

Domestic water filters do not make the water safe to drink. Water from hot taps is also unsafe for consumption, and all existing ice cubes and filtered water in fridges or freezers should be discarded.

People with weakened immune systems, young children and older people are particularly vulnerable. Care should also be taken when handling boiled water to prevent burns and scalds.

Cavan County Council will liaise with the HSE to determine when the notice can be lifted. Updates will be provided by letter and email.

For queries, contact Corlough GWS at info@cgws.ie.

Residents must continue boiling water as instructed until the notice is officially lifted.