A Do Not Consume Water Notice Issued For Parts Of Athy

The notice applies to approximately 1,177 customers supplied by the Barrow Water Supply Zone.

A Do Not Consume Notice has been issued for all consumers in Bridgefield Manor and Coneyboro in Athy, due to elevated levels of aluminium and manganese detected in the network.

The notice was issued following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Kildare County Council has issued a

The notice applies to approximately 1,177 customers supplied by the Barrow Water Supply Zone.

It is especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle fed infants.

This is not a Boil Water Notice. Boiling the water will not reduce the aluminium and manganese levels and is therefore not a suitable measure to make the water safe to consume. This notice does not apply to other areas and water schemes in Kildare. 

Uisce Éireann drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Kildare County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible. 

This water should not be used for

• Drinking
• Drinks made with water
• Food preparation, washing or cooking of food,
• Brushing of teeth
• Making of ice
• Children under 12 months old should not drink this water
• In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. 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.
• Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
• Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
• Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges

What can you use water for?

• The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils
• Uisce Éireann and Kildare County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting this drinking water restriction as soon as practicable.