Irish Water and Roscommon County Council have announced that, following advice from the HSE, the boil water notice on the North East Roscommon Regional Water Supply has been lifted with immediate effect.
The notice was originally imposed two and a half years ago and impacted 5,400 consumers – The area served by the North East Roscommon Regional Water Supply extends from Roosky in the east to Tulsk in the west and from Drumsna in the north to Ballyleague in the south.
In March of this year pressure filters, a temporary UV reactor and control panels were installed at Lisheen Lake Pump House. After the work was complete months of testing took place before the HSE deemed the water quality to be suitable. Consumers can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation, making ice and brushing teeth. The Irish Water Customer Contact Centre (1850 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to this water notice. Further information is available on the Irish Water website at www.water.ie
News welcomed
Speaking following the announcement Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said that he was “very pleased” with the news. “This is an issue that I have been working on along with Irish Water for the past number of months. I have been at the site to inspect the temporary UV equipment that is now in operation and has allowed this lifting of the boil water notice to take place. This affects 5,400 people and I will be working hard to ensure that a permanent solution takes place as soon as possible” added Michael Fitzmaurice. In the meantime it is good news for all consumers on the scheme that this long standing boil water notice is being lifted.”
Fianna Fail TD Eugene Murphy said it was most welcome news that the boil water notice was eventually being lifted and he noted he had campaigned and worked on this issue for the past number of years. “This will bring most welcome news for some 5,400 customers who have been seriously inconvenienced for a long time and it is particularly good news for hundreds of publicans, hoteliers, restaurants, cafes etc who were still paying full price for both drinking water and wastewater charges despite the fact that there had been a boil water notice in place. The lifting of the boil water notice will now bring relief for many people,” said Deputy Murphy. The Fianna Fail TD also acknowledged the work of local area councillor Valerie Byrne who had also campaigned on this issue for some time.
“A temporary UV system at a cost of 800,000 euro has been in place for months now and following months of testing the boil water notice has now been lifted. It is important to point out that the temporary system is a moveable system which can be moved to other problem locations around the country once the permanent water treatment plant for the North East supply is in place so it is not a waste of money,” added Deputy Murphy.