Date released: November 04, 2019
Irish Water, in consultation with HSE, has issued a precautionary boil water notice on the Leixlip water treatment plant.
Irish Water advised EPA this morning (4th November) that there were operational issues at Leixlip water treatment plant during the weekend.
On Sunday 3rd November, two out of the three production lines at Leixlip water treatment plant were shut down from 1pm, due to high turbidity levels in the raw water entering the plant. This was attributed to very heavy rainfall that was experienced on Saturday 2nd November.
This shutdown has depleted the reserves of treated water in the reservoirs and distribution network served by Leixlip. Due to ongoing heavy rainfall, there are continuing issues with the quality of raw water entering the plant.
The Leixlip plant will begin producing water from all of its production lines this evening in order to ensure the continuity of the water supply. The increase in turbidity in the filtered water gives rise to a risk of breakthrough of parasites, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, into the water entering the distribution system.
A meeting was held this afternoon with Irish Water, Fingal County Council, HSE and EPA. Following the meeting, Irish Water in consultation with HSE, having assessed the risk to public health, have decided that a precautionary boil water notice is needed. Consumers should ensure they heed the advice and boil their water for drinking purposes, brushing their teeth, preparing food and infants bottles.
The EPA continues to liaise with Irish Water and the HSE on this matter.