Culdaff boil water notice enters fourth week

A boil water notice affecting Culdaff has rolled into a fourth week, with Uisce Éireann saying crews are continuing to carry out remedial works to address the problem.
More than 1,300 residents served by the Culdaff Public Water Supply, along with the nearby Three Glens Group Water Scheme, have been under a boil water notice since mid-February.
Last summer, a boil water notice affecting the same water supply was put in place for more than five weeks, with Uisce Éireann saying at the time that lower-than-average rainfall had caused wells to run dry. The State water utility has not commented on what caused the problems this time, although it can hardly be a lack of rainfall given the winter and spring weather so far.

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The current boil water notice was introduced on 17 February after high turbidity levels in the raw water affected the treatment process at the plant, Uisce Éireann said. Turbidity, which refers to cloudiness caused by particles in the water, can interfere with the disinfection process and may allow harmful microorganisms to pass through the treatment system.
Uisce Éireann said remedial works and operational adjustments are ongoing at the treatment plant, while enhanced monitoring of the water supply is continuing. Test results are being reviewed and shared with the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the process required before the notice can be lifted.
Damien O’Sullivan of Uisce Éireann said teams are working to restore normal water quality as quickly and safely as possible. He acknowledged the disruption and inconvenience caused to homes and businesses, but said the notice remains necessary to protect public health while the issue is resolved.
Customers can check if their property is affected by visiting water.ie and entering their Eircode, or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, which operates 24 hours a day on 1800 278 278.

A map of the affected area.

Public health advice remains in place. Customers on the supply should continue to boil water before drinking it, preparing food, brushing teeth or making ice until the notice is lifted.