Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A water charge protest in Castlebar, one of the towns affected by the notice. Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
Cryptosporidium

Up to 50,000 people hit by boil water notice in Mayo

Castlebar, Claremorris and Westport are all affected.

A BOIL WATER notice has been issued for parts of Mayo because of contamination by cryptosporidium.

The notice is being put in place in at least 10 towns and their surrounding areas. Included in the notice are Castlebar, Claremorris and parts of Westport.

It is estimated that up to 50,000 people could be affected because of the contamination of the Lough Mask regional water supply scheme

The decision to issue the boil water notice was taken by Irish Water after consultation with the Health Service Executive.

The notice means that water must first be boiled before drinking, food preparation or the the brushing of teeth.

Sean Corrigan, regional information specialist for Irish Water said public health is the company’s number one priority and it is imperative that people adhere to the boil water notice.

The company has contacted 325 ‘priority customers’ – customers who have previously notified them of a disease or illness that would make them particularly vulnerable – by telephone to inform them of the notice.

“Irish Water is working closely with May County Council to investigate all aspects of the scheme. A continuous sampling and testing programme has been put in place,” Corrigan said.

The parasite cryptosporidium can cause gastrointestinal problems including diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and nausea.

Read: Irish Water: Boil water notice for 10,000 people in Cork will last for “six to eight months” >

Read: Germans told to stockpile food and water in case of terrorist attack >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
111
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.