A BOIL WATER notice has been issued in Roscommon.

Roscommon County Council has advised consumers in the areas served by the Boyle and Boyle/Ardcarne regional water supply scheme that as a precautionary measure they should boil water before use until further notice.

The areas affected include Killaraght, Rockingham, Knockvicar, Cootehall, Tarmon Road, Kiltycreighton, Crossna, Derrycashel, Moigh, Carrigeenroe, Battlebridge and Ardcarne.

It is essential that people in the affected areas boil any water intended for drinking or food preparation, and if people are unsure of the source of their water supply, they are advised to boil water as a precautionary measure.

The move is due to the presence of cryptosporidiosis. In April, an outbreak of the infectious organism was also found in the water supply,  leading to a boil water notice.

Water should be boiled for:

• Drinking
• Drinks made with water
• Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating
• Brushing of teeth
• Making of ice (discard ice cubes in fridge/freezers)
• Un-boiled water should not be used for these purposes
• Un-boiled water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling

Under a boil water notice, people should boil water until rolling, then allow it to cool, cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place.

The ‘Boil Water Notice’ will be lifted when the water supply is considered to be safe.

Speaking to RTÉ radio show Morning Ireland this morning, Mayor of Roscommon Tom Crosby said that thousands of people are affected by the boil water notice.

He said that tests are ongoing by the HSE and Environmental Protection Agency, and that councils met with the Department of Environment on Tuesday to discuss interim treatment.

Funding has been sanctioned for a new treatment plant in Roscommon and the plan has gone out to tender.  An interim treatment solution is being worked on by county officials and the Department of Environment.

This treatment would be a UV filtration system, the mayor explained. Tests have shown that that the type of cryptosporidium in the water is related to animal waste, said Crosby.

Read: Gut infection outbreak in Roscommon caused by water supply>