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# Limerick
Water restrictions eased for Limerick households
Testing is still being carried out on the water which was contaminated with oil last week.
WATER RESTRICTIONS IN Limerick will be eased this morning but households who will have their supply restored have been told not to use the water for drinking or cooking.
Around 1,500 homes have been without water since last Thursday after an estimated 2,000 litres of volume of oil entered the river from a commercial property forcing Limerick County Council to shut off the water supply.
Homes in Askeaton, Foynes, Shanagolden, Creeves and surrounding areas in west Limerick have been without water for a week. It will now be restored but Limerick County Council has said that “further rigorous testing” needs to be carried out to determine whether or not it is safe to drink.
“Intensive independent laboratory testing of water from the treatment plant indicates that the treated water is now suitable to be used for general distribution,” the council’s senior engineer Donal Brennan said last night.
“Work will commence overnight on preparing the system to receive supplies of water from the treatment plant tomorrow [today]. However, until further rigorous testing is completed, the water supplied is not to be used for drinking or cooking purposes.”
The council says that mains water will from today be restored on a phased basis to the town of Askeaton, serving also the areas of Creeves, Newbridge, Cooltomin, Ballysteen and Kilcornan.
The supply in these areas, and in the towns of Foynes, Shanagolden and surrounding areas, can be used for sanitary flushing, showering, clothes and dish washing, but should not be used for drinking or cooking until further notice.
The towns of Kildimo and Pallaskenry and surrounding areas continue to have a piped water supply, but with a boil water notice in place.
The council also advises that its helpline facility at 061 496493 will continue to operate today from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
