IRISH Water is to write
to homes and businesses on the public water network
in parts of Donegal including Greencastle where the
drinking water quality is not as good as it could
be. However, customers should note that water is
still safe to drink.
Irish Water will outline what they are doing in the
Cashilard, Creeslough, Glenties-Ardara, Greencastle,
Owenteskna-Kilcar, Letterkenny and Milford-Letterkenny
public water supplies where all schemes have issues
with elevated levels of THMs and some have issues
with cryptosporidium or high turbidity.
In Greencastle, where there are issues with elevated
levels of THMs and high turbidity in the water,
Irish Water will be changing the supply so in future
customers will be supplied from the East Inishowen
Public Water Scheme. These works are scheduled to be
complete by early 2019.
In Letterkenny, where there are issues with elevated
levels of THMs and ineffective barriers against
cryptosporidium, the treatment plant is being
upgraded and these works are due to be completed by
mid-2019.
Elevated levels of THMs: All public water supplies
need to be disinfected to make sure the water is
safe to drink. Chlorine is used by Irish Water to
disinfect drinking water. If you drink water that
has not been properly disinfected, there is a risk
of serious and possibly life-threatening illness.
An effect of using chlorine is that chemical
compounds called trihalomethanes (THMs) can form
over time. This happens when chlorine reacts with
natural organic matter (tiny remaining particles of
dirt, twigs, leaves and so on) in the water.
Irish Water is taking action to remove the risk of
THMs forming in affected water supplies by improving
the treatment plant and the water distribution
network.
Poor turbidity removal: Turbidity is a measure of
the cloudiness of water. Certain water supplies can
be prone to increased levels of turbidity after
heavy rain, or because algae has grown in the water
source or because material such as sediment in the
water mains has been disrupted. While turbidity can
affect the look, taste and smell of drinking water,
it is safe to drink. It simply means there is an
operational problem at the water treatment plant.
Speaking about the public information campaign,
Irish Water’s Water Compliance Specialist Dr Pat
O’Sullivan said: “Irish Water has worked closely
with the Environmental Protection Agency to identify
the public water schemes that need a plan or action
to improve their water treatment. We are
prioritising our investment in these treatment
plants. Providing safe, clean drinking water for all
in Co Donegal is our first goal.
“Everyone we are writing to in Donegal has access to
drinking water that is safe to drink. We monitor and
test our supplies on a continuous basis and if this
monitoring indicates a potential water quality issue
we consult with the HSE. If there is any potential
risk to public health from the drinking water supply
we inform the public immediately. If anyone has any
questions or concerns they should contact Irish
Water.”
If members of the public have any questions that are
not covered in booklet please phone us on Callsave
1850 278 278 or +353 1 707 2828. |
