A long-standing Boil Water Notice – which affected around 7,000 customers in West Limerick – was lifted late last week.
As a result, those households linked to the Foynes Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply tasted water from their own taps on Friday morning.
The notice had been in place since May 2023, and related to hundreds of homes along the N69, including many in Askeaton, Foynes, Ballyhahill, Loughill, Ballysteen, Pallaskenry, Kildimo and Shanagolden.
It was issued to protect the health of users following the detection of crypto-sporidium.
Commented Mayor John Moran: “This Boil Water Notice has been extremely damaging to people’s confidence in the water supply. It has been a financial burden on households that paid for bottled water or paid the energy costs involved in boiling all water required for consumption.
“In my discussions with Uisce Éireann it has become obvious to me that they are under-funded to adequately serve Limerick, especially considering the upcoming growth in our housing stock and new industrial activities. I am calling on the Government and our Limerick government TDs to ensure in Budget 2025 that Uisce Éireann is given the funding they need to fix our water infrastructure to the level at which it should be operating.”
In its announcement, Uisce Éireann said: “Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann worked to lift the notice as quickly and safely as possible. Following satisfactory water samples and consultation with the Health Service Executive, the Boil Water Notice has now been lifted.”
It continued: “All customers impacted by the Boil Water Notice can now resume normal use of the public water supply.
“Uisce Eireann acknowledges the impact of the notice on customers and thanks the community for their support while the notice was in place.”