Westmeath County Council has issued a boil water notice as a precaution for customers supplied by the Athlone Water Treatment Plant until 6pm tomorrow.
Following consultation with the Health Service Executive and Irish Water, the notice has been put in place to protect public health following an issue with the disinfection process, which resulted in small quantities of inadequately disinfected water entering the supply.
The issue is now resolved, however, the boil water notice will remain in place as a precaution for 24 hours, until 6pm tomorrow, 11 March.
The notice effects approximately 19,000 consumers supplied by the Athlone Water Treatment.
Areas impacted include Athlone town, West Side, Baylough, Coosan, Baylin, Creve, Mount Temple, Glasson, Tubberclare, The Ories, Garrycastle, Ardnaglug, Fardrum, Moydrum, Blyry, Killyon Hill, Bonavalley, Athlone and surrounds in Co Westmeath.
Asset Operations Lead with Irish Water John Gavin said that he regrets the inconvenience caused to impacted customers.
"Public health is Irish Water’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place as a precaution for 24 hours to protect public health.
"Works are also progressing at Athlone Treatment Plant to increase its capacity, provide increased resilience, and safeguard the supply for the future," he said.
Irish Water advises that the water supply remains suitable for hand washing and personal hygiene, but customers are advised to boil water before its consumed or used for food preparation.
Customers can check if they are impacted by the boil water notice by visiting www.water.ie where advice is also available.
Irish Water's 24 hour customer care helpline can be reached on 1800-278-278.
