Boil notice expected to lift tomorrow

It’s expected a water boil notice that’s been in place since E.coli and Coliform bacteria were found in a water sample taken in the Drumbane area of Birr last Thursday, July 4 will be lifted tomorrow (Friday).

Speaking to the Offaly Independent senior engineer at Offaly County Council Tom Shanahan said only one sample taken on July 4 returned a contaminated result.

Since then two clear results have been returned, and following a third that’s expected tomorrow the water boil notice in the area that affects 24 houses will be lifted.

A boil notice was put in place by the council for all of Birr Public Water Scheme and Crinkle and Miletree Group Water Schemes after the July 4 result.

Residents were advised to use boiled and cooled water only for drinking, brushing teeth, preparing food and bathing children.

They were also advised to discard any ice cubes in fridges or freezers, and use regular water only for the flushing of toilets and internal house plumbing.

On Saturday last, July 6, the water boil notice was lifted for all areas other than Drumbane.

A second notice was issued in regard to Drumbane on the same day following consultation with the HSE as investigations into the contamination were ongoing.

Mr Shanahan explained that routine water samples are taken monthly for laboratory analysis, but daily testing is done on chlorine residual levels.