LIMERICK COUNTY Council yesterday joined local authorities in Sligo and Meath in advising residents to boil water from the public supply as a precautionary public health measure following recent flooding.
The Limerick authority issued a boil notice, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, after the bacteria E.coli was found in water from the Rockhill treatment plant.
The areas affected are Ballyteige Upper, Ballyfookeen, Howardstown North, Cappanafaraha, Ballywillin, Ballyclough Upper, Ballyinoran, Garryfine, Knockaunavoddig, Garrane, Ballynoe, Mounteagle and Lotteragh Upper.
Director of services Paul Crowe said the supply had been "under continuous surveillance" due to the heavy rainfall.
"The surveillance subsequently identified E.coli in the water supply." He said water from the supply should not be used for human consumption until further notice. Water for drinking, brushing teeth and food preparation should be boiled and water from the hot tap is not safe to drink.
Boil notices also remain in place in parts of Sligo and Meath.
The areas affected in Sligo are those served by the Kilsallagh reservoir, which supplies Rosses Point, Kiltycahill and northern parts of Sligo town. Fresh drinking water will be delivered by tanker to a number of locations today. Full details are on the council's website. In Meath, about 4,000 people connected to the Athboy and Moynalty water supply should also continue to boil water until further notice. A spokesman for Meath County Council said the results of a further batch of tests are awaited.