Boil Water notice in Drumconrath amid fears for health

A CALL for a new source of water for the Drumconrath Public Water Supply has been made, as Irish Water issued a new Boil Water Notice for customers supplied by the scheme.

Local councillor Michael Gallagher says he believes the water was unsuitable for drinking at any time.

The boil water notice comes just weeks after a similar notice, which lasted up to six weeks was lifted.

“We need a new source. Lough Bracken is not suitable,” says Cllr Michael Gallagher. “I would advise peoole not to drink the water at any time.”

He expressed concern about a possible cancer causing agent in the current supply.

He claims there are Trihalomethes or TMC in the water supply, which is caused by chlorine needed to purify the water reacting with the organic matter in the supply.

“Some scientists say that TMC is a cancer causing agent, although science is divided on it,” he said.

“The reason for the boil notice is that Lough Bracken had an increase in organic material in the water. This comes when the heavy rain brings shedding from the trees and the mud from under the trees to the lake. I have raised this issue with Meath County Council and Irish Water over the years.

“If we can’t solve this problem Irish Water must find a new water source. At the December meeting of Kells Municipal District, I requested a meeting with Irish Water to highlight the ongoing issues with their water systems in the Kells area.

“The town of Ardee gets its water from the River Dee without any problems and the river is just a short distance from Drumconrath.

“I am calling to Irish Water find a new water source, whether it is from the river Dee or bore holes. This must be done straight away

“We need a new source of water urgently,” he said.

A spokesperson for Irish Water said they monitor the drinking water quality for public supplies, as does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“In relation to the Drumconrath Public Water Supply, Irish Water can confirm that works are progressing to upgrade the water supply in the area.

“There are some concerns about possible health risks from drinking water with elevated THM levels, however, issues associated with exposure to THMs from drinking water in the long and short term are uncertain and unproven.

“According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), several scientific studies have been undertaken in this area but none have found any conclusive evidence of a link between THMs and serious illness such as cancer.

“Irish Water is taking action to remove the risk of elevated levels of THMs forming in all public water supplies. Key to achieving this is to ensure the treatment process removes as much organic matter as possible, thereby, removing this primary precursor of THM formation.

“In order to achieve this, we have initiated a prioritised programme of investment to address all treatment deficiencies, including those for THMs.

“With this programme, we are committed to improving water quality through investment in water services infrastructure and are targeting specific Water Supply Zones where the risk of elevated THMs are highest.

“As well as prioritising investment in removing the risk of elevated levels of THMs in public water schemes, Irish Water is upgrading and optimising the treatment processes at all water treatment plants across the country.

“This includes controlling the concentration of chlorine in the water, which is one of the key measures in controlling THM formation.

“Additional measures we are taking to minimise THM formation, includes the reorganisation of networks and regular flushing of storage reservoirs and pipelines.”

The boil water notice issued last week warns the public that water must be boiled for drinking, for drinks made with water, for the preparation of salads, brushing of teeth and making of ice.

Irish Water has been contacting registered vulnerable customers who are affected by this Boil Water Notice to advise them.

“In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice. In line with HSE Covid-19 advice and the requirement for frequent hand washing, Irish Water advises that the water remains suitable for this purpose and boiling the water is not required.”