Residents ‘forgotten’ as supply issue rolls into a ninth monthin Batterstown

TESTING Irish Water says it working in partnership with Meath County Council to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly and as safely as possible

The plight of Batterstown residents who have been without a proper water supply for nine months was described as disgraceful at a meeting of Ratoath Municipal Council last week.

“It is a disgrace the way the people of Batterstown have been forgotten. If it was a town like Trim or Navan, this wouldn't be allowed to continue,” said Cllr Damien O'Reilly.

Meanwhile, local resident Leona Kearney said it is particularly difficult on residents who are elderly or sick.

“We received a Do Not Consume notice in September and in December a boil water notice.

“We have been told it should be resolved in the second quarter of this year, but it is now the second quarter.

“It is a huge nuisance especially for elderly and sick residents.

“We are buying bottled water. We have been told that we need to boil water in order to wash vegetables or brush our teeth – it very annoying especially as the price of electricity has gone through the roof.

“If they would at least supply us with tankers of water, it would be a help,” she said.

Cllr Brian Fitzgerald said it has gone on for far too long.

“It has been going on for the past nine months. I keep raising it at Area Meetings, but people still cannot use the water.

“Residents are still buying water, especially where there are people who are sick.

“It is not fair on the residents,” he said.

A spokesperson for Irish Water said the Boil Water Notice issued on 13th December for 96 customers on the Batterstown Public Water Scheme remains in place.

“Following consultation with the HSE, the Boil Water notice replaced a Do Not Consume notice following extensive remedial works by Irish Water in partnership with Meath Co Council at the treatment plant to reduce the impact on customers while continuing to protect public health.”

She said the restriction was imposed following a bromate exceedance in the water supply which was caused by a combination of disinfection methods at the plant.

“In order to return it to compliant levels, one of the disinfection processes has been temporarily taken offline which enabled the restriction to be reduced to a Boil Water Notice.

“This means all customers of this supply can drink their tap water provided it is brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then allowed to cool before consumption.

“An alternative water supply is not provided as HSE advice is to boil water from IBCs and tankers before consuming.

“We would like to reassure impacted customers that Irish Water’s drinking water compliance and operational experts are working in partnership with Meath County Council to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation and agreement with the HSE.”

She said works to upgrade the disinfection system at Batterstown Water Treatment Plant are continuing and include the replacement of the UV disinfection unit and upgrades to the control and dosing systems.

“Following the upgrade works, testing will begin to ensure the treatment system is operating to maximum effectiveness and the drinking water is safe to drink.

“Irish Water, in partnership with Meath County Council, is also exploring long term solutions to provide a more reliable and sustainable water supply for the area and resolve current issues with the local supply.”