Environmental health officers are working with householders and businesses throughout the country to ensure any disruption of water supplies does not pose a threat to public health, the HSE said.
The HSE today issued guidelines to householders and businesses following disruption to water supplies in some parts of the country.
“While the current disruptions pose challenges for the public and for many businesses, everyone needs to be aware of the steps that they can take to ensure that there is no risk to a member of the public's health as a result of limited water supplies," said Ann Marie Part, HSE area chief environmental health officer for Dublin Mid Leinster.
Emergency water supplies are being provided in some affected areas and members of the public are being asked to bring their own containers for water collection.
The HSE said this water should be boiled before use as a precautionary measure. It advised that formula feeds for babies should be made using water from the water tankers in the affected areas, or else bottled water should be brought to a ‘rolling’ boil and left to cool for no more than half an hour.
The HSE also urged people to ensure that they wash their hands frequently. If no tap
water is available, they should use the water supply from water tankers in designated areas, bottled water, hand wipes or sanitizers.
In a statement, the HSE said the public should conserve water where possible and to only flush toilets when necessary.
Schools and childcare settings in affected areas that do not have water for drinking, washing or sanitation “need to ensure that adequate alternative arrangements have been made to ensure that there is no risk to public health for the duration of the disruption to the water supply”, it said.
It also said that householders and businesses should ensure that if their water is sourced from a private supply such as a well, they should ensure it has not been affected by flood waters.
“If the private well has been covered by flood water, if the water changes colour, taste or smell, or, if you believe the supply has been affected by the flood, assume the water is unsafe to drink unless boiled or sourced elsewhere.”