Irish Water progressing with ice-pigging in Tallanstown village

Irish Water in partnership with Louth County Council advises that essential works to safeguard the water supply for customers remaining on a Boil Water Notice in Tallanstown village will commence on 17 December 2019. The works known as “ice-pigging” are scheduled to be completed on Wednesday 18 December. Works will take place between 9am and 5pm on both days. Ice pigging is an innovative technique in which an ice slush is pumped into a water main and forced along the inside to clean the pipe by removing sediment and other unwanted deposits.

While these essential works are underway customers may experience disruption to their supply. They may experience water discolouration and intermittent water supply. The following locations will be impacted; Mullacrew to Tallanstown Village; Glyde Rd (Up to Rathbrist Cottages); Rathbrist Cottages; Glyde View; Tallansfield Manor; Chestnut Grove; Springfield; R171 Tallanstown to Ardee Rd (Glyde Rangers GFC to Village); Tallanstown Village and Castleview. Tallanstown School will also be affected by these works. Following the completion of these works property owners should run their tap until the water is clear.

Irish Water, in partnership with Louth County Council has already carried out works at the plant which made it possible for the Boil Water Notice to be lifted for the majority of customers impacted by the Boil Water Notice. Following extensive monitoring of the plant and network Irish Water can confirm that adequate chlorine levels are being maintained consistently at all locations with the exception of the specific section of the network where ice-pigging is required It is necessary that chlorine is present at adequate levels in drinking water to ensure that the water remains disinfected until it gets to the taps in people’s homes and businesses.

The programme of ice-pigging should help maintain adequate levels of chlorine in the watermain. Monitoring will continue following the works to verify adequate chlorine levels.

The Boil Water Notice which has been in place since 30 July, 2019 remains in place for approximately 600 customers in Tallanstown village. The Boil Water Notice remains in place in the areas highlighted red in the map provided, including the following locations; Chestnut Grove; Castle view; Rathbrist cottages; Glyde road; Tallansfield manor; Glyde view and Tullarsfield. Irish Water’s drinking water and operational experts will continue to work with Louth County Council on the issue and will consult with the Health Service Executive to lift the Boil Water Notice for those remaining on the notice as quickly and as safely as possible following the ice-pigging works.

Irish Water acknowledges the impact and inconvenience caused by this Boil Water Notice to homes and businesses in the Tallanstown area. We wish to thank the community for their ongoing patience and cooperation while we work to resolve this issue for those remaining on the Boil Water Notice. Irish Water’s priority is the provision of safe, clean drinking water and safeguarding that water supply for the future is a vital focus.

Updates are available on the Water Supply Updates section on our website, on Twitter and via our customer care helpline open 24/7 on 1850 278 278.

Further information on Boil Water Notices can be found on our website https://www.water.ie/water-supply/water-quality/boil-water-notice/

Boil Water Notice Advice

Water must be boiled for:

  • Drinking
  • Drinks made with water
  • Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating
  • Brushing of teeth
  • Making of ice – discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water

What actions should be taken:

  • Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads)
  • Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling
  • Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink
  • Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water
  • Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated.

Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children.