A BOIL WATER notice has been issued for parts of Mayo because of contamination by cryptosporidium.
The notice is being put in place in at least 10 towns and their surrounding areas. Included in the notice are Castlebar, Claremorris and parts of Westport.
It is estimated that up to 50,000 people could be affected because of the contamination of the Lough Mask regional water supply scheme
The decision to issue the boil water notice was taken by Irish Water after consultation with the Health Service Executive.
The notice means that water must first be boiled before drinking, food preparation or the the brushing of teeth.
Sean Corrigan, regional information specialist for Irish Water said public health is the company’s number one priority and it is imperative that people adhere to the boil water notice.
The company has contacted 325 ‘priority customers’ – customers who have previously notified them of a disease or illness that would make them particularly vulnerable – by telephone to inform them of the notice.
“Irish Water is working closely with May County Council to investigate all aspects of the scheme. A continuous sampling and testing programme has been put in place,” Corrigan said.
The parasite cryptosporidium can cause gastrointestinal problems including diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and nausea.
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