Clare County Council issues statement on lead in drinking water

Ireland (SANEPR.com) October 7, 2008 -- Along with other local authorities throughout the country, Clare County Council has increased monitoring of water supplies for levels of lead in recent weeks.

After monitoring of drinking water supplies, elevated levels of lead were found present in water supplies in the following locations: Church View in Sixmilebridge, Patrick Street in Clarecastle, and Marian Avenue and Connolly Villas in Ennis. Clare County Council estimates that approximately 150 premises at the four locations are potentially affected.

David Timlin, Director of Service with Clare County Council said, “the risk relates specifically to premises which were constructed before the early 1960s and have not been renovated since and continue to have lead services. If your home was built since the early 1960s, it is likely that there are no lead pipes in your property. People who stay or live in homes built before the early 1960s and are concerned that their supply is from lead services are advised to flush their pipes as a precaution by running the cold water from the kitchen tap until the sink is filled, before consuming the water.

This advice applies particularly first thing in the morning or if the water has been unused in the pipes for longer than six hours.”

If adverse results are verified by the current programme of monitoring, further assessment will be carried out. Consumers particularly at risk include children under 6, and pregnant women.”

Even if homes have lead service pipes, the water is safe for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and clothes. Boiling is not appropriate to deal with lead exceedances.

Lead is only picked up as water passes through pipes and household plumbing fittings and fixtures that contain lead. The Council wishes to emphasise that the water coming from production plants and in the distribution mains throughout the county is completely free of lead.

According to Mr. Timlin, “Clare County Council will continue to follow EPA guidelines and will be carrying out surveys to identify locations of concern and is preparing an action plan”.

A further update will be issued to the media as soon as possible as monitoring of supplies continues.

Further queries may be directed to 065 6846505 or 6846430.

-ENDS-

Note to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900