12-08-2025
2,500 Carlow customers hit with boil water notice due to presence of E.coli
Uisce Éireann has issued a boil water notice for customers supplied by the Bagenalstown public water supply.
The notice is being issued to protect the health of approximately 2,500 customers due to the presence of in a regulatory sample.
can cause a variety of health issues such as diarrhea, stomach cramping, pain or tenderness and nausea and vomiting in some people.
Customers impacted include those in Parc Muire, Bagenalstown town centre, Borris Road, Saint Bridget's Crescent, Father Cummins Park, Conway Park, The Long Range, Eastwood and surrounding areas. All customers on this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.
Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann are working to rectify the issues and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE).
'Public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health,' said Shane Aylward, spokesperson for Uisce Éireann.
'We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and as safely possible.'
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
Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. 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. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute and cooled in the normal way). Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.
Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the 'water quality section' of and entering the property's Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann's customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.
