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Contaminated water scare in Muff 23.09.08

Boil water notice remains in force after bacterial contamination of public water supply

by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent

A BOIL notice remained in force in Muff last night as the water services division of Donegal County Council and the HSE attempted to address a problem with the public water supply.
The notice came into force on Thursday last when analysis found higher than permitted levels of bacterial contamination in the drinking water supply from Drumhaggart Reservoir. Donegal County Council immediately issued the warning notice through both Inishowen Community Radio and Highland Radio, and hand delivered notices to householders and businesses in the village.
Consumers were warned not to use the water for drinking, cooking or brushing teeth and advised to boil all water before consumption.
The Council yesterday said that tests carried out in the area last Friday and Saturday turned up clear for contaminants.
Further tests were carried out in the area yesterday and the results of those are expected today. “At that stage, the Council will continue to consult with the HSE towards the early lifting of the Boiling Notice,” a council spokeswoman said yesterday.
Local primary school principal Teresa Ward complimented the Council on its efficient handling of the situation. “We received the boil notice and circulated it with every child in the school,” she said. “We advised parents to send bottled water to school with the children and it worked out well for us.”
However, one local resident was
Muff Village
critical of how the notice was distributed. “The letters weren’t delivered until after 4.30pm on Thursday evening, and then not all homes received them,” she said. “The helpline listed in the letter was incorrect, when I called it the people there didn’t have any information whatsoever and I was given two other numbers to try.”
The resident said that local reports of illness or stomach upsets were slight. “There were a few cases of stomach cramps and diarrhoea locally, but nothing serious enough to warrant medical attention.”
The Drumhaggart Reservoir supplies water in an area from the Rock Bar into Muff village and as far as Diver’s Builders’ Providers on the Moville Road.
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