Up to 50,000 people affected by contaminated water supply in Mayo

Mayo County Council has warned that a public water supply is contaminated with Cryptosporidium.

Up to 50,000 people in Mayo have been affected by a boil water notice after the parasite cryptosporidium was detected in the Lough Mask Regional Public Water Supply. Mayo County Council and Irish Water have issued a boil water notice to people living in areas supplied by the scheme, which includes the towns of Castlebar, Westport, Claremorris and Ballinrobe. Consumers have been advised to boil water before drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth and making ice due to the presence of cryptosporidium, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhoea. The areas affected can be seen in the public alert here and in the map below; Irish Water and Mayo County Council will continue to liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) with a view to lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as practicable. For more information, check out the Mayo County Council and Irish Water websites.