As Inishbofin prepares for a storytelling festival next weekend, residents on the island’s public water supply scheme have been told not to consume water due to elevated manganese levels.
Irish Water says the notice applies to approximately 156 island residents on the public scheme and does not apply to other areas and water schemes in Galway.
It says it is “especially important that mains drinking water is not given to bottle-fed infants”.
Irish Water cautions that this is not a boil water notice, as boiling water will not reduce manganese levels and will not make the water safer to consume.
It says tankered water is being made available on the island, near the pier, to provide an alternative water supply to customers.
“ Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure,” it says.
Irish Water says its drinking water compliance and operational experts are “working with colleagues in Galway County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible”.
Irish Water operations lead Rónan Daly said the State utility was “ aware of the impact a “Do Not Consume Notice” has on the community”.
He said the company “would like to reassure impacted customers that we are working hard to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible”.
“We would ask customers who have concerns to contact our customer care team on 1800 278 278,” Daly said.
The first “ Inishbofin Tidings – Storytelling Festival” takes place from September 9th to 11th.
The family-friendly festival opens on Friday evening next, September 9th, with “Stories Untold”, an exhibition opening and book launch at Inishbofin Community Centre.
It involves stories of items found on the beaches of Inishbofin by Veronika Straberger and Marie Coyne.
Also on Friday, actor John O’Dowd and special guests will host the screening of “Desecration”, a film shot on Inishbofin in the 1980s and involving local talent.
Among the many events for both adults and children throughout the weekend, there is an exhibition at the community centre entitled “Light of Hope through Despair”, a visual diary by Tetiana Vysotska of her journey from Bucha, Ukraine to Creggs, Co Galway.
More information on the programme is here