Overnight water restrictions have been lifted on the southern Aran island of Inis Oírr, Irish Water has confirmed.
However, the “do not consume” notice remains in place for water in An Spidéal, parts of na Forbacha and Ros-a-Mhíl due to the presence of manganese over a month after it was issued to over 5,600 people in Co Galway.
The night-time restrictions on Inis Oírr between 11 pm and 7 am were introduced to conserve low water resources on the island, where water supplies have been a long-running issue.
Water was shipped by tanker from Ros-a-Mhíl during the summer months, but Eoin Hughes of Irish Water said that services on the island had recovered sufficiently to ensure a continuous supply into the autumn.
Uplift has recorded 697 signatures to date in a petition calling for Irish Water to issue an official notice and apology to households affected by the “do not consume” notice in An Spidéal and extending to parts of Na Forbacha and Ros-a-Mhíl.
It is also calling for more information on the health risks of manganese in water, compensation for damage of electrical appliances, and provision of safe water.
Irish Water says that alternative water supplies in the form of bulk tankers are being replenished daily at five locations between Na Forbacha and Ros-a-Mhíl.
The Uplift petition is here