The water supply in parts of Bray, Co Wicklow, is contaminated by Ecoli bacteria, the Eastern Health Board has confirmed. Households have been issued with urgent warning notices.
The contamination was discovered in tap water in Little Bray. Testing revealed the presence of the bacteria in Fassaroe, Little Bray and Palermo.
Bray Urban District Council has advised 1,300 households not to use the water for drinking, or for hygiene, first aid or food preparation unless it has been boiled for at least 10 minutes. E-coli pollution usually results from faecal contamination.
The council has also advertised on East-Coast Radio, warning people against washing anything that may spread infection.
The Irish Times understands a local factory which monitors the quality of its water intake identified the contamination late last week.
Residents were notified on Thursday as testing and monitoring of the pipe network began.
A pipe leak was discovered in Dublin Road but as of yesterday local public representatives could not identify the source of the contamination.
Ms Liz McManus, the local Democratic Left TD, who lives at Bray Harbour, confirmed the detection of E-coli.
"The source of the contamination is faecal, but just how it got into the water we do not know yet. The council have people out all weekend and the Eastern Health Board is continually testing."
Ms McManus added that a growing number of householders were calling for water tankers to bring in a fresh supply. " But the trouble is that you would have to boil that water too. People are understandably upset, some need to change bandages and wash and dress injuries."
The council has installed a chlorine treatment system in the affected area, which Ms McManus says appears to be successful.
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