Drinking Water Audit Report in respect of Audit carried out on 02/03/21 at Barndarrig Public Drinking Water Supply.
Irish Water issued a Do Not Consume Notice to 220 consumers of Barndarrig public water supply on 09/02/21 due to nitrite exceedances in the final water at Barndarrig water treatment plant. The incident was suitably escalated and managed in order to protect public health.
Investigations into the cause of the nitrite contamination have been inconclusive to date. Irish Water and Wicklow County Council should complete the investigations and identify any remedial measures necessary to address potentially polluting activities in the zone of contribution to the borehole source.
Daily samples are taken (Monday to Friday) for analysis of nitrite
To date, the investigation has been inconclusive in determining the cause of the nitrite contamination of the borehole source
Irish Water plans to install a continuous nitrite monitor at Barndarrig water treatment plant to provide real time data and to serve as a warning system if nitrite levels rise again
During the audit, neither Irish Water or Wicklow County Council could rule out the possible impact of recent slurry spreading in the area or leakage from the sewer network in the vicinity
EPS Ireland representatives confirmed there is 36 to 48 hours storage of treated water in the reservoir at Barndarrig water treatment plant. This will allow the plant to be shut down temporarily if nitrite levels exceed a critical level, when the continuous nitrite monitor is in place at the plant