Released on: August 1, 2008, 12:03 pm

Press Release Author: Mark Dunphy/Dunphy Public Relations

Industry: Government

Press Release Summary: Friday, 1 August 2008 - Limerick County Council has issued a
public drinking water notice affecting hundreds of customers in Newcastle West and
its environs.

Press Release Body: The boil notice has been issued following the serious flooding
experienced by the West Limerick town as a result of recent heavy rainfall.

The Council confirmed that 93mm of rainfall, equivalent to a month's rain, was
recorded near Newcastle West over a five hour period late last night and early this
morning.

The areas affected by the boil notice include Newcastle West, Coolcappagh and
Rathcahill, as well as the Ballyine, Dually, Reens Kilscannell, Old Mill Road,
Killoughteen and Killeline Group Water Supply Schemes.

According to Donal Brennan, A/Director of Services Transportation & Water Services,
Limerick County Council, 'Due to the recent extra-ordinary flooding, the production
of water at the Newcastle West Water Treatment Plant is severely restricted.
Limerick County Council is currently taking all steps to re-commence full production
at the plant. The water in the service reservoirs, which was produced before the
flooding, is almost exhausted.'

He added, 'As the Water Services Authority for County Limerick, we wish to advise
members of the public that water being supplied from now until further notice should
not be used for human consumption except under a number of conditions and for
certain purposes.'

Mr. Brennan said, 'The Council wishes to thank the public for their support to date.
A further notice will be issued in due course.'

Boil notice conditions:
Water for drinking purposes, brushing teeth and food preparation should be boiled.
Boil the water to ensure a rolling vigorous boil and then allow it to cool. Cover it
and store it in a fridge or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to
drink. Domestic filters will not guarantee that water is safe to drink.'

Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers. Use water that has been prepared for
drinking (i.e. that is boiled) for preparing foods that will not be cooked, e.g. for
washing salads. It is safe to drink commercial bottled mineral water', he explained.

Baby feeds should be prepared with water that has been brought to the boil once and
cooled. Do not use water that has been reboiled several times. If tap water is
unavailable, use bottled water that has been brought to the boil and cooled. Avoid
using water that is fizzy, unless boiling has removed all the fizziness. Check the
label: water in bottles labelled "natural mineral water" is not required to meet all
the standards of tap waters.

Do not use natural mineral water with concentrations greater than the following for
infant feeding: sodium -200mg/l; Nitrate -50mg/l; Nitrite -0.5mg/l; Sulphate
-250mg/l.

Water may be used for flushing of toilets and for personal hygiene and bathing.
Water may also be used for flushing of internal house plumbing.

Further information and advice is available from the following phone numbers: (061)
496326 (9.30am - 4.30pm Monday - Friday) or (061) 419226 (after hours).

Meanwhile, the Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council has praised the response of
the emergency services to this morning's freak flooding incident in Newcastle West.

Cllr John Gallahue complimented the combined response of Limerick County Council,
Limerick Civil Defence, the Valentia Coast Guard, Limerick County Fire and Rescue,
the ESB, the HSE, An Gardai Siochana and other emergency services.

"Thankfully no lives were lost during the incident, which is one of the most serious
to have taken place in County Limerick for many years. The effective and coordinated
response of the emergency services to this incident should be noted and
complimented', added the Cathaoirleach.

-ENDS-

FURTHER INFO:
Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly
Ennis
Clare
Ireland
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900