A 18 month boil notice for a village in Limerick is “not good enough”, the local school principal has said. 

In September 2023, the 2,300 residents of Cappamore were issued with a boil notice after Uisce Éirean detected cryptosporidium in the water supply. 

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can trigger watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea or vomiting

On Lunchtime Live, Scoil Chaitríona Principal Nicola Blake said it had made life incredibly difficult for her and her staff.  

“We had a water fountain outside and we had to cover that in September of ‘23 and it’s been covered since,” she said. 

“Staff are constantly having to boil water, children are constantly forgetting their water bottles [and] we have to have extra water the whole time [for] our autism classes here for preparing food, for drinking water and hygiene purposes. 

“We just have to be constantly vigilant with the children.”

Woman filling a glass of water from the kitchen sink tap. Image: incamerastock / Alamy

In a statement on its website, Uisce Éireann said it was “continuing to prioritise works to safely lift the Boil Water Notice”. 

However, Ms Blake said locals had expected the required works to be carried out much quicker. 

“The school was closed in November for work that was carried out on one of the lines, alright,” she said. 

“They’re constantly trying to carry out work but, at this point in time, the people of Cappamore have been very patient and tolerant. 

“It’s not good enough at this point now. 

“It must be one of the longest running villages in Ireland that has gone without water for this amount of time.” 

Taps in a kitchen. Image: Yuri Arcurs / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Blake said there is a “lot of anger and a lot of frustration” in the village and at her school. 

“It’s the fact that we have to be vigilant all the time,” she said. 

“And be mindful of the children all the time and that they wouldn’t try to use any of the water that is in school. 

“It just is frustrating and creates a problem that should have been sorted out a long time ago.” 

In 2023, Uisce Éireann spend €1.2 billion on Ireland’s water and wastewater infrastructure. 

Between now and 2050, it estimates it will need to spend a further €55 to €60 billion. 

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Main image: A boil notice letter. Picture by: Barrie Harwood/Alamy Live News