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Contamination scare for south Armagh residents over as NI Water says supplies ‘safe’

NI Water says water 'returned to normal' after reports of 'diesel-like substance'

A ‘do not drink’ order put in place after water was contaminated in south Armagh has been lifted.

NI Water has confirmed that it has been given the all-clear and is once again deemed safe for residents to drink.

Last week local politicians warned residents in Killeavy against drinking the water from the taps after the discovery of what was described as a “diesel type substance”.

This had led to a contamination scare with both the SDLP MLA Justin McNulty and Sinn Fein councillor Liz Kimmins making contact with NI Water to seek action.

Mr McNulty said residents of 2-24 Carn Road, 3-25 Green Road and 8-10 Ayallogue Road, Killeavey, were affected.

NI had confirmed that the source of the problem was linked to the heavy rainfall of the last weekend in July.

It was identified as an old obsolete water main which was contaminated a number of years back and, because of the heavy deluges of water, leaked into the water system.

On Monday night, NI Water said it had monitored the drinking water supplied to the 43 homes in the Carn and Green Road areas and this had shown that the “water has returned to normal”.

A spokesperson said: “NI Water is therefore satisfied that the action taken to flush water out of the system has been effective.

“Monitoring results have been shared with the Public Health Agency and they have advised NI Water that customers can now use water in all the normal ways.”

Customers will be receiving written notification.

“Any customer with a concern in relation to their water supply should phone Waterline on 03457 440088,” added the spokesperson.

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