There is no date for the lifting of the Do Not Consume Water notice imposed on the Achill Island water supply scheme earlier this month.

Irish Water is continuing to appeal to both residents and visitors to the island to conserve water, in an effort to ensure an adequate supply.

The water cannot be consumed, even if boiled. But can be used for washing and toilets.

Mayo county council has been providing tankards of water at a large number of sites all over the island, as a result of the crisis.

Ger Greally of Irish Water told Midwest News this afternoon that it’s not possible to say when the Notice can be lifted.

He said the volume of people on Achill and the warm temperatures in the lake feeding into the supply, have both impacted on the supply and until both factors change the Notice will remain in place. Even after that, Irish Water will have to decontaminate the pipes and reservoirs attached to the supply, and that will take some time.

Mr Greally explained that the Achill Public Water Supply is not on any Irish Water priority list for capital investment at present, and that list is in place from now to 2024.

He said, however, that the utility company will be consulting with Mayo County Council about future plans for the Achill supply.