Irish Water has yet to identify what caused the cryptosporidium contamination at its Lough Mask Water Treatment Plant, which supplies 46,600 people in County Mayo.

A boil water notice has been in place since Friday, after the crypto parasite was detected in a routine sample of treated water, and may not be lifted before early next week.

The company’s regional information specialist, Sean Corrigan, said: “To date Irish Water has not identified any issue that could be directly associated with the failed sample. But investigations are continuing at the plant and throughout the network. Irish Water, Mayo County Council and the HSE [Health Service Executive] are treating this as a priority and at every level these organisations are working to find a speedy resolution to this incident.”

A full and comprehensive audit of the Lough Mask Water Treatment Plant was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday (September 6). Representatives from Irish Water, Mayo County Council and the HSE were present at the audit.

The EPA requested additional information which has been forwarded to it. Irish Water said the EPA’s final report is expected by the end of this week or early next week at the latest.

This along with the results of the comprehensive sampling process will give more clarity on the timelines for lifting the boil water notice, which is a priority for all agencies involved.

Sampling and testing is a part of the entire action plan being undertaken by Irish Water, Mayo County Council and the HSE.

This article first appeared on wwtonline