Why is our tap water making us sick. Can't even bath my kids in it!

armabelle · 10-04-2017 7:26am #1

Hi There

I posted a question regarding our drinking water in Kilminchy a few months ago. It was making us feel ill since we moved into this house last year. You sent a person to collect water samples a while back and I still have not heard any results from the test yet our water continues to be a problem. Indeed the problem has gotten worse.

Until just recently, my wife developed rashes on her hands for 3 months and we thought it was some kind of disease but when we went away on holiday within 3 days it was gone. The same rash began appearing on my 9 month old babies foot and after a month of it not going away we decided to try remove tap water from our lives and bath him in bottled water for a few days as well as have my wife only wash hands in bottled water. The rash has completely gone and so has the one on my wifes hands ever since she washes her hands in the sink where we put the bottle of water in the morning so we can all wash our hands.

Our family is finally free of health problems since we started to bath with and drink only bottled water. But for how long must we keep doing this? Living in western europe in a country like Ireland, we cannot believe the measures we have had to take to keep our family healthy. This must stop. I am going to send a copy of this message to the radio and see if they can help do something about this too because it cannot go on.

FYI: Our neighbour also has a similar problem and washes her hands in bottled water. She had the same rash as my little baby boy did.

Also, our GP doctor in the area says precisely the following: "There is a problem with the water in Kilminchy"

ItsShane · 10-04-2017 7:33am

If I were you, I'd get on to one of the local TD's in Portlaoise and have a talk with them about the situation. Maybe they can put a bit of pressure on the issue.
Just moved out of Portlaoise last year and never had an issue, other than the disgusting levels of lime.

armabelle · 10-04-2017 7:48am

ItsShane wrote: »

If I were you, I'd get one to one of the local TD's in Portlaoise and have a talk with them about the situation. Maybe they can put a bit of pressure on the issue.
Just moved out of Portlaoise last year and never had an issue, other than the disgusting levels of lime.

Hi Shane! I will do thank you!

Irish Water: Alex · 10-04-2017 8:40am

Hi armabelle,

Thanks for your message and we're sorry to read that you're still experiencing this.

For data protection reasons, a member of our team will respond to you via PM.

Kind regards,
Alex

armabelle · 11-04-2017 10:05am

Thanks for getting back to me Alex. I had an Irish water representative come by in January after my first complaint to come take water samples. Have not heard from you or them. What is the situation there?

Irish Water: Alex · 11-04-2017 10:23am

Hi armabelle,

Thanks for your patience on this matter.

We are currently awaiting an update from the relevant department in relation to this. As soon as we receive an update, a member of our team will respond to you via PM.

Thanks,
Alex

armabelle · 12-04-2017 6:19pm

Irish Water: Alex wrote: »

Hi armabelle,

Thanks for your patience on this matter.

We are currently awaiting an update from the relevant department in relation to this. As soon as we receive an update, a member of our team will respond to you via PM.

Thanks,
Alex

Hi Alex. Thanks and I hope it is soon because we are in a crisis here

Skatedude · 12-04-2017 6:39pm

Have you checked your tanks? there may be an issue there.
Can you confirm where your supply is going to in the house. It should just be the kitchen sink thats fed from the mains. All the rest of the house would normally be fed from the tanks

armabelle · 18-04-2017 6:38pm

Skatedude wrote: »

Have you checked your tanks? there may be an issue there.
Can you confirm where your supply is going to in the house. It should just be the kitchen sink thats fed from the mains. All the rest of the house would normally be fed from the tanks

What kind of an issue?

All the taps in the house get water from the softner except the small thin tap by the sink in the kitchen. That small tap is the only hard water tap in the house

colm_mcm · 18-04-2017 6:45pm

I wonder if the softener is causing the issues? It's not unheard of.

TheChizler · 18-04-2017 7:06pm

Might be worth getting a few samples independently tested. Get them from the meter, kitchen sink and maybe the bath.

armabelle · 18-04-2017 8:17pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I wonder if the softener is causing the issues? It's not unheard of.

We did consider it. The soft ner could be causing the skin rashes but that still doesn't resolve why the hard water tap makes us all sick.

armabelle · 18-04-2017 8:18pm

TheChizler wrote: »

Might be worth getting a few samples independently tested. Get them from the meter, kitchen sink and maybe the bath.

How? Can this be done privately?

TheChizler · 18-04-2017 8:30pm

armabelle wrote: »

How? Can this be done privately?

This link is for wells but those companies should test anything.

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/labcontacts.html

Google "water testing ireland" for more.

Will probably cost €60- €120 but you can't put a price on health.

listermint · 18-04-2017 8:32pm

http://www.cls.ie/water-testing

armabelle · 19-04-2017 8:36am

TheChizler wrote: »

armabelle wrote: »

How? Can this be done privately?

This link is for wells but those companies should test anything.

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/labcontacts.html

Google "water testing ireland" for more.

Will probably cost €60- €120 but you can't put a price on health.

Thank you! I have been waiting for Irish water to come back with tests since January and still nothing so I am getting pretty desperate. 120 euro is small change if it means something can be done to resolve the situation. We have already thrown away more money than that on bottled water to bath our children (we use 2 X 5 litre bottles for each of them and we also use one during the day to wash our hands - crazy!).

armabelle · 19-04-2017 11:10am

colm_mcm wrote: »

I wonder if the softener is causing the issues? It's not unheard of.

When you say softner do you mean the actual softener or the salt we put inside the brine tank?

armabelle · 19-04-2017 11:11am

ItsShane wrote: »

If I were you, I'd get on to one of the local TD's in Portlaoise and have a talk with them about the situation. Maybe they can put a bit of pressure on the issue.
Just moved out of Portlaoise last year and never had an issue, other than the disgusting levels of lime.

Thanks again for this. They got back to me so they are going to help us out. I didn't even know what a TD was before you mentioned

regi3457 · 19-04-2017 12:09pm

Have you tried only using the hard water not the soft water and see if there is a difference?

armabelle · 19-04-2017 12:33pm

regi3457 wrote: »

Have you tried only using the hard water not the soft water and see if there is a difference?

Thanks for your suggestion. In our house, there is only one tap that dispenses water from the mains (this is the sample that was collected in January). We only ingest that water and it makes us all sick for 2 - 3 days. Even if we use the water in soups and EVEN if we filter the water using a Brita water filter. The soft water on the other hand is what causes my family rashes on their bodies because we used it for baths up until 2 to 3 weeks ago. My little 10 month old boy is the worse affected but lucky he is ok now since we bath him in bottled water. So the answer to your question is, both the hard water and softened water in our home is toxic. I am assuming since the water is toxic from the mains it is the same "toxin" that causes the rashes.

jimmycrackcorm · 19-04-2017 12:45pm

Are you living in a house in an estate and the only one affected by this? If so then chances are you might need to move house.

armabelle · 19-04-2017 7:08pm

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

Are you living in a house in an estate and the only one affected by this? If so then chances are you might need to move house.

Yes in an estate but as in my OP, my neighbor has same problem. She is the one that gave us the idea to start bathing and washing with bottled water.

regi3457 · 21-04-2017 8:01am

armabelle wrote: »

regi3457 wrote: »

Have you tried only using the hard water not the soft water and see if there is a difference?

Thanks for your suggestion. In our house, there is only one tap that dispenses water from the mains (this is the sample that was collected in January). We only ingest that water and it makes us all sick for 2 - 3 days. Even if we use the water in soups and EVEN if we filter the water using a Brita water filter. The soft water on the other hand is what causes my family rashes on their bodies because we used it for baths up until 2 to 3 weeks ago. My little 10 month old boy is the worse affected but lucky he is ok now since we bath him in bottled water. So the answer to your question is, both the hard water and softened water in our home is toxic. I am assuming since the water is toxic from the mains it is the same "toxin" that causes the rashes.

Then it probably is the water because I doubt that you would have two such rare issues in one house. Water softner allergies are very rare from what i have heard. I would say there is something wrong with the plumbing in your estate. Hard water shouldn't make you ill just because it is hard. There is probably something else wrong over there. Problem is that these are expensive problems, and ones nobody really wants to take responsiblity for so I would get a private test done from an impartial company.

armabelle · 24-04-2017 9:16pm

regi3457 wrote: »

armabelle wrote: »

regi3457 wrote: »

Have you tried only using the hard water not the soft water and see if there is a difference?

Thanks for your suggestion. In our house, there is only one tap that dispenses water from the mains (this is the sample that was collected in January). We only ingest that water and it makes us all sick for 2 - 3 days. Even if we use the water in soups and EVEN if we filter the water using a Brita water filter. The soft water on the other hand is what causes my family rashes on their bodies because we used it for baths up until 2 to 3 weeks ago. My little 10 month old boy is the worse affected but lucky he is ok now since we bath him in bottled water. So the answer to your question is, both the hard water and softened water in our home is toxic. I am assuming since the water is toxic from the mains it is the same "toxin" that causes the rashes.

Then it probably is the water because I doubt that you would have two such rare issues in one house. Water softner allergies are very rare from what i have heard. I would say there is something wrong with the plumbing in your estate. Hard water shouldn't make you ill just because it is hard. There is probably something else wrong over there. Problem is that these are expensive problems, and ones nobody really wants to take responsiblity for so I would get a private test done from an impartial company.

Yes my thoughts exactly. Well I hope that some results come our way soon else we are going to get private tests done

armabelle · 01-05-2017 9:53am

Irish Water: Alex wrote: »

Hi armabelle,

Thanks for your message and we're sorry to read that you're still experiencing this.

For data protection reasons, a member of our team will respond to you via PM.

Kind regards,
Alex

Hi Alex

still no reply from anyone, is anyone over there actually helping us with this matter?

Irish Water: Mairead · 01-05-2017 11:39am

Hi Armabelle,

armabelle wrote: »

Irish Water: Alex wrote: »

Hi armabelle,

Thanks for your message and we're sorry to read that you're still experiencing this.

For data protection reasons, a member of our team will respond to you via PM.

Kind regards,
Alex

Hi Alex

still no reply from anyone, is anyone over there actually helping us with this matter?

We're sorry to hear this and a member of our team will follow up and respond to you via PM.

Thanks,
Mairead

armabelle · 04-05-2017 6:38am

Hi, still no reply from anyone.

Irish Water: Daniel · 04-05-2017 8:46am

Hi,

Apologies for the ongoing inconvenience.

Due to data protection reasons, I have sent you a PM to discuss.

Thanks,
Daniel

Irish Water: Daniel · 04-05-2017 11:29am

Hi Armabelle,

Apologies for the delay in response.

We have received the results of your water tests and I can confirm that your supply is fully compliant with European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations.

If you like, I will be happy to forward the full report via PM.

Thanks,

Daniel

armabelle · 04-05-2017 3:30pm

Irish Water: Daniel wrote: »

Hi Armabelle,

Apologies for the delay in response.

We have received the results of your water tests and I can confirm that your supply is fully compliant with European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations.

If you like, I will be happy to forward the full report via PM.

Thanks,

Daniel

Hi Daniel. Thank you. May I ask why the rep took a sample of water that was filtered? Carbon filters remove chlorine from water yet the rep still took that filtered sample for analysis.

armabelle · 04-05-2017 3:54pm

Irish Water: Daniel wrote: »

Hi Armabelle,

Apologies for the delay in response.

We have received the results of your water tests and I can confirm that your supply is fully compliant with European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations.

If you like, I will be happy to forward the full report via PM.

Thanks,

Daniel

Also, yes please can you send me the test so I can see it. thanks

Irish Water: Mairead · 05-05-2017 4:31pm

Hi armabelle,

armabelle wrote: »

Hi Daniel. Thank you. May I ask why the rep took a sample of water that was filtered? Carbon filters remove chlorine from water yet the rep still took that filtered sample for analysis.

Also, yes please can you send me the test so I can see it. thanks

Water samples are taken from the main source of drinking water for the premises (which is typically the cold water tap at the kitchen sink) in accordance with the requirements of the EU Drinking Water Regulations 2014 legislation.

Where a point of use filter is encountered this is noted by the sampler, recording this information so that the results of the sample are then interpreted accordingly.

We hope that helps and a member of our team has contacted you by PM.

Thanks,
Mairead

armabelle · 06-05-2017 7:41am

The report won't be necessary as we are moving soon. Thanks.

armabelle · 18-05-2017 2:33pm

Hi, we are being forced to move out from 13 heathfield in portlaoise because of the water supply problem but before we do we have ordered our own water sample tests and I was wondering if you could let me know who in the Kilminchy area is responsible for the safe supply of water to our home? Would this be the council?

thank you

Irish Water: Amy A · 18-05-2017 3:47pm

Hi armabelle,

Thanks for contacting us.

Irish Water are responsible for providing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland. We work in partnership with Local Authorities across the country to ensure that water quality is tested on a regular basis.

Please see here for more details on how water is treated.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Amy

armabelle · 18-05-2017 7:02pm

Irish Water: Amy wrote: »

Hi armabelle,

Thanks for contacting us.

Irish Water are responsible for providing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland. We work in partnership with Local Authorities across the country to ensure that water quality is tested on a regular basis.

Please see here for more details on how water is treated.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Amy

Thanks for your reply, in this paragraph I pulled from the link you shared with me is says:

Storage: After undergoing the treatment process, the treated drinking water is then pumped to a storage reservoir, which is usually located on high ground. From here, the water flows by gravity into the distribution network. The treated drinking water flows through various mains pipes in the distribution network before finally passing through a service pipe and into your home.

Might I ask you, where is the storage reservoir located that provides water to Heathfields in Kilminchy?

Irish Water: Amy A · 19-05-2017 9:28am

Hi armabelle,

armabelle wrote: »

Might I ask you, where is the storage reservoir located that provides water to Heathfields in Kilminchy?

Thanks for your query.

We're currently looking into this on your behalf, and will update you as soon as possible.

Kind regards,
Amy

Irish Water: Mairead · 25-05-2017 2:43pm

Hi armabelle,

armabelle wrote: »

Might I ask you, where is the storage reservoir located that provides water to Heathfields in Kilminchy?

Apologies for the delay in response.

We have followed up on this and have been advised that the water supplied to Heathfields in Kilminchy comes from the main Portlaoise Town Reservoir, which is located at the Kilminchy Water Treatment plan.

Thanks,
Mairead

Why is our tap water making us sick. Can't even bath my kids in it!

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