Preparing for a water supply problem or boil water notice
What matters most in a water supply problem or boil water notice, what official guidance in Ireland says, and long-life food that suits it.
In a water supply problem or boil water notice, the things that matter most are drinking water, water for pets, hand sanitiser, wet wipes. Keep bottled water in a cool, dark place and only store it until the date on the bottle.1
What matters most
- Drinking water Essential
3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount. - Water for pets Essential
An estimate based on each pet's species and size. - Hand sanitiser
For when running water isn't available. - Wet wipes
Useful for cleaning when water is limited. - Toilet roll and bathroom products
Toilet roll, bin bags and other bathroom basics. - Personal hygiene supplies
Toothpaste, soap, period products and anything else your household uses daily.
What official guidance in Ireland says
- Keep bottled water in a cool, dark place and only store it until the date on the bottle.1
- Plan for 2 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day.2
- Sign up for Uisce Éireann's free text alerts about outages and when supply will be back.2
- Don't leave taps running, and fix drips indoors and outdoors.2
- Boil the water hard for 1 minute, let it cool, and keep it somewhere cool such as the fridge.3
- Throw out existing ice cubes, and make new ice only from boiled, cooled water.3
- If a health condition means you need safe water, register with Uisce Éireann as a vulnerable customer so they contact you directly.3
Stay safe
Water and food for a few days
For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:
| 3 days | |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | 18 L |
| Food energy | 13,500 calories |
Long-life food that suits a water supply problem or boil water notice
Each of these keeps without a fridge:
- Tinned chilli
- Tinned soup
- Baked beans
- Microwave rice pouch
- Tinned tuna
- Crackers
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Cereal bars
- Tinned fruit
Allergies, dietary needs and children
Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.
| Food | Typical allergens | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned soup | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Baked beans | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Tinned tuna | fish | check the label |
| Crackers | cereals containing gluten | vegan |
| Peanut butter | peanuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Dried fruit and nuts | tree nuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned fruit | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan, gluten free |
Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.
- Irish (EU) law names 14 allergens: gluten cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs.4
- On packaged food, allergens must stand out in the ingredient list, for example through font, style or background colour.5
- For unpackaged food, allergen information must be in writing and easy to find before you buy.4
- 'May contain' warnings are optional, used only where cross-contamination can't be ruled out, and can't replace good manufacturing practice.5
Young children
Questions
What do I need for a water supply problem or boil water notice?
Drinking water, Water for pets, Hand sanitiser, Wet wipes, Toilet roll and bathroom products, Personal hygiene supplies.
How do I stay safe in a water supply problem or boil water notice?
Under a Boil Water Notice, don't drink water straight from either the cold or the hot tap.
Sources
- Be Emergency Ready booklet (accessible version), Department of Defence, Office of Emergency Planning (Government of Ireland). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Loss of utilities (Be Emergency Ready), Government of Ireland (Office of Emergency Planning). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Boil Water Notice, Uisce Éireann. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Food Allergens - Advice for Consumers, Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Labelling - Allergens, Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Food choking risks for babies and children, Health Service Executive. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Foods to avoid during weaning, Health Service Executive. Checked 28 October 2026.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
