Boil water notice issued for 9,000 people in Cork

A boil water notice has been issued for 9,000 people in Cork this evening.

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Cork County Council, has announced it has issued the boil water notice for customers supplied by Whitegate Public Water Supply, following consultation with the HSE.

It said this notice is being issued as a precautionary measure to protect the health of customers due to increased turbidity in the raw water source as a result of recent heavy rainfall.

“This may have compromised the disinfection process at the water treatment plant which makes the water safe to drink,” it said.

The areas impacted include Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Saleen, Shanagarry, Ballinacura and areas of Cloyne.

Customers can check if their property is included by visiting www.water.ie and entering the property’s Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the area is available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie.

A spokesperson said that drinking water process specialists from Uisce Éireann are working to address the turbidity issues at the treatment plant and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the HSE.

However, the spokesperson said that given the limitations of the existing water treatment plant infrastructure, it could prove extremely difficult to lift the boil water notice during the winter months when raw water turbidity levels tend to spike.

Uisce Éireann’s Operations Lead, Niall O’Riordan, said: “Public health is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health.

“The water quality issues on this supply are well documented. We have always aimed to keep all stakeholders as informed as possible regarding the potential for boil water notices if there was a period of heavy rainfall. This will continue to be the case until the significant upgrade to the water treatment plant has been completed. I want to again acknowledge that we understand the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses in the community, and would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift this Boil Water Notice, in conjunction with the HSE, as quickly and as safely as possible.” 

Uisce Éireann said it is pursuing a permanent solution to address the frequent boil water notices that the people of East Cork have experienced over the last number of years.

This involves a major upgrade of Kilva Water Treatment Plant.

A contractor has been appointed to undertake the design and construction, land has been acquired and planning permission was initially approved by Cork County Council in May 2023. Following the statutory planning process, appeals were subsequently lodged and Uisce Éireann are currently awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála, which may impact delivery timelines.

The proposed upgrade works will include a new coagulation, flocculation and clarification system, a new filtration system and a new disinfection system. Significant upgrades will also be made to other aspects of the Kilva Water Treatment Plant site.