Boil water notice for Whitegate supply issued last October to remain in place

Uisce Éireann has said the boil water notice issued for the Whitegate public water supply in mid-October of last year remains in place.

However, the company has said it is committed to delivering a new water treatment plant for the area within “the shortest possible timeframe.” 

The boil water notice was issued as a precautionary measure to protect the health of around 9,000 customers in areas including Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Saleen, Shanagarry, Ballinacura and parts of Cloyne due to increased turbidity in the raw water source as a result of heavy rainfall.

This in turn has the potential to compromise the disinfection process at the existing water treatment plant which makes the water safe to consume.

In a statement Uisce Éireann said their water process specialists are working in consultation with the HSE to address the turbidity issues at the treatment plant and lift the notice “as quickly and as safely as possible.” 

“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 attached and available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie,” said the statement.

Uisce Éireann’s operations lead, Niall O’Riordan, said the company regretted the inconvenience caused to customers impacted by the boil water notice, saying “public health is always our priority”.

Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann has said they are working to finalise contractual agreements and budgetary approvals for a new water treatment facility that will serve 10,000 customers in Whitegate and surrounding areas.

Planning permission was initially granted by Cork County Council in May of last year for the facility, which the company said would finally put an end to the frequent boil water notices issued for the area.

Following the lodging of submissions in relation to the plant, An Bord Pleanála has upheld the council’s decision, allowing the project to move forward.

Uisce Éireann said it hoped to start construction on the new plant, which will take in the region of 22 months to complete, in the second half of this year.

“We are delighted to be progressing with the long-term plans for Whitegate and we want to assure the people of Whitegate that we are committed to delivering this new treatment plant in the shortest possible timeframe,” said Mr O’Riordan.

“We look forward to working with our colleagues in Cork County Council and the local community on delivering this vital project in the years to come,” he added.