Tánaiste calls for timeline on tackling discoloured water in Cork city

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said Uisce Éireann needs to get the ongoing problem of discoloured water in Cork city “sorted”.

Mr Martin’s remarks came after a Ballyvolane resident posted footage on social media on Sunday of brownish-orange water pouring from his tap, tagging in the Tánaiste.

John Ó Ríordáin’s post read: “I was showering my kids in this filth.”

Mr Martin, who was speaking to reporters at Collins Barracks, where he had performed the official opening of a multimillion-euro accommodation block, told The Echo he had seen the footage.

The Tánaiste described the quality of the water in the video as “not satisfactory at all”.

Discoloured water has been an issue across the city since Uisce Éireann, then called Irish Water, opened its new water treatment facility on the Lee Road in July 2022.

Complaints

The company received 1,484 complaints of discoloured water on both the north and south sides in 2022, while it received 1,628 such complaints in 2023.

Normally, it said, it would receive approximately 750 such complaints per annum.

Mr Martin said Uisce Éireann needs to give homes and businesses in Cork city a clear timeline as to when the ongoing problem of discoloured water will be sorted.

“I have engaged with Uisce Éireann on this and I think there is a significant issue here that has to be dealt with,” he said.

The Tánaiste was reacting to footage of discoloured water posted online by Ballyvolane resident John Ó Ríordáin.

“A lot of investment has gone into Irish Water and a lot of investment is ongoing in terms of improving infrastructure and the quality of that water is not satisfactory at all,” said Mr Martin.

“Irish Water need to get this sorted and at least give people a timeline and a sense that this will be sorted.”

Fear

Mr Ó Ríordáin told The Echo the issue with discoloured water in his home began in July 2022, at the same time the new Lee Road water treatment plant came online.

“My fear as a parent is that even when the water looks clear, I still don’t know what’s in it, and that really worries me,” he said.

A spokesperson for Uisce Éireann said it acknowledged that water services in the city were not meeting standards that impacted customers expect. It has established a taskforce dedicated to improving water quality, which is implementing a plan that includes increased sampling, targeted flushing programmes, and watermains replacement.

The company said it provided high-quality, clean, safe drinking water to more than 125,000 people in Cork city every day. “Based on 2023 reports to our call centre, it is estimated that discolouration affects just over 1% of customers.”

It said it advised people not to drink discoloured water. “In the event of discolouration, running the tap for several minutes — we recommend up to 20 minutes — will usually restore water to a clear colour. The water is safe to drink once running clear.”