Uisce Éireann to begin 'extensive flushing plan' to combat water discolouration work on Cork's northside

UISCE ÉIREANN is tomorrow set to commence what it has described as an “extensive flushing plan” for the northside of the city.

It said it will undertake two targeted programmes for intensive flushing works in the Montenotte and Gurranabraher areas as part of its network improvement plan to address water discolouration issues.

The Montenotte locations extend from Cahergal Park and Lawn to Traction Avenue and Woodlands and from Iona Park to Gardiners Hill, including the various locations within such as Merrion Court, Murmont, St Joseph’s Drive, and The Orchards. The Gurranabraher locations extend from St Mary’s Avenue off Cathedral Rd to Glen Ryan Rd to Winter’s Hill, Blarney St, Sunday’s Well Avenue, Strawberry Hill, The Grove, Monastery Green, St Joseph’s Avenue, Mount Nebo Avenue, Friar Avenue, Boyce’s St, Beech Tree Avenue to Clover Avenue and adjoining areas.

Uisce Éireann water operations lead Sean Lynch said the works will mark the start of an “extensive flushing plan” for the northside of the city that will be undertaken over the coming weeks.

“Our goal is to minimise the instances of discolouration for the people of Cork city in targeted areas across Cork city, where reports of discolouration have been received. Areas are prioritised based on customer feedback and reports directly to our customer care team.

“It is anticipated that this programme of works will take three to four weeks,” he added.

The programme, Uisce Éireann said, will involve isolating and flushing small sections of the water network to clear any build-up of sediment from the old cast iron pipes.

Isolating the flushing area from the larger network in this manner, it said, “minimises disruption and improves sediment removal”.

The company added that clearing the pipes can result in sediment carrying through to customers’ taps resulting in increased instances of discoloured water in the short term.

Works will be carried out at night-time during off-peak usage hours, typically starting after 8pm.

Each area is broken down into zones for night-time works and as Uisce Éireann progresses flushing through these areas a “review of the programme’s operational effectiveness will be undertaken before proceeding to the next zone”.

Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline is on 1800 278 278. See water.ie/help/water-quality/discoloured-water