Two water supplies in Cork removed from EPA 'at risk' list following works  

Uisce Éireann has removed two water supplies in Cork from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL).

The Remedial Action List identifies drinking water supplies that are at risk of failing to consistently supply safe, clean drinking water.

The schemes, located in Fermoy and Killavullen, are among eight from across the country to be taken off the list. 

Uisce Éireann said that in all these cases, targeted investment by Uisce Éireann has led to significant improvements in the security and quality of local water supplies that will benefit local homes and businesses now and for many years to come.

Uisce Éireann recently completed upgrade works at Coolrue Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Fermoy which now benefits 7,381 customers. 

This investment included an upgrade of the disinfection system to include UV treatment. In addition, an upgrade was completed of the pumping station to ensure greater efficiency while providing a more reliable and sustainable water supply.

Investment at the Killavullen Water Treatment Plant now benefits 791 customers and involved an essential upgrade to the disinfection system on site and the construction of a new temporary treated water reservoir. 

While this supply has been removed from the ‘at risk’ list the longer-term plan to ensure a resilient supply for Killavullen from the Mallow Water Treatment Plant is currently underway.

The updated RAL list, which identifies water supplies that require upgrades, now contains 50 water supply zones across Ireland, eight of which are in Cork.

For each of the schemes remaining on the RAL, a detailed plan of action is being prepared to implement all necessary improvement measures.

The eight schemes in Cork that remain on the RAL, which serve more than 52,000 customers, are Mitchelstown North, which is proposed for completion this month; Ballyclough and Mount North, which is proposed for completion in December; Glashaboy, which is proposed for completion in June 2025; Macroom, which is proposed for completion in June 2026; Whitegate Regional, which is proposed for completion in June 2027; Newmarket, which is proposed for completion in December 2027; Castletownbere, which is proposed for completion in March 2029; and Whiddy Island, which a proposed completion date is yet to be submitted by Uisce Éireann.

Drinking water compliance senior manager at Uisce Éireann, Dr Patrick O’Sullivan, said: “We’re delighted to confirm over 25,000 more people have been removed from the Remedial Action List.

“Ireland has 702 water treatment plants, producing 1.7bn litres of drinking water every day, with the vast majority of this water — 99.7% —fully compliant with microbiological and chemical standards, and is safe to drink.

“We know that some of our water treatment plants need additional investment, and we are working hard to bring all these plants fully up to modern standards.

“This can be a challenge in some areas due to the age of the infrastructure and decades of under-investment.

“However, we are making excellent progress and continuing to improve overall drinking water standards for all our customers nationwide.”

The EPA’s Remedial Action List can be viewed by following the link at www.epa.ie.