‘Frustrated’ protesters call for improvement to water quality in Cork

A group of up to 40 protestors attended a gathering in Cork city this evening, calling for improved water conditions following “concerning” levels of Manganese found in drinking water.

The protest, organised by the Mount Farran Residents’ Organisation, took place at 6.30pm, and saw locals come together to display varying samples of discoloured, sediment-filled water.

The event was attended by “frustrated” locals, alongside a number of public officials including Green Party Cork north central councillor, Oliver Moran, and Socialist Party Cork north west councillor, Brian McCarthy.

Speaking to The Echo, Elaine Eager, one of the residents of Mount Farran, said that the aim of the meeting was to have the voices of locals heard, as they feel “completely ignored” by Uisce Éireann, despite several complaints made to the public body.

“We've lost count of how many reference numbers we have from logging complaints with their service, and we get the same stock answers all the time,” said Ms Eager.

“We had a table [at the meeting] and everybody brought samples of varying shades of brown, orange and yellow [water].

"We have also found that when you leave your sample, as the days go on, there is more and more sediment gathering at the end of the bottle [and] if you’re drinking that, that sediment is going into your body.

“It's unbelievable - and the problem with manganese is you can't boil the water to make it safe, all it does is it concentrates the manganese levels because it's a mineral,” she added.

“This isn’t about money, this is about health and safety, and it's about having a basic human right to safe, clean water.

“We have no confidence in Uisce Éireann at all, [and] we're going to keep pushing and lobbying as hard as we can because something has to change.” 

Mr Moran said: "From speaking to residents groups across the area, it feels like we've entered a new phase of the issue.

“People have been very patient until now, but they're using language like intolerable and inexcusable to describe the situation.

"It's becoming clear that at no time over the past two years have Uisce Éireann actually met with residents directly to answer for the situation.” 

Mr McCarthy added: “I've been working on this issue for well over a year, and their water is the worst I've seen - some of it was actually jet black.

“Uisce Éireann have said themselves that this issue will not be resolved fully until all the old cast iron pipes are replaced [and] that will cost €500 million.

“Any government that does not find that €500 million will suffer serious consequences in Cork, their reputation and their credibility will be absolutely shot to pieces.” 

No representatives from Uisce Éireann were present at the meeting.