Uisce Éireann shares update on works to address Cork water discoloration issues

Uisce Éireann has acknowledged the frustrations faced by people in Cork who have been dealing with ongoing water issues.

The company said that its dedicated water quality taskforce has made progress in a number of areas over the course of 2024.

Their comments come after the utility’s chief executive said that the ongoing water discolouration issue would not be reduced for another six months by measures currently being taken at the Lee Road plant.

Frustrating

Niall Gleeson, speaking on RTÉ Radio, said that the company knew it was “very frustrating for the people down there”.

Brian O’Leary, Uisce Éireann’s regional operations manager for the south west, said: “We acknowledge the frustration for people seeking a resolution to instances of discolouration in Cork city and want to assure householders and businesses that our dedicated taskforce is undertaking all possible measures to minimise discolouration and address the underlying issues across the city.”

Operational teams from water services have completed intensive flushing in a number of areas across the city during the year, including proactive flushing in the Douglas, Gurranabraher, Murmount/Montenotte, parts of Ballyvolane and The Glen district metered areas.

The company said: “Where such works were carried out, customers have reported an improvement in water quality.”

Uisce Éireann is progressing a €1.6 million additional investment in two new processes at the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant to enhance the manganese removal capability of the plant and minimise the impact the treated water has with the old cast iron watermain network in the city.

Additional investment

They explained: “Whilst all the infrastructure at the plant complies with global and national water treatment standards, the additional investment in new treatment processes are part of a series of initiatives by Uisce Éireann to address water discolouration issues in Cork city.”

Detailed design of both new processes is now complete; the manganese reduction system will be installed by the end of December, and the additional conditioning unit is on schedule for installation and commissioning by mid-2025.

Mains replacement works have been undertaken at a number of areas across the city in 2024, including Edward Walsh Road, Togher, Popham’s Road in Farranaree, Cork City South Quays, Sidney Hill and Dublin Hill, Ballyvolane.

Mr O’Leary added: “We continue to advise customers not to drink discoloured water and to contact us directly with any reports of it.”