Manganese over the recommended level in Cork city water tests

A number of water samples gathered by Uisce Éireann in January following concerns raised by Cork residents, contained more than the recommended level of manganese.

In a response to a query from The Echo, Uisce Éireann confirmed five of 33 samples were above the 50ug/l drinking water regulations parametric value for manganese.

The company undertakes “enhanced sampling and testing across the city as part of the work of its dedicated Water Quality Taskforce for Cork city”, it said. “A total of 33 samples were taken in the month of January, consisting of regulatory sampling [check samples] and non-regulatory sampling [which are investigative or in response to a specific localised issue].

“Where a non-compliant result was returned — which is a finding of levels above the drinking water regulations parametric value — Uisce Éireann will investigate whether works or bursts in an area may have given rise to the dislodgement of sediment on a short-term basis or whether reactive flushing may resolve an issue. Following investigations and/or remedial works in the area, follow-up samples are undertaken. All regulatory samples for January were fully in compliance with the drinking water regulations,” it said.

“Of the 21 non-regulatory/investigative samples taken, all were within the drinking water regulations parametric value for iron, and five were above the 50ug/l drinking water regulations parametric value for manganese.

“Follow-up testing or investigative works are under way with regard to all areas identified as above 50ug/l for manganese.” Its sampling team “have typically been calling to people’s homes and liaising with customers directly in relation to test results associated with their properties”, it said. 

“We have communicated directly with customers in relation to all five exceedances where the result was above the drinking water regulations parametric value.”