Concerns over testing of Cork's fire hydrants under Uisce Éireann’s control

A Cork city councillor has expressed concern that fire hydrants are not being tested ever since responsibility for them was passed over from the council to Uisce Éireann.

Independent Ireland’s Noel O’Flynn said he was told by the council that it no longer has any responsibility for the hydrants, and that testing on their functionality and water pressure levels is now under the remit of Uisce Éireann.

A spokesperson for Uisce Éireann told Mr O’Flynn that when reported, operational issues such as leaking hydrants are actioned by water services crews on a priority basis.

They said: 

“Since full responsibility for public water and wastewater services transferred from the 31 local authorities, given the scale of this transition, the formalisation of certain programmes is ongoing, including the inspection and maintenance plan for fire hydrants.”

Mr O’Flynn said that the rollout of a national inspection programme for fire hydrants is welcome, but no timeline was provided, adding: “Given the critical nature of this issue, the information provided was insufficient. It offered broad platitudes rather than the clear, Cork-specific data we need.”

He said there are approximately 5,500 fire hydrants within the original Cork city boundary, but since the expansion of the city limits in 2019, that number has increased substantially. He is working to obtain the updated figure for the entire city area.

“We simply cannot afford a scenario where Cork City Fire Brigade responds to an emergency and encounters an inoperable hydrant. That risk is unacceptable,” 

he said.

His son and TD for the area, Ken O’Flynn, plans to raise this matter in the Dáil.

An Uisce Éireann spokesperson told The Echo: “Uisce Éireann works with Cork City Council and the fire department to address any issues observed with fire hydrants.

“Where required, reported operational issues such as leaking hydrants are actioned by water services crews on a priority basis, as part of day-to-day operations and regular scheduling of works. In the event of asset-related issues, investigations are undertaken, and a longer-term solution may be required.”