Lift boil-water notice for mid-Cork town soon and safely, says TD

A Cork TD has called on Uisce Éireann to lift the latest boil-water notice for Macroom as quickly and as safely as possible.

Cork North West Fianna Fáil TD Aindrias Moynihan said he has spoken to Uisce Éireann in recent days.

But the water utility has yet to provide a definitive timeline for when this particular boil-water notice for the Macroom area will be lifted.

Last Friday, another boil-water notice was issued for the Macroom area by Uisce Éireann, the latest in a series going back more than two years for the mid-Cork town.

The notice was issued as a result of operational issues at the Macroom water treatment plant.

After consulting with the Health Service Executive, Uisce Éireann stated that it issued the boil-water notice to protect the health of the approximately 4,697 customers supplied by the town’s public water supply.

Annoyance

Mr Moynihan told The Echo that he fully understands the annoyance of residents in Macroom and surrounding areas who are impacted by this latest in a series of boil-water notices.

“The cost and the frustration, that must be driven home to Uisce Éireann,” Mr Moynihan said.

“My main business, when I was talking to Uisce Éireann, was to outline to them the frustration of locals, that they are back in again under another boil-water notice.

“Also, that there is a cost to locals of having to boil water, and the hassle that is associated with it.

“I was pointing out to them, as well, that they need to get whatever adjustments that are to be done on the plant, to get them done as quickly as possible to get it to pass.”

Upgrade

In April of this year, a €6.5m upgrade of the Macroom water treatment plant commenced. This project aims to address the risks to water quality, and the frequent boil-water notices the people of Macroom have experienced over the last number of years.

The works are being carried out by Glanua on behalf of Uisce Éireann and are expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

Mr Moynihan added: “Ultimately, the new plant is going to be the solution, and the construction is advancing on that new plant. But, in the short term, when I spoke to Uisce Éireann, it was [about] pointing out the frustration of locals and the need to get the current plant fully functioning again as quickly as possible, to get out of this boil-water notice.”