The notice was issued as a precautionary measure to protect the health of approximately 9,000 customers due to increased turbidity in the raw water source as a result of heavy rainfall. This could compromise the disinfection process at the water treatment plant which makes the water safe to drink.
Areas impacted include Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Saleen, Shanagarry, Ballinacura and areas of Cloyne. Customers can check if their property is included by visiting www.water.ie and entering the property's Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.
A spokesperson from Uisce Éireann said: "It is proving extremely difficult to lift the boil water notice given the limitations of the existing water treatment plant and pump station. In February 2024, An Bord Pleanála upheld planning permission for a multi-million euro investment to upgrade Kilva Water Treatment Plant. Now that planning is secured, we are working hard to finalise the required contractual agreements and budgetary approvals, to ensure we are ready to begin construction on this vital project in the second half of this year. The construction phase of the project is expected to take less than two years.
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"The proposed new state-of-the-art treatment plant will address the frequent Boil Water Notices that the people of East Cork have experienced over the last number of years. This involves a major upgrade of the water treatment plant that will ensure a safe, reliable drinking water supply to customers. The proposed works will include decommissioning of the old water treatment plant and building a new water treatment plant that will be able to treat approximately 6 million litres of water per day. The new plant will contain a new coagulation, flocculation and clarification system, a new filtration system and a new disinfection system.
"We recognise the significant inconvenience to impacted customers. Public health remains the number one priority of Uisce Éireann. Our drinking water standards, as per EU Drinking Water regulations, are strict and include wide safety margins. Where risks to water quality are identified through Uisce Éireann’s enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the HSE are consulted, and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health."
