Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin has identified a notable issue regarding water supplies in certain areas of Cork city, where residents have been receiving discoloured water from their taps for an extended period of time. He has urged Uisce Éireann, the body that recommends customers to avoid drinking tainted water, to provide a resolution timetable to the public.
Martin stated, “I have held discussions with Uisce Éireann concerning this matter. I believe we are faced with an important problem that needs immediate attention. It may not be a quick fix situation, but Irish Water must take significant steps to rectify the situation and provide the public with an expected completion date.”
Martin’s comments followed public outcry for government intervention, prompted by social media footage depicting rusty brown water flowing from taps in homes on the north side of Cork, specifically in Ballyvolane.
Uisce Éireann issued a statement asserting their commitment to addressing the water supply problem in Cork city. They announced that their water quality task force is implementing a plan consisting of intensified sampling, specialised system flushing initiatives, and replacing water mains.
The agency confirmed that continual sampling at consumer locations and across the network is currently underway, as well as operational sampling being conducted at the water treatment facility. They further indicated that consumer tap sampling has been enhanced to safeguard public health.
Uisce Éireann stated, “Our goal is to consistently reassure that once water runs clear, it is safe, and to aid in investigating any discolouration issues. Reports from customers regarding discoloured water contribute in determining our sampling locations throughout the network.”
The water agency claimed to have contacted roughly 235 customers so far, with the objective of providing updates on the ongoing works and obtaining additional information regarding their water-related experiences. They also reassured that customer feedback is always taken into consideration and responded to, as part of their standard procedure.
Finally, Uisce Éireann recommended that in case of water discolouration, residents should allow their taps to run for approximately 20 minutes to revert the water back to its clear colour. Once the water runs clear, it is deemed safe for consumption.
“If customers experience persistent problems, we urge them to get in touch with us directly. This enables us to track and explore the issues promptly. All reports are taken into account and it gives us a more comprehensive perspective of the recurrent issues, thereby, enabling us to focus on the most severely affected regions.”
A resident of Ballyvolane, Mr. John Ó Ríordáin, disclosed to The Journal that water quality has been irregular since 2022 after Irish Water linked their region to the city’s water service. He noticed a change in water colour every fortnight.
“When I was bathing my two children, we noticed the water from the shower turning yellow – initially, I assumed the filter had failed but it was just unable to purify the quantity of that orange substance present in the water.”
Uisce Eireann stated that its ongoing flushing scheme in the Douglas region on the southern side of Cork is almost done, with intended flushing set to begin next week in other regions including Iona Park, Murmont, Merrion Court, and some regions of Gardiner’s Hill on the northern part of the city.
“We use water flushing to move water at high flow rates through pipes, helping clear off accumulated debris and sediment. This process may temporarily lead to instances of discolouration as the sediment is flushed out into the customers’ taps.”
“This project builds on our previous works with the introduction of new hydrants in certain spots to separate the flushing region from the larger network, enhancing sediment removal while reducing inconvenience. Once the flushing phase concludes, we will review if additional water mains works are necessary in these regions, taking into account prioritisation and funding availability. We are also considering other strategies to enhance the quality of water in the system.”
Uisce Eireann encourages anyone with water discoloration issues or difficulties with their water supply to reach them through the customer service helpline at 1800 278 278, available 24/7.