Harbour’s 12-year wait for water treatment

Householders living around Cork Harbour — the country’s pharmaceutical heartland — have been waiting 12 years for water treatment facilities to bring their drinking water up to EU and national standards.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), householders in Ringaskiddy, Crosshaven and Carrigaline were informed in 2000 they required improved secondary water treatment.

Twelve years later they are still waiting. It is expected it will be a further two years before the upgrade is completed. Areas in Co Cork in urgent need of secondary water treatment include Youghal, Cobh and Skibbereen.