The Cork villages that 'just don’t trust the tap water anymore'

Locals are frustrated that heavy rains invariably mean boil notices, buying drums of water, and taking extra care when bathing children

Whitegate, Co Cork, where locals have been affected by near-constant boil water notices

On Christmas Day last year, when families were busy preparing dinner, the dreaded call arrived at around 1pm — another boil water notice.

For 9,500 people in East Cork, it meant no drinking water, after heavy rainfall compromised the water treatment process.