EPA inspectors find failings at Youghal water treatment plant

Environmental Protection Agency says East Cork water plant did not have suitable alarms or shutdown mechanisms to prevent inadequately-treated water from entering the public supply

The Youghal Regional Public Water Supply treatment plant supplies a population of over more than 8,000 people with water.

An inspection of a water treatment plant in Co Cork has raised concerns after the facility failed to meet several criteria for providing clean drinking water to the public.

Inspectors from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the Youghal plant, which is managed by Uisce Éireann (Irish Water), did not have suitable alarms installed. These alarms are used to alert operators to deteriorating water quality or in the event of a critical failure in the treatment process.