East Cork hit with boil water notice following torrential rain brought by Storm Babet

The boil water notice was issued on Wednesday as a 'precautionary measure' for those supplied by the Whitegate Public Water Supply following consultation with the HSE. Picture: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

About 9,000 people in East Cork have affected by a boil water notice issued by Uisce Éireann due to an "increased turbidity in the raw water source" following recent heavy rainfall. 

Parts of Cork City and county saw severe flooding due to torrential rain brought by Storm Babet. Parts of the city, including Blackpool, Midleton and Glanmire have been deemed "impassable". 

Some local Met Éireann weather stations in Cork have recorded 115mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours. 

The boil water notice was issued on Wednesday as a "precautionary measure" for those supplied by the Whitegate Public Water Supply following consultation with the HSE. 

The areas impacted by the notice include Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Saleen Shanagarry, Ballinacura and areas of Cloyne.

In a statement Uisce Éireann said the increased turbidity in the raw water source which was caused by heavy rainfall may have "compromised the disinfection process at the water treatment plant, which makes the water safe to drink". 

"Drinking water process specialists from Uisce Éireann are working to address the turbidity issues at the treatment plant and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the HSE," the statement said. 

"However, given the limitations of the existing water treatment plant infrastructure, it could prove extremely difficult to lift the boil water notice during the winter months when raw water turbidity levels tend to spike."

Uisce Éireann has said it is looking to pursue a "permanent solution" to address the frequent boil water notices the people of East Cork have endured over the past number of years. 

"This involves a major upgrade of Kilva Water Treatment Plant. A contractor has been appointed to undertake the design and construction, land has been acquired and planning permission was initially approved by Cork County Council in May 2023," it said. 

"Following the statutory planning process, appeals were subsequently lodged and Uisce Éireann are currently awaiting a decision from An Bord Pleanála, which may impact delivery timelines." 

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