Uisce Éireann 'failing vulnerable people': Cork residents to protest over dirty water
Uisce Éireann said pipe flushing can dislodge sediment in the pipes, which carries through to customers’ taps resulting in increased instances of discoloured water in the short-term. The utility recommends running the tap for up to 20 minutes to restore water to a clear colour, and says the water is safe to drink once running clear.
Anger is mounting again about ongoing discolouration problems in Cork City’s drinking water, which looks set to become a major local election issue.
A protest is due to take place on the city’s northside on Thursday evening with affected residents also being encouraged to sign a petition demanding more action from Uisce Éireann to resolve the issue, which first emerged following the commissioning of the new €40m water treatment plant on the Lee Road in July 2022.
Solidarity Cllr Brian McCarthy accused the company of downplaying the issue over the last few months and suggesting the discolouration problem is not as widespread or as bad as it was before.
“Nothing could be further from the truth — they should go door to door in Gurranbraher or Knocknaheeny some day, ask the people up there what they think,” he said.
“It’s hard to believe that in Ireland in 2024 people are being denied their basic human right to clean, safe water.”
Michelle Gould, a Sinn Féin election candidate in Cork City north west, launched an online petition demanding action after hearing from one constituent with an eye condition who can’t tell if his tap water is running clear.
Craig Whittington, from Gurranabraher, has diabetic retinopathy which has left him blind in his left eye and with partial vision in his right eye, meaning he can’t distinguish between colours.
“How can he tell the difference if the water is clear, clean and safe or not?” Ms Gould said. “This just highlights how Uisce Éireann are failing vulnerable people.
“Dirty, discoloured water is something that has been plaguing our community for over 18 months now. It is disgraceful in this day and age that we do not have access to clean, safe and clear drinking water."
Uisce Éireann said its dedicated water quality taskforce is continuing its work to resolve the problem, with increased sampling, customer contact, targeted flushing programmes and watermains replacement.
It said it has increased its sampling efforts and its proactive monitoring at customers’ taps to provide reassurance that the water is compliant once running clear. The utility said it has contacted about 235 customers who have previously raised concerns about discoloured water.
It said it is continuing to upgrade its network and has completed targeted pipe flushing in the Douglas area, with flushing in the Iona Park, Murmount, Merrion Court and Gardiner’s Hill area due to start next week.
Plans are also being progressed for flushing in the Blarney Street, Cathedral Road, Gurranabraher and surrounding areas. This can dislodge sediment in the pipes, which carries through to customers’ taps resulting in increased instances of discoloured water in the short-term.
Uisce Éireann recommends running the tap for up to 20 minutes to restore water to a clear colour, and says the water is safe to drink once running clear.
Meanwhile, it said watermains replacement works have been completed on Edward Walsh Road and are nearing completion on Popham’s Road, with network improvement works ongoing on the South Quays, and further network replacement works planned for Sydney Park and Dublin Hill.
