Uisce Éireann under pressure as Cork councillors seek accountability on water quality concerns

Progressive Alliance says residents deserve clarity, accountability, and action as water discolouration and supply issues persist across the city

They want to know when the problems will be fixed and are demanding better communication with the utility so they can update frustrated residents. File picture

An alliance of Cork City Council councillors has called for senior Uisce Éireann officials to explain why water discolouration and other issues remain unresolved.

They want to know when the problems will be fixed and are demanding better communication with the utility so they can update frustrated residents.

They say the situation, worsened since a new water treatment plant on Lee Road was commissioned three years ago, is causing “suspicion and friction where it doesn't need to be.”

They also want utility officials, who are currently running a flushing, pipe replacement, and mains repair programme to address discolouration, held accountable for poor performance.

The call comes from the Progressive Alliance in City Hall, made up of the Labour Party, the Green Party, and the Social Democrats.

Labour Party Councillor Peter Horgan said: “Residents in my ward have been subjected to significant issues regarding pumphouse failures and vague responses on timelines for repair and responsibility.

“That and the continuing uncertainty on the future of who is responsible for what in our water and wastewater future needs to be communicated once and for all and budget lines adopted for the same.

“Having such a meeting, in public, with senior Uisce Éireann management, is critical to what we have asked for.” 

Green Party Councillor Oliver Moran said: "Residents continue to face issues with discoloured water.

“As a local authority, we need assurance about the delivery of water services for housing.

“The current arrangements, where water services are severed from local government, is creating information gaps, suspicion, and friction where it doesn't need to be.

"What we want is a collaborative approach with Uisce Éireann — assuring residents about the discoloration and other issues.

“We also need them to implement measures to prevent it repeating, and establish communication channels and accountability measures to keep the public informed of progress, as well as any challenges."

Social Democrats Councillor Niamh O’Connor said: “Access to clean and reliable drinking water is one of the most basic amenities people in this city should be able to rely on.

“At the moment there is a lot of uncertainty in relation to water quality and various other issues in the City and we are looking for a public meeting so that people can get some clarity.”