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3 Jun
One of the longest-running boil notice issues to hit a Cork Community in recent years has just been lifted - bringing long-awaited relief to over 9,000 homes in East Cork.
However, Irish Water has warned that it's possible the issue could return in the coming weeks as major remedial works are carried out.
CorkBeo reported earlier this week on the plight of one family in Cloyne who have had to bring in bottled water from outside their locality since Christmas Day.
They were amongst the thousands of households affected by the issues with the Whitegate Public Water supply as it went into its sixth month. CorkBeo contacted Irish Water on Tuesday and we were told that urgent steps were being taken.
This morning, a spokesperson confirmed that they wanted to "notify customers on the Whitegate Public Water Supply that following the completion of remedial measures and the receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, the boil water notice issued on 25 December 2021 is now lifted with immediate effect."
"This decision follows consultation undertaken with the Health Service Executive (HSE)."
Locals told Corkbeo of their relief and said that a lot of thanks was due to Councillor Danielle Twomey for doing a "tremendous job" for fighting their corner.
The water company said the notice was originally issued as a precaution due to "elevated turbidity" (contaminants such as dirt and mud) in the water supply which impacted the disinfection process.
Irish Water operation and compliance experts worked with colleagues in Cork County Council to carry out the necessary works to enable the notice to be lifted as quickly as possible.
All consumers on the Whitegate Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.
Water Operations Lead for Irish Water, Pat Briton said: “Irish Water and Cork County Council wish to thank everyone for their patience, co-operation and assistance during this boil water notice and we greatly regret any inconvenience caused to homes and businesses in the community.
"There have been many setbacks over the last six months which have prevented us from being able to lift the notice and we know this has been frustrating for everyone in the Whitegate area.
“Whilst we have been able to lift the boil water notice today, there is the possibility that we may have to re-issue the notice in the coming weeks or months if the raw water deteriorates or we get a bad spell of adverse weather.
“We continue to progress our long-term plans for a significant investment in the water infrastructure which is necessary to bring an end to the frequent Boil Water Notices that the people of East Cork have experienced over the last number of years. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Cork County Council and the local community on delivering this vital project in the years to come.”
Irish Water says it is pursuing a permanent solution to address the issues in the long term. This involves a major upgrade of the water treatment plant that will ensure a safe, reliable drinking water to customers on the Whitegate Regional Public Water Supply.