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Uisce Éireann remains committed to addressing instances of water discolouration for affected customers and continues its work to improve water quality for homes and businesses in Cork City. Uisce Éireann’s Water Quality Taskforce for Cork City is undertaking a number of measures including its proactive flushing programme which target areas impacted by discolouration. On Wednesday, 15 January, proactive flushing will commence in Mount Farran.
Water Operations Lead for Uisce Éireann, James Goulding said: “We are continuing with our proactive flushing in Mount Farran. Our goal is to minimise the instances of discolouration for the people of Cork City, based on where reports of discolouration have been received. Signage will be put in place in advance of flushing.” Uisce Éireann is seeing a positive trend in areas that have been flushed, based on discolouration report numbers and proactive callbacks to customers.
Mr Goulding said:
“We recognise that instances of discolouration are still arising in areas of Cork City and want to assure householders and businesses that our dedicated taskforce is undertaking all possible measures to minimise discolouration and address the underlying issues across the city. We continue to advise customers not to drink discoloured water and to contact us directly with any reports of discolouration to help us manage the response in real time and to prioritise reactive works. Callbacks to customers who have previously raised concerns over discoloured water are ongoing.”
To protect public health, Uisce Éireann is undertaking extensive sampling, including testing at customers’ taps, on the network and operational sampling at the Lee Road water treatment plant. This provides reassurance that the water is compliant once running clear and assists with investigations into discolouration reports. Uisce Éireann has reiterated its appeal for people to report instances of discolouration so that all reports can be properly investigated.
Mr Goulding said:
“Our proactive flushing programme targets the areas impacted the most by discolouration. It is successful in mitigating the impacts in the short-term, by removing large quantities of sediment that have become lodged in the ageing cast iron mains. Uisce Éireann are seeing a positive trend in areas that have been flushed, based on discolouration report numbers and proactive callbacks to customers. We will continue to prioritise areas based on the numbers of reports of discolouration received.”
Public health remains our top priority, and we want to reiterate that water is safe to drink once it is running clear. Both the HSE and EPA are regularly updated and the HSE has also been consulted for their health advice during periods of increased discolouration reports. We will continue to update the public and public representatives through website, media, social media and regular briefing sessions with Oireachtas members and City Councillors.
Information for Residents and Businesses in Areas Targeted for Planned Flushing:
- Operational teams will commence flushing on Wednesday, January 15Work is carried out usually at night-time during off-peak usage hours, typically between 8pm & 4am. This allows the network to return to normal before the morning demand starts, reducing the potential for discoloured water at customers’ taps.
- As works progress through the area, signage will be put in place and customers are also advised to check the supply and services updates section of our website.
- Uisce Éireann continues to advise not to drink discoloured water. In the event of discolouration, running the tap for several minutes – we recommend up to 20 minutes.
- Operational teams will monitor overall weather reports weather and planned flushing activity will be postponed during icy conditions.