Boil Water Notice on Whitegate Public Water Supply lifted with immediate effect

The notice was originally issued as a precaution due to elevated turbidity 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 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. 
 
A detailed scoping of the new treatment plant has been completed and a contractor has recently been appointed, under our Early Contractor Involvement Framework, to undertake the design and construction. The proposed works will include a new coagulation, flocculation and clarification system, a new filtration system and a new disinfection system.

Significant upgrades will be made to other aspects of the Kilva Water Treatment Plant site. Due to the nature of the project, land acquisition, planning approvals and other legal consents may be required, and the timelines indicated are reflective of this. The design process has commenced and is due to be completed by the end of 2022. Following that, the project will enter the Detailed Design phase. Irish Water are targeting early 2023 for the submission of a planning application to Cork County Council, if required.

Subject to the planning process, it is anticipated that construction would commence on site in 2024. However, as with all projects where some level of land acquisition, planning etc. are involved timelines can be difficult to predict. Further updates will be made available as the project progresses.

Irish Water and the Local Authority and the Health Service Executive Water Liaison Group will continue to meet and will review ongoing process control, monitoring and testing of the drinking water supply.

The Irish Water Customer Contact Centre (1800 278 278) is available to answer customer queries in relation to this water notice. Further information is available on water.ie.

Irish Water and Cork County Council acknowledge the patience, cooperation and assistance of the general public during the period of the boil water notice and greatly regrets any inconvenience caused to householders and the business community.