Major treatment plant upgrade planned
While many of the 8,000 customers on the Newport Regional Water Supply are totally frustrated and angry over the ongoing 'boil water' issue, a “major upgrade” of the treatment plant has now been committed to by Uisce Éireann.
Some upgrades to the water processing equipment at the plant are scheduled for completion within the next three months with the major upgrade is at the planning stage.
The supply serves about 8,000 households and businesses in the Newport Town and adjoining areas, Birdhill, Ballina, Gortybrigane, Ballinahinch and Killoscully areas.
Furious customers on the ongoing boil water notice are describing the situation as “a joke” in an avalanche of messages being posted on social media describing it as “madness that everyone is sick of”.
One wrote: “Another boil water notice has been place as of 9.30pm on September 4. This is now way past a joke. What is going on? The work gone on during the past week all seems to do with sewerage system and not water supply. Why can nobody actually know what is actually going on.”
Another commented: “Are Uisce Éireann answerable to anyone? Fair enough, there was an issue; ok, get it sorted but why turn on the supply on Wednesday evening and then tell us at 9pm on Friday it’s not safe for drinking. Boil Water Notice. Was it tested on Wednesday? Questions need to be asked by the relevant people and let’s get some proper answers. if possible.”
One said: “It's madness. Everyone sick of it now.” Others said that the elderly people in people in particular within the area deserve much better than what has been going on throughout this year with the supply on boil water notice for more than two months.
They point out that many elderly may not have the communication facilities to get the notices from Uisce Éireann and a car and loud haler should be used to notify people when it is not safe to use the water being supplied.
RESOLVE THE PROBLEM
In response to local councillor Fiona Bonfield and North Tipperary TD, Alan Kelly, Uisce Éireann has given an outline of plans to resolve the problems at the treatment plant.
Uisce Éireann regret the difficulties and stated: “This week the automatic shutdowns triggered to shut the plant preventing any non-compliant water entering supply. Protecting public health is always our priority.
“Newport Water Treatment Plant has robust monitoring, alarm and shutdown systems in place that are designed to identify potential water quality issues before they can impact customers.
“Where necessary, parts of the treatment process may be temporarily paused to allow operations to stabilise and ensure only fully compliant water enters the network.”
On a positive note they have outlined plans to upgrade the treatment plant at Newport. “A number of projects are already underway to strengthen the resilience of Newport Water Treatment Plant and improve its ability to manage challenging raw water conditions. Filter upgrade works are currently progressing well at the plant and are expected to be completed by the end of this year.”
PLC Control System Upgrades and Advance Resilience Works are scheduled for completion in the near future.
Uisce Éireann confirmed: “A major capital upgrade project for Newport Water Treatment Plant is currently in the planning phase.
“The planned commencement for construction is before the end of 2027, with overall completion expected in Q4 2028,” while some critical advance works associated with this project have been expedite and are expected to commence before the end of this year, to improve resilience at the plant.