Fury grows over ‘Boil Water’ saga

Many of the thousands of households and businesses in the area on 'boil water' notices are becoming furious as the restriction enters its second consecutive month without being resolved.

Uisce Éireann has refused a request by local councillor Fiona Bonfield to provide a water tanker at Newport while the Newport Public Water Supply remains under restriction and members of the community label the situation as “bloody ridiculous”, “disgraceful” and “madness” as they accuse the authority of “failing in its duty” to supply a proper water supply.

Uisce Éireann are continuing to blame “deterioration in the quality of raw water” entering the Newport Public Water Supply Treatment Plant, but it is now emerging from the Operations Department of Uisce Éireann that “capacity at the plant as well as upgrades required within the treatment process” are issues of concern.

Meantime, very well known as a salmon spawning river, Inland Fisheries Ireland in response to a query advised that they are “not aware of any specific water quality issues affecting the Mulcair River that would give rise to concern”, which is the main source of supply to the Public Water Supply Treatment Plant.

The more than 8,000 customers on the Newport Public Water Supply serving Newport town and surrounding areas, Birdhill, Ballina, Gortybrigane Ballinahinch, and Killoscully have been experiencing ‘Boil Water’ notices since January. A notice issued in January was lifted on February 4. A 'Boil Water' notice issued on May 3 was lifted on May 7. A new notice issued on May 20 remains in place.

BONFIELD’S request for WATER TANKER

In response to demands from the community, Cllr Fiona Bonfield, who requested a water tanker for the areas, was advised that “a tanker is only delivered when an area is without a supply of water for over 24 hours”.

Consumers have been venting their feelings of anger on social media and criticism of Uisce Éireann. One member of the community responded: "to be honest, the argument is there that we are without a ‘supply’ of drinking water for more than 24 hours, and so satisfy criteria for a tanker. Does their protocol define what ‘supply’ means?”

Another said “that's madness... the cost of drums of water daily is mental. I'm pregnant and if I drink it, I'm at risk, but yet we can't get a tanker of water. How does that make sense?”

A third hit out: “disgraceful, there isn't a place to fill up empty bottles with fresh water even”.

In an update response from Uisce Éireann Local Representative Support Desk, Cllr Bonfield has been advised “The Operations Department has advised that boil water notice for Newport supply is in place until further notice, a combination of heavy rainfall and capacity at the plant as well as upgrades required within the treatment process are the cause of the issues”. They added: “Uisce Éireann are aware that the boil water notice is disruptive and crews are working to resolve this issue as soon as is safe to do so.”

There is growing concern that in the absence of more detailed information from Uisce Éireann, consumers may get “fed up” and ignore the 'boil' notice, but one warned: “boiling water will reduce most pathogens but not all contaminants. If we knew what we are dealing with, it would help us. For now I, am boiling water and then filtering it. If there is contaminants in there, this may not be enough.”

Widespread concern is that “Uisce Éireann’s response is far from satisfactory. It seems to be a never-ending prospect of disruption. Boil water notices are concerning. What is in the water? This is a disgrace. Heavy rain is an issue! Hello! We need a date when the matter will be resolved.”

Another added: “This is disgraceful. It’s going on too long. We want good clean water, now - Yes it's bloody ridiculous.”

Up to going to press this week, Uisce Éireann were not in a position to indicate when the problem is likely to be resolved.