Concerns raised as Tipperary water supply set to change from soft to hard water
Residents in Clonmel are being warned that their water supply is set to change from soft to hard water, with a public meeting now being organised to discuss the plans.
A letter from Uisce Éireann (UÉ) to residents in Clonmel on the Poulavanogue Water Supply Scheme, seen by the Irish Independent, told water customers that their supply of water would be changed to the Monroe Water Treatment Plant.
“The Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant, which was built in the 1950s, has experienced ongoing issues due to ageing infrastructure, the long-term availability of source water and raw water quality challenges,” the utility said.
In an attempt to deal with these issues, Uisce Éireann said that upgrade works have been carried out on the Monroe Water Treatment Plant, which will see properties on the Poulavanogue supply moved to the Monroe supply.
The Monroe supply will then be connected to the Clonmel North reservoir.
Uisce Éireann said that customers will be moved to a hard water supply, which is common across Ireland, according to the utility.
Locals have raised concerns on social media about the move from soft water to hard water, saying that limescale build up will lead to them needing new appliances.
Local activist Joe Hawkins led calls for a public meeting to discuss the changes.
“I am calling on the Clonmel community to wake up and stop sitting back while Uisce Éireann pushes what I believe is a reckless agenda of water infrastructure investment on the town of Clonmel,” he said.
“If the people of Clonmel do not want to be subjected to further hard water disruption, problems with kettles and household appliances, and unnecessary upheaval, then now is the time to speak up and take action,” Mr Hawkins said.
Uisce Éireann has said that hard water is “perfectly safe” to drink, and that there is no legal requirement for them to remove hardness from drinking water.
Mr Hawkins said it is important that people make their voices heard.
“If the majority of people in Clonmel want to stop these plans, we cannot continue to sit back and allow decisions to be made without proper community involvement,” he said.
Mr Hawkins has now set a public meeting to take place later this month.
Sinn Féin councillor for neighbouring Carrick-on-Suir David Dunne, backed calls for the meeting, saying a past meeting held in Clonmel also raised these concerns.
“Anyone present will remember just how frustrating a meeting that was in terms of the responses given by the Uisce Éireann representatives on the night. Especially around their plans for the proposed closure of the Poulavanogue water treatment plant.
“Fast forward to this week in 2026 — I have seen on social media that Uisce Éireann has issued letters advising that they are taking further steps to close Poulavanogue and pump in hard water into the centre of Clonmel,” he added.
The Sinn Féin councillor said that while there are issues at the Poulavanogue plant, remedial works at the site could and should have been considered.
The public meeting about the future of the water supply in Clonmel will take place on Monday, August 24 at 7.30pm in the Talbot Hotel in Clonmel.