New wells required as Tipperary boil water notice set to continue
A boil water notice in Tipperary will remain in place for the foreseeable future, as new wells must be drilled to resolve ongoing water quality issues.
Uisce Éireann imposed a boil water notice for the Tipperary Town Public Water Supply on February 12, affecting more than 5,000 homes, farms and businesses, due to elevated turbidity (cloudiness) of the raw water entering the Cordangan Water Treatment Plant.
Now, an update from Uisce Éireann (UÉ) has confirmed that there has been damage done to a borehole where the water comes from that cannot be repaired.
“The Cordangan Water Treatment Plant is fed by two boreholes which draw water from the same underground aquifer. One of these boreholes has a damaged lining, resulting in a deterioration in the quality of the water being extracted for treatment,” the utility has said.
"As the second borehole is located close by and draws from the same water source, its water quality is also being affected,” they added.
The elevated turbidity is also leading to challenges in disinfecting the water at the treatment plant, UÉ have said, with the water not being able to meet the required drinking water standards.
"Extensive investigations carried out by Uisce Éireann have confirmed that the structural damage to the affected borehole cannot be repaired.
"Operational teams have undertaken a number of measures in recent weeks, investigating to see if adjustments to pumping from the water sources could help improve conditions and reduce turbidity. These results have been unsuccessful, however work will continue on these interim measures and all other viable options to resolve the issue,” the utility explained.
The utility have said that in the meantime, they will accelerate work on longer-term measures to provide a safe water supply, including plans to drill new wells.
Pierce Faherty from Uisce Éireann said that they are looking at all options to get the boil water notice lifted as soon as possible.
"The extensive damage caused to the borehole and the subsequent deterioration of water quality have led to difficulties in us lifting this notice,” he said.
"Uisce Éireann would like to apologise to all customers supplied by the Cordangan Water Treatment Plant and would like to thank the local community for their patience as we work to lift this notice,” Mr Faherty added.
The boil water notice remains in place. Customers are advised to boil water before drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, and washing salads.