Boil water notice for Whitegate lifted

The boil water notice which has been in place for customers supplied by the Whitegate Regional Public Water Supply since 29 October 2022 has been lifted with immediate effect.

Uisce Éireann say all consumers on the Whitegate Regional Public Water Supply can now resume normal use of the water supply for drinking, food preparation and brushing teeth.

The notice was originally issued due to increased turbidity in the raw water source. Uisce Éireann worked with colleagues in Cork County Council to carry out the necessary works to enable the notice to be lifted. There is however the possibility that the boil water notice may have to re-issued if the raw water quality deteriorates or there is a bad spell of adverse weather.

Uisce Éireann Operations Lead, Pat Britton acknowledged the impact of the notice on the community: “Uisce Éireann wishes to thank the people of Whitegate and surrounding areas for their patience, co-operation and assistance during this boil water notice."

Uisce Éireann is pursuing a permanent solution to address the frequent boil water notices that the people of East Cork have experienced over the last number of years. This involves a major upgrade of the water treatment plant.

A contractor has been appointed to undertake the design and construction, land has been acquired and a planning application was submitted in January 2023. Planning permission was approved by Cork County Council in May; however, following the statutory process appeals have been lodged with An Bórd Pleanála.