Call for better updates on water supply issues
Irish Water and Cavan County Council are being urged to review how they communicate with customers and communities affected by water notices.
The motion was proposed by Sinn Fein councillor Stiofán Conty at a full meeting of the local authority on Monday afternoon.
It follows recent disruptions to group water supply schemes across the county including Redhills and Ballyhaise.
Cllr Conaty highlighted the difficulties customers experienced this summer with the Annagh Group Water Scheme and the Castlerahan Mountnugent Munterconnacht (CMM) Group Water Scheme.
“Some folk on the Annagh Group Water Scheme didn’t get the information about the ‘Do Not Consume’ notice and weren’t aware that they should not have been drinking the water,” he said.
“There were people who contacted Uisce Eireann only to become muddled and confused and then they were told to look at Uisce Eireann’s website. The communication by Uisce Eireann over the summer months was poor. I want our areas to be fully supplied with water,” added Cllr Conaty.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr T.P. O’Reilly (FG) then informed members that Uisce Eireann representatives are due to give a presentation to them prior to the next Council meeting.
Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) added: “I support this motion; I also note the new text service that is now operational and is informing people of the difficulties that arise. I’m hopeful that this is going to improve things a bit. Uisce Eireann could do a lot more when it comes to its communications.”
Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) told this gathering that it was unacceptable for Uisce Eireann to put information on its website and “expect people to see it”.
“There are so many people out there who have no computer, no wifi or broadband and who don’t look at websites,” he continued. “It’s just not good enough,” fumed the Belturbet representative.
Cllr Noel Connell (SF) then pointed out that people in the CMM scheme “didn’t know what was going on” when difficulties arose in August. He added there were no updates and it was his belief that communications would need to be improved upon.
In response to the motion, Director of Services Paddy Connaughton explained that Cavan County Council acts as a water supervisory authority on the group water schemes.
“We advise the schemes where there are health concerns but it is up to the group water schemes themselves to inform their customers of what is happening,” he added.
Following discussions, it was agreed by members to write to Uisce Eireann asking it to “improve communications” going forward.
The Do Not Consume notice attached to the Annagh Group Water Scheme was lifted on Friday, August 23 with “immediate effect” after drinking water in the Redhills and Ballyhaise areas were impacted for almost a month while officials waited for three simultaneous ‘clear’ tests due to increased nitrates in the water.
On August 1, the boil water notice issued to all users served by Clifferna Group Water Scheme was lifted after it was imposed on July 12.
A boil water notice was issued to areas served by the Castlerahan Mountnugent Munterconnaught (CMM) Group Water Supply on Friday, August 2. Customers were advised that the water must be boiled for at least 10 minutes, bringing it to a vigorous, rolling boil before it can be consumed.
RECENT ISSUES
- The Do Not Consume notice attached to the Annagh Group Water Scheme was lifted on Friday, August 23 with "immediate effect" after drinking water in the Redhills and Ballyhaise areas were impacted for almost a month while officials waited for three simultaneous 'clear' tests due to increased nitrates in the water.;
- On August 1, the boil water notice issued to all users served by Clifferna Group Water Scheme was lifted after it was imposed on July 12.
- A boil water notice was issued to areas served by the Castlerahan Mountnugent Munterconnaught (CMM) Group Water Supply on Friday, August 2. Customers were advised that the water must be boiled for at least 10 minutes, bringing it to a vigorous, rolling boil before it can be consumed.