'Red letter day' for people of Kingscourt

Irish Water has just completed a €3 million investment in the Kingscourt water supply, which has led to its removal from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL). The EPA published its latest RAL this week and there are now no Co Cavan schemes on the list.
A statement from Irish Water today says: 'The 3,000 customers supplied by the Kingscourt water supply are enjoying a clean and secure supply following these upgrade works by Irish Water, working in partnership with Cavan County Council. The works will also secure the future residential and commercial development needs of Kingscourt and surrounding areas as well as ensuring compliance with European and national drinking water regulations.'

At the July meeting of Cavan County Council, councillors had raised ongoing supply issues in Kingscourt. They were informed that a scouring process was underway throughout the system in a bid to rectify the problem.
Residents had complained about the appearance of dark coloured flecks in water from taps; while others claimed that pipes entering their homes were so bunged up with limescale that they were unable to flush their toilets properly.
“It's just unbelievable,” said a clearly miffed Fianna Fáil Councillor Clifford Kelly, speaking in the chamber and armed with two murky-looking drinking bottles, which he claimed were filled from his taps at the weekend.
Responding, Director of Services Joe McLoughlin informed the councillors that samples were been tested. He offered the explanation that the appearance of particles could be down to “manganese” in the supply but added that the last test showed the presence of bacteria defeating chlorine.
“We are currently scouring the entire network to remedy. Hopefully that will see a return to normality.”On Monday of this week, Irish Water confirmed to The Anglo-Celt: "Scouring of the network, which was necessary due to the presence of manganese in the water has been completed. The scouring took longer than usual to complete due to the drought. The presence of manganese in the water did not pose a public health issue and has now been removed."

The statement added: 'Irish Water and Cavan County Council would like to thank the public for their patience while this important project was being delivered and the process proving phase was taking place.'
 
The €3M upgrade, meanwhile, was completed by Veolia Water Ltd. It involved the construction of a new water treatment plant, a new storage reservoir and an off-site well at Descart, Co Monaghan, which will supply raw water to the new plant to provide security of supply to the scheme.

Speaking about the RAL and the ongoing work in Cavan, Irish Water’s Regional Compliance Specialist Pat O’Sullivan said: “This a red letter day for the people on this water supply scheme. The publication of the latest RAL update is a confirmation of the focus and dedication of Irish Water and Cavan County Council in ensuring the delivery of clean and wholesome water in the county. It is great to see a new treatment plant replacing the original one which was commissioned in the 1950s and the developmental needs of the area secured.”
The RAL is updated quarterly by the EPA for those water supplies where investment in treatment processes is required. Irish Water has a prioritised programme of investment for all schemes on the RAL.

If any member of the public is experiencing a problem with their water quality they can contact the Irish Water customer care helpline on 1850 278 278.