UISCE Éireann is refuting claims that drinking water in and around Clonakilty is unsafe. The utilities provider issued a statement following a councillor’s claim that he would not recommend anyone drink water from the tap.

Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) raised concerns about water quality at a recent meeting of the West Cork Municipal District during a debate about continuing sewage leaks in Shannonvale.

‘The amount of chemicals and additives put into the water to bring it out the tap clean is disgusting. I don’t drink tap water in Clonakilty because there’s a terrible smell off it. And I would urge anyone not to drink it,’ he said.

In response Uisce Éireann said there was no evidence tap water in the area was unsafe to drink and it reassured customers that public health remained its top priority.

‘We would like to assure customers that the drinking water supplied by Jones Bridge Water Treatment Plant is safe to drink and continues to meet all regulatory standards,’ said a spokesperson. ‘We carry out regular testing and monitoring of all public water supplies in accordance with the European Union Drinking Water Regulations. The treatment processes used at Jones Bridge Water Treatment Plant to treat raw water before it reaches customers’ taps are fully in line with water treatment standards used nationally and globally.’

The spokesperson added that disinfecting water with chlorine was an essential step in making it safe, and that chlorine levels were carefully monitored and controlled at required regulatory standards.

‘Uisce Éireann remains  committed to addressing legacy wastewater challenges through long-term investment planning.These wastewater issues are not linked to drinking water quality in the area.’

Cllr Sexton made the comments during a debate on his motion calling on Cork County Council to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to crack down on ongoing sewage leaks in Shannonvale.

Cllr Sexton called on Uisce Éireann to produce an action plan to stop sewage overflows, warning of serious risks to the environment and public health. He also sought a full clean-up of contamination in the local park and the River Argideen.

‘You can still see the sludge going into the water at the river,’ he said. Cork County Council confirmed it would write to the EPA as requested. Residents in Shannonvale continue to see pollution of their local river and park, despite a court ruling in September that saw Uisce Éireann fined €4,000 for breaches of its wastewater licence.

A spokesperson for UE explained that the wastewater infrastructure at Shannonvale consisted of septic tanks and a percolation area, both of which pre-dated Uisce Éireann and served a terrace of nine houses. The treated effluent from the septic tank was discharged to the ground through the percolation area.

‘The septic tank undergoes routine inspection and maintenance, including frequent desludging. However, the percolation area has shown limitations in dispersing treated effluent effectively under certain weather conditions. Uisce Éireann notes the outcome of the recent EPA prosecutions and remains committed to delivering the most appropriate long-term solution for Shannonvale.’

They added that the nearest water treatment plant, Jones Bridge, was several kilometres downstream and continuously monitored, with no risk to public water quality from Shannonvale.

Uisce Éireann was fined €4,000 by Dublin Metropolitan District Court on September 29th last after the EPA prosecuted it for wastewater licence breaches at Shannonvale Park.

The case related to unauthorised sewage overflows in September 2024 that polluted the local park and River Argideen.

At the time, campaign group Clean Water Clonakilty described the ruling as ‘a major step forward in holding Uisce Éireann to account,’ saying it recognised the damage caused to Shannonvale Park and the River Argideen, an important local waterway.