24 July 2024 - I wish to further update residents of affected areas in Limerick regarding Uisce Éireann's efforts to remove the longstanding Boil Water Notices in the Askeaton and Cappamore areas. While the overriding objective for me remains to solve the problem for good, people frustrated by the length of time it is taking also need to know along the way how it is progressing.

A representative of Uisce Éireann provided the following written update some weeks ago to the elected representatives of the Municipal District of Adare-Rathkeale in regards to the Boil Water Notices in Askeaton:

“Uisce Éireann is continuing efforts to lift the Boil Water Notice in place for customers supplied by Foynes/Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply.

Members of our project team are on leave and therefore we are unable to meet as requested.

By way of an update for the members of Adare/Rathkeale Muncipal District, final commissioning works are progressing at Shannon Estuary Water Treatment Plant in the first two weeks of July with data collation to be presented to the Health Service Executive immediately thereafter.

We are grateful to elected representatives who continue to share our updates and we do appreciate the continued patience of our customers as we work to lift the notice.”

L-R: Stephen Burke, Regional Operations Manager; John Moran, Mayor of Limerick; Sean Laffey, Director of Asset Management and Sustainability; John Dempsey, Director of LA Liaison.

When I had my first sit-down with Housing Minister O’Brien, he agreed to set up a meeting for me with senior officials of Uisce Éireann. On Monday, 15th July 2024, I then met with Sean Laffey, Director of Asset Management and Sustainability; John Dempsey, Director of LA Liaison; Stephen Burke, Regional Operations Manager; and Sinead Egan, Senior Manager Public Affairs and Stakeholder. I was able to underscore, among other things, the importance for me of finding a permanent solution. Uisce Éireann also agreed to help me improve communications in the interim for affected customers in Limerick. I was reassured leaving that meeting that a resolution of this awful situation is now very much a shared priority for us both.

This morning, I received the first of the weekly updates to be issued by Uisce Éireann, stating:

“Uisce Éireann appreciates the continued patience of our customers as we continue working to enable the lifting this Boil Water Notice. Final commissioning works are progressing at Shannon Estuary Water Treatment Plant. Sampling is ongoing and we are continuing to liaise with the EPA.

The rigorous testing and processes that are being carried out are crucial to ensure that the state-of-the-art ultraviolet disinfection unit installed at Shannon Estuary Water Treatment Plant is operating as intended. We do appreciate the continued patience of our customers as we work to lift the notice.

We will continue to provide you with weekly updates from our Operations & Compliance Teams on the ongoing BWN in Foynes Shannon. If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you again for sharing our updates.”

I note that there is a reference just to the BWN in Foynes Shannon. I intend to clarify for next week’s update that the BWN notices in the East of Limerick are also on line for the same resolution timetable.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Mayor at [email protected].