Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus leis an Teachta O'Connor as an gceist seo a ardú. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I acknowledge Deputy Stanton's concerns as well about the east Cork boil water notice.

The issue of safe drinking water has both national and local importance and I appreciate the Deputy's concerns for the communities affected. He will appreciate that the operation at Whitegate regional public water supply is a matter for Uisce Éireann, which has a statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services, that is, planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. In turn, the Environmental Protection Agency as the environmental regulator, is responsible for setting water quality standards and enforcing compliance with EU directives and national regulations for the provision of drinking water.

I understand, from inquiries made with Uisce Éireann, that the boil water notice currently in place for the Whitegate public water supply was issued on 18 October 2023 following consultation between Uisce Éireann, Cork County Council and the Health Service Executive. This boil water notice, which remains in place, was issued to protect approximately 9,500 customers in Whitegate, Aghada, Churchtown, Ballycotton, Saleen, Shanagarry, Ballinacurra and areas of Cloyne. The notice was issued as a result of increased turbidity in the raw water, which can happen at this source as it is susceptible to raw water quality issues after rainfall events. Boil water notices have been issued on Whitegate public water supply a number of times in recent years. However, it should be noted that the water is safe to consume once boiled.

Uisce Éireann has advised in January this year, following a protracted process, that it received planning permission for a new state-of-the-art water treatment facility that will service just more than 10,000 people in the east Cork community of Whitegate and surrounding areas. The proposed new water treatment plant will address the frequent boil water notices that the people of east Cork have experienced in recent years. A contractor has been appointed to deliver the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann. Construction on this vital project is expected to begin in the second half of this year and will take approximately 22 months.

My Department does not have any function regarding the deposit return scheme to which the Deputy referred. However, consumers who have been charged a deposit on a container under the scheme can redeem it in full from participating shops and supermarkets. It is a good scheme, but obviously good quality municipal water is far superior to bottled water in most cases.

That is what we should be trying to achieve. There is also zero waste generated from drinking tap water.

Turning to financial support, Uisce Éireann has a strong consumer service focus through its water charges plan and customer charter, which outlines the standard of service customers should expect to receive. The water charges plan sets out the compensation mechanism when water quality is compromised and unfit for human consumption, such as when boil water and drinking water restriction notices apply.

Business consumers who pay charges are entitled to a rebate under the consumer handbook as agreed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. However, implementation of the water charges plan is a matter in the first instance for Uisce Éireann. Any issues that cannot be resolved by Uisce Éireann to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the CRU. My Department's priority is to ensure that people's health is protected and that adequate water is available for all consumers.

We all want to see this notice lifted without undue delay but only when the HSE and the EPA have confirmed that the water supply is safe.

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