Two Kilkenny water sources supplying 16,000 back on stream after pollutants cleared
TWO water sources serving 16,000 people in Kilkenny abandoned last year after dangerously high levels of environmental pollutants were discovered in the water have been restored.
The Inistioge and Kilkenny City (Troyswood) water supplies, shutdown when dangerously high levels of trihalomethanes were discovered in the water last July have been given the all-clear by the Environmental Protection Agency following extensive investment and upgrade works by Irish Water working in partnership with Kilkenny County Council.
Following the discovery of trihalomethanes, which occur when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring dissolved organic material in the water, both water supplies were abandoned and the affected areas switched to a nearby source, which meant the entire city of Kilkenny’s water being supplied from the Troyswood water supply.
The latest upgrade removing two more sources from the Remedial Action List (RAL) means just three water schemes in the county remain on the list – Glenmore, Radestown in Kilkenny City and Piltown/Fiddown, this is down from seven sources in 2015. Work is continuing on these supplies.
Irish Water Compliance Specialist, Pat Duggan says: “The publication of the latest RAL by the EPA confirms that whilst improvements have been made in many areas, the scale of the challenge faced by Irish Water in ensuring the delivery of clean and safe water in Kilkenny and throughout the country remains.
“As a single national utility, Irish Water has been able to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of Ireland’s drinking water treatment plants and focus investment where the risk to our customers is highest.
“Nationally Irish Water has adopted a prioritised programme of works which will require an investment of €2 billion by 2021. Significant improvements are being achieved year on year by this approach right across the country.”
