Brown water in Louth raises 'serious questions' for Uisce Éireann

Cllr John Sheridan has said that he has sought a meeting with Uisce Éireann following water discolouration in the public water supply last weekend.

Cllr Sheridan said it raised “serious questions” for water services which had just transferred from Louth County Council to Uisce Éireann at the end of January.

Cllr Sheridan told the Dundalk Democrat that: “Just over a week into the new management of water in our county and we had significant water issues of discoloured water at the southern end of the Dundalk supply. “I appreciate all the local people who were in touch with me over the weekend, the disruption was most prevalent in Louth Village, Darver and Castlebellingham.

“Many homes across a large rural area had brown water coming out of their mains tap over the weekend. One constituent wryly joked it looked like Budweiser coming from their tap, while others with young children obviously questioned if the water was safe to consume.

“Uisce Éireann had no information online of issues on the Dundalk supply. We have now been told by the Council Chief Executive Joan Martin that as water services are no longer part of the Council, they will no longer be on her monthly report which we can questioned at our monthly meetings.

“This is certainly a point of frustration for local representatives and local residents seeking reassurances about water quality. In May 2023, we had high hopes for a new era for Irish Water / Uisce Éireann, we had a tour of the Cavan Hill treatment plant and we got a full briefing on discolouration and what steps take place to prevent it and eradicate it.

“We also had a large delegation meet with councillors and assure us of a new dawn for communications with public representatives. Sadly the first major issue to take place since water services changed hands in Louth, has all the hallmarks of the old Irish Water.”

Cllr Sheridan added, “I have contacted Uisce Éireann with all constituents' eircodes of where discolouration was noted and have also contacted management in Uisce Éireann asking for a meeting with public representatives in Louth to discuss this issue and wider communication.”