Thousands without water in Tipperary

Uisce Éireann is working to restore normal water supply to almost 11,500 homes and businesses across South Tipperary after high turbidity levels forced a shutdown at the Ardfinnan Water Treatment Plant.

The outage is affecting customers in a wide area including Goatenbridge, Cahir, Poulatar, Newcastle, Ballybacon, Grange, Ardfinnan, Marlfield, Clerihan, Poulmucka and Castlegrace, as well as surrounding areas.

Pierce Faherty of Uisce Éireann said flash rainfall over the weekend had caused high turbidity in the River Suir, interrupting water production at the plant. “Work over the weekend ensured the plant was operating yesterday evening but further turbidity has impacted on production today, and all customers on the scheme have now been impacted as reservoirs have not had time to refill,” he said.

Alternative water supplies have been made available at Marlfield and Clerihan villages, with further tankers being deployed to Ardfinnan National School and the Castle car park in Cahir. Customers are being asked to bring their own containers and to boil water before use as a precaution.

The utility said it was prioritising vulnerable customers who have registered with its support service and would continue to provide updates through its website, social media channels and 24-hour helpline at 1800 278 278.