Do Not Consume Notice in place to protect customers supplied by the Ardfinnan Regional Water Supply Scheme

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section

Uisce Éireann would like to remind customers across the Ardfinnan Regional Water Supply Scheme they must not consume their tap water following a Do Not Consume notice brought into effect late yesterday evening (09 October 2026). 

This notice was put in place following an issue with the treatment process at the Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant which led to intermittent high levels of aluminium in the water supply. 
Despite the best efforts of engineering crews this week to restore normal production of water, operational issues meant the plant was producing water only intermittently. Each treatment process at the plant has built-in safety features that stop production if the water does not meet the required quality standards, which include elevated levels of aluminium. 
To ensure a continued supply of water to local homes and businesses these features were disabled last night rendering the water unsafe to consume but suitable for other purposes such as sanitation. 
We have taken this measure in consultation with the HSE, to protect public health. Our teams will continue to work on required remediation measures to address the process issues, and we are monitoring results at the treatment plant and across the water network as we work to restore a safe water supply as quickly as possible. 

The plant was in production through the night, and reservoirs are continuing to refill. Most customers should have a normal supply returning. Some customers may continue to experience low pressure or intermittent outages, but we expect a normal supply to return to all areas today.
Customers across the entire Ardfinnan scheme which includes Ardfinnan village and surrounding areas, Grange, Knocklofty, Newcastle, Ballyclerihan, areas of Cahir, Ballingarrane, Market Hill and the Red City area of Fethard, should not use their tap water for drinking, preparing food, cooking, or brushing teeth. 

Please note this also includes the Kilnamack West areas of Co. Waterford and the Graigue Group Water Scheme, which is also supplied by the Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant. 

Boiling the water will not make it safe to drink, and it is particularly important that water from the tap is not given to bottle-fed babies.

Our team at Uisce Éireann understands this will be concerning and disruptive for households, schools and businesses in the area. Everyone relies on having safe drinking water in their homes and workplaces and we want to reassure the community that protecting public health is our absolute priority. 

While issuing a Do Not Consume Notice is always a last resort, taking prompt action to protect public health is our responsibility. Working closely with the HSE and other stakeholders, we are taking every necessary step to restore a safe drinking water supply as quickly as possible.

Customers can check if their property is affected by visiting the Water Quality section of water.ie and entering their Eircode or by contacting Uisce Éireann's customer care team, available 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the affected area is also attached.  

Update on Alternative Water Supplies

Bottled water, tankers, and bulk containers remain in place across the regional scheme as below and will be replenished routinely while this notice remains in place. We are assuring everyone that we will continue to replenish supplies and to only take what they need to ensure there is sufficient water for all. 

Additional locations are being added in Poulmucka, Newchapel, Lisronagh and Clogheen.

•    Ardfinnan Village opposite the National School
•    Newcastle Village 
•    Grange Village beside the church
•    Clerihan Village beside the church
•    Newchapel village
•    Newchapel at Drishogue Crossroads
•    Knocklofty
•    Cahir Park Football Club
•    Cahir–Mitchelstown Road near the BMW garage
•    Cahir Mart
•    Cahir Castle carpark
•    Marlfield Village
•    Lisronagh National School carpark
•    Clogheen National School
•    Poulmucka

Bottled water will continue to be delivered directly to all Nursing Homes and HSE facilities across the area, as well as to all schools and customers who have registered with us as vulnerable. 

Vulnerable Customer Registration Process

At this time, we are asking customers who may be vulnerable, or anyone supporting a vulnerable friend or family member, to register with us so that we can communicate directly about medical or specific needs. The quickest way to register is to call us on 1800 278 278. Other registration options, such as online registration, are also available. However, to activate the registration and expedite our engagement, calling us is currently the best approach. Additional staff are working in the call centre currently to ensure calls are answered promptly and registrations are completed. Please find details of who is deemed vulnerable on our dedicated page on water.ie 

An emergency incident management team was established early this week and has been meeting daily to assess the situation and implement solutions to the supply challenges. The team is now focused on maintaining supply and also lifting the notice as quickly and safely as possible.

Fionnuala Callery Regional Operations Senior Manager for water at Uisce Éireann, said the team appreciates that the situation is disruptive and has thanked each community across the Ardfinnan Scheme for its patience. 

“Protecting public health is always our top priority. We want to stress that, unlike a Boil Water Notice, boiling the water will not make it safe to consume. We appreciate the support of the community in following the advice issued while our teams work to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible.

“We recognise the challenges each local community on the scheme has faced without water intermittently this week but wish to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to restore a normal supply to local homes and businesses.

“We are asking vulnerable customers, or those who care for them, to contact us directly on 1800 278 278 to register. Registration enables us to communicate with you directly, understand any medical or specific needs, and identify how we may be able to help.”   

Uisce Éireann's drinking water standards are among the strictest in Europe and include significant safety margins. Where potential risks to public health are identified through Uisce Éireann's testing and monitoring programme, the HSE is consulted and precautionary notices may be issued to protect customers.

This water should not be used for: 
•    Drinking  
•    Preparing drinks with water  
•    Food preparation, washing food or cooking food
•    Brushing of teeth  
•    Making of ice  
•    In particular, children under 12 months old should not drink this water. This water should not be used for making up infant formula for bottled fed infants. An alternative source of water should be used. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as ‘Natural Mineral Water’ as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. ‘Natural Mineral Water’ can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated.  
•    If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for one minute), and cooled in the normal way  
•    Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used.  
•    Domestic water filters will not make the water safe to drink  
•    Caution should be taken when bathing infants to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water  
•    Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges  

What can you use water for?   
•    The water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing, flushing toilets, laundry and washing of utensils  

Vulnerable customers who are registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication when Do Not Consume Notices are issued.  

Customers can stay informed about their local water service by checking the supply and service section of our website, checking our live feed at X @IWCare, or signing up to receive real-time text updates. Our customer care team is also available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.