Uisce Éireann has launched a dedicated online reporting form for Cork City residents experiencing water discolouration, as the utility company’s water quality taskforce continues efforts to address ongoing issues across the city.

The new five-minute online survey allows customers to report discolouration incidents quickly and easily, developed following direct feedback from customers and elected representatives. The form is available on the Uisce Éireann website alongside a dedicated Cork City webpage featuring customer advice, ongoing works updates, and recent news.

While Uisce Éireann reports a positive decrease in discolouration reports across Cork, the company continues to encourage consistent reporting to provide real-time insights into emerging issues and help identify priority areas for future works.

Brian O’Leary, Uisce Éireann Regional Operations Manager, said:

“Public health is the top priority for Uisce Éireann and we want to assure customers that resolving this issue remains a key focus. While the majority of people in the city receive a consistent high quality, fully compliant water supply without any discolouration issues, we acknowledge the persistence of these issues for some customers. We hope our new online tool will provide a quick, simple, and accessible way for customers to report instances of discolouration and continue to target our response in the most impacted areas.”

The Cork City Water Quality Taskforce has implemented several prioritised measures to minimise discolouration incidents, including planned and targeted flushing of the pipe network, ongoing investment in the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant and the city’s water network, and an increased sampling and testing programme.

Customers experiencing discoloured water are advised not to drink it. Running the cold kitchen tap for up to 20 minutes will usually restore water to a clear colour, making it safe to drink once running clear. Water discolouration typically occurs when sediment, including naturally occurring metals such as manganese and iron, becomes dislodged from old cast iron pipes or during network maintenance work.

Customers can report discolouration issues through the new online form at water.ie or by contacting the customer care team directly on 1800 278 278. Additional information about manganese and iron in drinking water is available through HSE resources on the Uisce Éireann website.

For more information and advice, visit www.water.ie/help/water-quality/discoloured-water/