Clara/Ferbane water supply removed from EPA 'vulnerable' list after €9.7m investment

Uisce Éireann has welcomed the news that the water supply for over 7,700 of its customers in Clara, Ferbane and surrounding areas has been removed from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of vulnerable water supplies.

The company said its €9.7m investment in an upgrade the Clara Water Treatment Plant had ensured "continued delivery of a safe and reliable water supply for homes and businesses in the area".

The local water supply had previously been included on the EPA's ‘at risk’ list due to levels of Trihalomethane (THM) that were above the standards outlined in the Drinking Water Regulations

Ian Walsh, Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, said: "We are proud of the team effort that led to the successful completion of the works, allowing for the removal of the supply from the EPA’s Remedial Action List.

"We want to thank the local community for their support and patience while the work was underway.

Mr Walsh added, "With this project complete, we can ensure the continued delivery of safe, clean drinking water to the wider community across Clara and Ferbane. Uisce Éireann’s €9.7 million investment will help support development, enabling the local community to thrive."

This project involved installing a new flocculation unit, filtration and disinfection upgrades, central controls, and automation systems.

Edward Haythornthwaite, Regional Drinking Water Compliance Manager at Uisce Éireann, said: "We are fully committed to identifying and addressing risks to drinking water quality.

"Our key focus remains protecting public health by providing safe, clean, and secure water supplies for local communities. This critical upgrade ensures ongoing compliance with drinking water regulations and significantly reduces the risk of future water quality issues."

The water produced in Clara serves the surrounding community, including Clara, Ballycumber, Ferbane, Doon, Belmont, Shannon Harbour, and Shannonbridge.