Operational challenges at Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant

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

Customers in the Clonmel area supplied by the Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant have been subject to a number of outages in recent days. While operational teams have worked to restore water supply as quickly as possible on each occasion, ongoing operational challenges are impacting the reliability of supply to areas of the town.

Pierce Faherty of Uisce Éireann highlighted the vulnerability of water supplied from Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant:

“Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant is on the EPA’s Remedial Action List and is at risk due to its age and condition. It relies on a surface water source that is vulnerable, which can lead to water quality challenges and cause interruptions to supply. We continue to monitor conditions closely and, when possible, supplement supply from the Glenary Water Treatment Plant to minimise disruption for customers. Interruptions to the water supplied by Poulavanogue have resulted in unplanned outages for all customers on this scheme. We recognise the impact and inconvenience these outages cause, and we want to ensure customers we are making we are making every effort to minimise the interruptions to supply.”

“The challenges in recent days highlight the vulnerability of this source and the importance of ensuring a secure, reliable source of water for all the town. Uisce Éireann is making progress on delivering the Clonmel Water Supply Upgrade Project, a €20 million investment in more resilient drinking water solution. This project is scheduled to be delivered in Autumn 2026 and will facilitate the decommissioning of the Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant with customers transferred to the more secure and resilient Monroe Water Treatment Plant.

Water is also returning to Uisce Éireann customers in Clonmel following a planned interruption to supply which took place last night to facilitate connection works as part of this project. Customers on the Cashel Road from the Ard Gaoithe Business Park to the Cashel roundabout at the N24, as well as those in Gort na Smol, Longfield estate, Cashel Road estate, Auburn Close/Park were impacted as part of these works.

Typically, it takes three to four hours following repairs for supply to restore to all customers affected by an unplanned outage. However, it may take longer for normal supply to be restored to customers at the end of the network or on higher ground as the system recharges.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. To register as a vulnerable customer or as an alternative contact, visit our Vulnerable Customers page.

Uisce Éireann’s customer care team is available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries.

Uisce Éireann has a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at our Text Alerts page.