Boil Water Notice Issued for Nearly 5,000 Macroom Residents

Uisce Éireann has issued an immediate Boil Water Notice affecting approximately 4,697 customers on the Macroom public water supply following operational issues at the local treatment plant. The notice, issued today in consultation with the HSE, requires all affected residents to boil their water before drinking.

The precautionary measure comes as the €6.5 million upgrade of Macroom Water Treatment Plant continues, with work having commenced in April 2025. The significant investment aims to address long-standing water quality issues that have plagued the town with frequent Boil Water Notices in recent years.

Residents can verify if their property is affected by visiting www.water.ie and entering their Eircode, or by calling the 24-hour customer care helpline on 1800 278 278. A detailed map of the affected area is available on the supply and service section of the website.

Niall O'Riordan, Uisce Éireann:

"We regret any inconvenience caused for impacted customers once again. The notice, caused by operational issues at the treatment plant, has been put in place to protect the health of customers on the Macroom Public Water Supply. Public health is our number one priority, and we would like to assure customers that we are working to lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible."

The comprehensive upgrade works, being carried out by Glanua on behalf of Uisce Éireann, are expected to be completed by summer 2026. Once finished, the improvements should significantly reduce the frequency of water quality issues that have affected the Macroom community.

Essential Actions for Residents

Water must be boiled before use for drinking, making beverages, food preparation (especially salads), teeth brushing, and ice making. Residents should discard existing ice cubes and filtered water from fridges and freezers.

For personal hygiene and bathing, tap water can be used normally, though parents should ensure children don't swallow bath water. When preparing infant formula, tap water should be boiled for one minute and cooled, or bottled water can be used following the same boiling procedure.

The water company emphasises that domestic filters will not make the water safe to drink, and hot tap water should never be consumed even when boiled water isn't available.

Vulnerable customers registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communication about such notices. The company maintains 24-hour customer service across multiple platforms, including social media channels and their dedicated helpline.