Major Water Main Burst Disrupts Cork City Supply
Low pressure and discolouration reported in Blackrock, Beaumont areas. Run taps 20 mins to clear.
Uisce Éireann is working to restore normal water pressure across Cork City following a significant burst main west of Glounthaune village that has left thousands of residents dealing with low pressure and discoloured water.
The infrastructure failure has impacted several areas of Cork City, with Blackrock and Beaumont among the worst affected neighbourhoods. Customers across the network are experiencing reduced water pressure, temporary discolouration, and intermittent supply disruptions.
The burst occurred on Thursday morning, with repair crews immediately dispatched to the site west of Glounthaune. The damaged main serves as a crucial supply line feeding into Cork City's water network, explaining the widespread impact across multiple residential areas.
Residents encountering discoloured water are advised to run their cold kitchen tap for up to 20 minutes, which typically restores the water to a clear colour. The water remains safe to drink once it runs clear, according to Uisce Éireann guidance.
Duane O'Brien, Regional Technical Operations Manager, Uisce Éireann said:
"We understand the inconvenience of an unplanned outage and we thank customers for their support while repair works continue."
The discolouration stems from sediment, including naturally occurring metals such as manganese and iron, becoming dislodged from older cast iron pipes during pressure fluctuations. This is a common occurrence during major network disruptions and poses no health risk once the water runs clear.
Customers experiencing persistent discolouration issues can contact Uisce Éireann's customer care team on 1800 278 278 or report problems through their dedicated online form specifically for Cork City discolouration issues.
Vulnerable customers registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications for any planned or unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. The utility company maintains 24/7 customer support and provides real-time updates through multiple channels, including their website, social media accounts, and a free text alert service.
Regular updates on the repair progress are available on the Water Supply Updates section of water.ie, with customers encouraged to check for the latest information as work continues.
