Calls for direct water-outage alerts from Uisce Éireann amid mounting frustration in County Limerick

LIMERICK councillors have called for a formal, real-time communication system between Uisce Éireann and elected members, citing what they describe as chronic water outages, poor information flow and a growing disconnect between local representatives and the national utility.

Cllr Noreen Stokes who raised the motion which was seconded by Cllr Martin Ryan said she brought this to the October meeting in Cappamore/Kilmallock because “every second day, every second hour, the water is off. There's a problem. There's a pipe broken. There's something broken.”

She continued: “We have people ringing us around the clock and it seems to be normally on Saturdays and Sundays so what I am asking is that... Uisce Éireann be made responsible because going forward from 2026, Limerick City and County Council may not have any caretakers with Uisce Éireann. It'll be all Uisce Éireann's responsibility so for Uisce Éireann to take responsibility for the water, it is up to them to put something in place to tell us... what is going on.”

Cllr Martin Ryan added that there is going to be a “disconnect” with Uisce Éirean taking more control.“There needs to be something even simply like a WhatsApp group set up amongst councillors and the Irish Water staff... so that people will know on the ground what's going on.”

READ MORE: The salmon of knowledge and the former Limerick lecturer who caught it

He described parts of the Doon, Oola, Pallasgreen and Cappamore water network as “a shambles” and said it would remain that way “for a while to come.”

Cllr Elisa O’Donovan noted that communication in the metropolitan area was “just not functioning whatsoever,” highlighting frequent issues with discoloured water and burst mains.

Cllr Shane Hickey O’Meara recalled persistent problems during his time working in Cappamore–Kilmallock.

“It is an area where I've never seen the issues with water like it. I mean, it was constantly discoloured or it'd be gone... It's the major issue in the Residents Association WhatsApp group I'm in. We need a better way of communicating with people because when something happens, when water goes, people panic and it's not good enough.”

In the Adare–Rathkeale district, Cllr John O’Donoghue said there had been 114 outages in Croom over the past two years.

“We had a huge issue out in Croom where we ran a pipe out from Patrickswell and we connected it up and everything is all rosy except for the last couple of days, my phone is on fire. 114 outages in the last two years on a power outlet and we can't seem to control it all and only for one local engineer. I'm wasting my time,” added Cllr O'Donoghue.

“Uisce won’t talk to us—we’re the bottom of their shoe. There’s a complete disconnect... and I am very afraid of what happens when local engineers are gone.”

Cllr Brigid Teefy said they need communication so they can tell locals what the problem is. “I know in East Limerick there's been particular problems ongoing for a long time so we do need communication.”

Cllr Martin Ryan added: “The Doon Oola side, we get every second day, we get a message on our phone, water outage and different places... We're heading for bad times ahead with water and water quality is detrimental as well. They're all affected when one is wrong.”

Cllr Elena Secas offered a contrasting view. “In terms of communication in fairness to Uisce Éireann, they have come a long way,” she said, noting improvements in notifications and online alerts.