Uisce Eireann reaffirms boil notice areas amid ‘chaos, confusion, and concern' in Limerick

A “TECHNICAL issue” caused “widespread panic” across Limerick this Friday morning, following major confusion over which areas were affected by a boil water notice.

Limerick councillors have condemned a “serious error” on Uisce Éireann’s website, where a false notice was appearing for some people who put their eircode into the website.

A boil water notice for 11 areas across Limerick and Clare was implemented late on Thursday evening, May 15.

This boil water notice is exclusive to the following areas, as Uisce Éireann have reaffirmed in a statement to Limerick Live: Corbally, Mill Road, Moyross, Long Pavement, Westbury, Parteen, Larkins Cross, Ardnacrusha, Shannon Banks, Knocklisheen and Clonlara.

It is understood that a “technical issue” with Uisce Éireann’s website meant that unaffected areas were flagged as affected and, according to Cllr Butler, “significant alarm among residents, schools, and businesses” ensued as a result.

READ ALSO: Thousands affected by boil water notice issued for in and around Limerick city

“This morning’s events were nothing short of disgraceful,” said Cllr Butler.

“To publish such a blanket notice without verification or clarity triggered chaos, confusion, and concern among the people of Limerick. And yet, even as panic spread, Irish Water remained silent.”

Cllr. Butler criticised the organisation's lack of timely communication, calling it “a complete dereliction of duty” and “a stark reflection of the disarray within Uisce Éireann.”

“As an elected representative, I found myself fielding calls and trying to manage the fallout of a situation that Uisce Éireann should have been fully in control of. 

“It is unacceptable that residents were left to fend for themselves while the agency responsible remained absent.  The people of Limerick deserve better. 

“This isn’t just a technical glitch. It’s a serious failure in public service,” he added.

“Uisce Éireann must issue a formal apology, explain how this happened, and lay out clear steps to ensure it never happens again.”

Multiple councillors, including Cllr Butler and Cllr Seán Hartigan, are calling for an immediate investigation into the incident and for Uisce Éireann to appear before local representatives to account for the incident. 

“If Uisce Éireann cannot be trusted to manage a small local issue like this, can we trust them with delivering a €10 billion pipeline connecting the Shannon to Dublin?” Cllr Hartigan said.

“We have serious reservations about Uisce Éireann’s ability to manage this project, its impact on balanced regional development and the implications for the ecology of the river.”

On this issue, a public meeting is being held by the Green Party in the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel at 7:30pm on June 19, to discuss the proposed abstraction of water from the Shannon to supply the Dublin area.