If you live in Midleton, East Cork, you’ve probably already had enough of being told to boil your water every single day. But this isn’t just a short-term problem. Midleton is currently the worst-affected town in Ireland when it comes to long-term Boil Water Notices (BWNs)—and it’s not going away anytime soon.
❗ Why Is Midleton Under a Boil Water Notice?
The problem stems from the Whitegate Regional Water Supply, which serves Midleton and surrounding areas like Cloyne, Aghada, and Saleen.
Here's what's causing the issue:
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Turbidity in the water: This means the raw water is too cloudy for proper disinfection.
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Outdated water treatment infrastructure: The Whitegate/Kilva plant can’t cope with modern water quality standards.
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Heavy rainfall and changing climate patterns are making the situation worse.
As a result, Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water), along with the HSE and EPA, issued a full Boil Water Notice back in October 2023—and it’s still in place well into mid-2025.
🛑 What Does a Boil Water Notice Mean for You?
If you're in Midleton, every drop of tap water you use must be boiled for at least 1 minute before you:
✅ Drink it
✅ Brush your teeth
✅ Cook food
✅ Wash fruit or salad
✅ Make baby formula
✅ Fill pet bowls
🚫 Filtering the water is NOT enough on its own. You must boil it to remove bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
💸 The Hidden Costs for Midleton Households
Boiling water every day isn’t just inconvenient—it’s expensive.
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Electricity bills are rising from constant kettle usage
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Families are spending €50–€60/month on bottled water
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There’s growing frustration, with some residents calling for compensation for the ongoing disruption
As local representative Mr. David Stanton said, this situation is “completely unfair to Midleton residents.”
🔧 What's Being Done About It?
Uisce Éireann has committed to a €22 million upgrade of the Whitegate treatment plant. This includes:
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Modern filters and disinfection systems
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A full rebuild of the plant to handle increased turbidity
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Projected completion in late 2026
👉 Until then, Midleton will likely remain under a Boil Water Notice unless temporary solutions are rolled out.
📢 What You Can Do Now
Here’s how Midleton residents can protect themselves:
🔹 Always boil water before use
🔹 Discard ice and re-make with boiled water
🔹 Sign up for alerts on water.ie
🔹 Report any water quality issues immediately
🔹 Push local representatives to demand faster action or compensation
🏡 Want a Safer Drinking Water Setup?
Boiling water every day isn’t sustainable for most households. If you're looking for added peace of mind, consider installing a reverse osmosis or under-sink water filtration system designed to enhance safety and taste.
👉 Browse EcoFilter’s Drinking Water Filter Systems – trusted by homes across Ireland for clean, great-tasting water.
🚨 Final Thoughts: Midleton Deserves Better
Midleton has been the epicentre of Ireland’s water quality crisis, and residents are rightfully frustrated. As the Boil Water Notice drags into its second year, it’s crucial to stay informed, stay safe, and continue pushing for real, timely infrastructure improvements.
At EcoFilter, we’re committed to helping Irish households navigate water quality issues. If you’re in Midleton and want a safe, reliable drinking water solution, reach out to us today.
