KIlgarvan water supply removed from Remedial list

KILGARVAN’S water supply is no longer a concern for noxious THMs – trihalomethanes – with the water treatment plant now removed from the EPA’s Remedial Action List, Irish Water has announced.

The presence of THMs in the Kilgarvan supply has finally been addressed with the completion of upgrade work on the water treatment plant in a €500,000 project, the agency said.

Three schemes await completion meanwhile – Caherdaniel, Castlecove and Caragh Lake – with upgrade works underway on all three.

“Irish Water has a prioritised programme of investment for all schemes on the RAL. The current updated RAL shows a reduction from 11 to three schemes in Kerry, which is a reflection of the progress we are making” Irish Water’s Water Lead for Kerry Ian O’Mahony said.

“Upgrade works on the remaining three – Caherdaniel, Castlecove and Caragh Lake – water treatment plants is currently underway. These upgrades should facilitate the removal of these schemes from the RAL.”

The Kilgarvan upgrade involved the provision of a reservoir of a volume of 500 cubic metres and the installation of ‘in-tank aeration’, between them addressing the issues with THMs in the supply – formed when chlorine reacts with organic material in the water.

“Irish Water can take a comprehensive look at the overall performance of Ireland’s drinking-water production plants for the first time so that when the most serious problems are identified, projects and budgets can be prioritised.”