Environment « Thurles Information

Drinking Water Quality Remains High, But EPA Warns Resilience Must Improve.

Thurles (Templetuohy Region) Named On EPA Drinking Water Remedial Action List Q4 Of 2025.

Five areas in Co. Tipperary appear on Remedial Action List; Thurles (Templetuohy); Kilcash; GalteeRegion; Clonmel Poulavanogue; Carraig-On-Suir.
The quality of drinking water from public supplies continues to be high, with 99.8% of samples compliant with standards.
The EPA’s list of ‘at-risk’ supplies has decreased from 45 supplies in 2024 to 35 supplies in 2025, serving 467,000 people.
The number of boil water notices and water restriction notices both increased during 2025, impacting almost 200,000 people.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published its Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2025 report, which shows that Ireland’s drinking water continues to meet high standards for over four million people. Compliance with microbiological limits reached 99.8%, while chemical standards were met in 99.7% of samples analysed, which means our public water is safe to drink.

Despite this good level of compliance, the EPA has identified a list of ‘at-risk’ supplies – the Remedial Action List (RAL) – where improvements are required to ensure a safe and secure drinking water supply for consumers. Ten ‘at-risk’ supplies were resolved during 2025, reflecting sustained progress by Uisce Éireann in upgrading their drinking water treatment infrastructure. However, 35 public water supplies still remain on the Remedial Action List at the end of 2025 and must be addressed as soon as possible.

Launching the report, Mr Patrick Byrne, EPA Director of the Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said:
“Public drinking water quality remains high, so people can be confident that the water supplied to their homes is safe to drink. While the EPA welcomes the reduction in the number of ‘at-risk’ supplies, EPA audits and enforcement continue to identify supplies which cannot guarantee safe and secure drinking water. Uisce Éireann must allocate necessary resources to complete the required upgrades at ‘at-risk’ supplies to ensure drinking water remains safe and public health is protected into the future.”

Water restrictions must be imposed by Uisce Eireann to protect human health when they cannot provide safe drinking water due to contamination or inadequate treatment. In 2025, 100 supplies affecting almost 200,000 consumers were impacted by boil water notices or water restriction notices, an increase from 84 supplies in 2024. Uisce Éireann must improve treatment plant resilience to respond to changing weather conditions, raw water quality or malfunctions in the treatment process, so that water restrictions are not needed in the first place.

Regarding water restrictions on drinking water supplies, Mr Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said:
“It is worrying that almost 200,000 people were affected by water restrictions in 2025. While necessary to protect public health, they are a considerable inconvenience for consumers and point to a lack of resilience in water treatment. Uisce Éireann must make water treatment plants more robust, so they can withstand treatment challenges and continue to provide a safe water supply for consumers. Where restrictions are necessary, Uisce Éireann must respond quickly so that a compliant water supply is restored as soon as possible.”

The EPA’s report also highlights wider challenges across the supply network, including the level of leakage and the replacement of lead pipe work. Thirty six percent of treated water is lost daily through leakage, and people continue to be at risk from exposure to lead in drinking water due to lead in water pipes. More action is needed by Uisce Éireann and other stakeholders to address these issues in the supply network.

The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2025 Report and the complete list of public water supplies currently ‘at risk’ (Remedial Action List) – including details of the remedial measures and associated time-frames – are available on the EPA website.

Golden Age Hollywood Star Ann Blyth Dies At The Age Of 98.

Ann (Anne) Marie Blyth, the singer and Oscar-nominated actress remembered for her unforgettable performance as Veda Pierce in the 1945 classic Mildred Pierce, has died at the age of 98.

The Hollywood Golden Age star died of natural causes on Wednesday, according to US media reports.

Blyth became widely known as Joan Crawford’s spoiled and scheming on-screen daughter in Mildred Pierce, a role she played as a teenager. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and helped make her one of the standout young stars of the era.

The film also brought Crawford the only Oscar of her career, for Best Actress, and remains one of the defining melodramas of 1940s Hollywood.

Born Ann Marie Blyth in Mount Kisco, New York, on 16 August 1928, Blyth began performing at a young age, first as a singer and stage performer before moving into films. Her soprano voice later helped her move naturally into musical roles.

Across the 1940s and 1950s, she appeared in a wide range of films, including Brute Force, Mr Peabody and the Mermaid, The Great Caruso, One Minute to Zero, The World in His Arms, The Student Prince, Kismet and The Helen Morgan Story.

Her career was briefly halted after she suffered a serious back injury in a toboggan accident, but she later returned to the screen and continued to work in film, theatre and television.

After stepping away from cinema in the late 1950s, Blyth made occasional television appearances, including roles in The Twilight Zone and Murder, She Wrote. Her final screen appearance came in a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote.

Blyth was married to James McNulty from 1953 until his death in 2007. The couple had five children. In 1973, she and her husband, both Roman Catholics were accorded the honorific rank of Lady and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Cooke.

She now leaves behind her a legacy as one of the last stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, remembered for her grace, versatility and a chilling performance in Mildred Pierce that remains a landmark of classic American cinema.

Fresh Disruption On Kickham Street, Thurles, As New Pavements Dug Up Yet Again For Fibre Works.

Residents and motorists using Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, faced fresh disruption this morning after crews moved in to carry out further fibre/telecoms-related works along the street.

Newly installed footpaths ripped up yet again, with no notice of single lane Stop & Go traffic delays by Tipperary Co. Council; by Virgin Media or by WhiteKight Civils & Utilities latter undertaking the work.

The works, understood locally to be connected with Virgin Media infrastructure, involved barriers, cones and a mini-digger fitted with a jackhammer operating immediately outside homes and businesses. The activity has caused concern among residents, particularly as the pavements affected were only newly installed in recent weeks.

Locals claim no written warning or advance notification was given to householders before machinery arrived. Residents also expressed frustration that one of the busiest routes into and out of Thurles was reduced to a single lane, creating delays and raising fears of heavier congestion later in the day, particularly when parents travel to collect children from local schools.

Concerns have also been raised about the manner in which the works were being carried out. Residents reported personnel operating in a confined roadside area, with traffic moving nearby, while householders said vibrations from the jackhammer caused homes to shake. Some also complained of difficulty contacting Tipperary County Council, with one resident claiming it took roughly 20 minutes to get through, but without receiving any satisfactory clarification. Directly on a triple junction personnel have no radios and no con saw, resulting in stop signs not in use and an incessant vibrating high pitched hammering sound.

This latest disruption follows earlier concerns reported on Thurles.info regarding fibre/telecoms cabling repairs and the lack of written notice to affected homeowners. That earlier report also highlighted questions around responsibility, communication and delays linked to fibre infrastructure in the area.

The immediate issue for Kickham Street residents is not simply the inconvenience of roadworks. It is the apparent lack of communication, the repeated disturbance to recently completed public footpaths, and the effect on householders, pedestrians, businesses and motorists.

With evening school traffic expected to add further pressure, motorists are advised to avoid the Kickham Street area where possible and use alternative routes until the works are completed.

Residents are now calling on Tipperary County Council and Virgin Media, or their appointed contractors, to explain why newly laid pavements are being disturbed, why householders were not notified in advance, and when the street will be fully restored.

Awareness Levels Of Radon And Associated Health Risks Declining.

People’s awareness levels of Radon and associated health risks is declining, says the EPA.

Radon gas is Ireland’s largest source of radiation exposure and is a leading cause of lung cancer.
A new EPA survey of attitudes toward radiation showed awareness of radon gas has dropped from 82% in 2020 to 71% in 2025.
More than half of respondents were unaware of the link between radon and lung cancer. Even when people are aware of radon gas, fewer than half are likely to test their homes.
The most significant sources of radiation exposure in Ireland arise from natural radiation in the environment, including radon, and medical exposures. However, people are more concerned about nuclear facilities abroad and damage to the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published the findings of a national survey on attitudes to radiation in Ireland. Over a thousand adults were surveyed, on behalf of the EPA, to understand public awareness of, and concerns about, radiation.

The survey indicates that only 31% of respondents are concerned about radiation. Worryingly, the findings revealed the level of awareness of radon had dropped from 82% in 2020 to 71% in 2025. Radon gas is Ireland’s leading source of radiation exposure. It accounts for more than half of the radiation dose received by the Irish population and is the leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon gas can enter your home from the ground through small cracks in floors and through gaps around pipes or cables.

The survey found most people are:-
► Not concerned about the health risk of radon.
► Unaware that radon exposure is linked to lung cancer.
► Unlikely to test their home for radon levels.

Commenting on the survey, Mr Patrick Byrne, (EPA Director of the Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring), said: “The EPA is concerned to see a decline in radon awareness, and the continued reluctance among householders to test their homes. We found that many believe that their property is not affected. This is particularly worrying given that radon is our largest source of radiation exposure and a leading cause of lung cancer. Testing for radon in your home is simple and we urge all households to take this step to protect themselves and their families. It costs about €50 and the EPA website has a list of companies that supply the monitors. Reducing you and your family’s exposure to this harmful gas can be achieved using simple and effective methods.”

The survey found that one of the top radiation-related concerns was how nuclear facilities abroad affect Ireland.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, (EPA Senior Scientific Officer), responded to this, noting: “Although our survey indicates public concern over such facilities, our research indicates that a nuclear emergency abroad would not have a significant radiological impact on Ireland. However, it is reassuring to see that the public would follow guidance from Government and expert bodies in the event of such an emergency.”

The National Radon Control Strategy which is led by the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment, brings together departments and state agencies to take action to reduce radon risk. The EPA will use the findings of this survey to strengthen its awareness work under the Strategy to drive testing and remediation to reduce radon risk to people’s health.

Tipperary Weather Advise: Exceptionally Warm Conditions Expected.

Met Éireann has issued a ‘Moderate Weather Advisory’, for Co. Tipperary as exceptionally warm weather is forecast across Ireland this week.

Temperatures possibly reaching 30°C.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise above 27°C in many areas, with temperatures possibly reaching 30°C on Thursday. Nights will also remain very mild and humid, with temperatures generally staying above 15°C. This may lead to uncomfortable sleeping conditions, particularly for older people, young children, those with health conditions and anyone living in homes that are difficult to keep cool.

Thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms are also possible, especially on Thursday, and conditions may change quickly. Residents are advised to keep an eye on the latest forecasts and official updates from Met Éireann through the met.ie website or app.

Take extra care around water.
The warm weather may increase the number of people visiting lakes, rivers, beaches and other bathing areas. Please take extra care around water. Swim only where it is safe to do so, supervise children closely at all times, and never enter the water after drinking alcohol.

Check in on vulnerable neighbours, family members and friends, especially those living alone.
Heat stress is another potential risk during this spell of warm weather. Drink plenty of water, avoid overexertion during the hottest part of the day, wear light clothing, use sunscreen and seek shade where possible.

Pet owners should also take precautions.
Make sure animals have access to shade and fresh water, and never leave pets in parked vehicles, even for a short time. Outdoor workers and sports groups should consider breaks, cooler start times and access to drinking water throughout the day where possible.

This advisory is a reminder to enjoy the fine weather safely and responsibly. Please plan ahead, stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary risks near water, and continue to monitor official weather updates over the coming days.