For ten days, almost 11,500 people in Co Tipperary were told not to drink the water coming from their taps. The notice covered Ardfinnan and nearby areas. That warning has now been lifted. The boil water notice is still in force, and it is the one that matters most day to day.
If you are a parent, this story is close to home. Aluminium is a metal that can be a particular concern for young children and for people with underlying health conditions when levels are high. That is why this notice was taken seriously.
Why was there a do not consume water notice in Tipperary?
Uisce Éireann says process issues at the Goatenbridge plant caused intermittent spikes in aluminium levels in early September. Experts worked to resolve the problem, but several automatic shutdowns followed. To prevent further shutdowns and keep water flowing for sanitation, safety features were disabled. That meant the water was no longer safe to drink. The utility says it stayed in close contact with the Health Service Executive throughout.
Why does aluminium matter in drinking water?
Aluminium is used in water treatment to bind and draw out impurities. Treatment works add it on purpose, so the metal itself is not the issue. The concern arises when levels in the finished water rise too high. Records obtained under Freedom of Information by local councillor Máirín McGrath showed levels well above the limits set by the EU and the World Health Organisation in the weeks after the problem first appeared.
Is the Tipperary do not consume water notice lifted?
Yes. Uisce Éireann says it has completed critical upgrades at the plant. It also carried out a flushing programme across the network and took comprehensive water samples at the plant and across the regional network over the weekend. The HSE has advised that there is little known risk from short-term exposure at the levels recorded at Goatenbridge. The do not consume notice was lifted after those steps were completed.
Why is the boil water notice still in place in Tipperary?
The area has been under a boil water notice for four months. It was also under a similar notice for several months last winter. Uisce Éireann says testing and monitoring will continue, and it will work with the HSE to lift the boil notice once it is safe to do so. Until that happens, boil tap water before drinking it and follow the latest advice from Uisce Éireann and the HSE.
What have residents in Tipperary said about the disruption?
Many local people say they are tired of repeated problems. The do not consume notice was missed by many people when it was first issued. Early deliveries of bottled water were poorly organised, and some households collected large amounts while others received nothing. Tom O’Mahony, whose coffee shop in Ardfinnan closed over concerns for customers, said the community needs honest communication and realistic timelines. Ardfinnan community council has complained to Uisce Éireann on residents’ behalf and plans a meeting for affected households and businesses.
Can a home water filter help with water notices in Tipperary?
A public notice is an official instruction, and it should be followed in full, whatever a household has installed. For families who want more control over the water they drink every day, reverse osmosis filtration is one option to consider. The ArkkZ Water Filtration System uses reverse osmosis and is available from Renewell Water, which is Ireland’s Number 1 rated water filtration company. You can read our customer feedback here.
Sources:
- The Irish Times, “Co Tipperary town told not to drink water due to excessive aluminium content”, 16 October 2026
- The Irish Times, “Warning not to drink water affected by aluminium in Tipperary lifted but boil notice stays”, 19 October 2026
- GoLoud Player, “‘Do not consume’ water notice issued for Tipperary & Waterford - are you affected?”
- Facebook post by Cllr Máirín McGrath, 14th October, https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1740210034774165&set=a.356038716524644
