By Peter Ringlever
April 2000 - updated November 2011
Lough Eirk
Something we cannot do without is our drinking water.
Without water life on this planet would not exist, water is important to our health
therefore our drinking water must be controlled and managed.
We take it for granted that we have it in abundance and flowing freely from our taps
every time we need it, for ourselves, our animals, our garden and for sanitary purposes.
| I asked the water manager Frank Sheehan to take me to the source of the Kenmare
drinking water and show me how it is collected, treated and distributed to the
Kenmare area and how quality is maintained.Frank picked me up last week and drove me out to the Killarney road from where we
went up the mountain by foot, heading for Lake Eirk.
I was very happy to be in a reasonable good condition because the 45 minutes walk up
hill is not be taken lightly. |
 Crystal clear water |
During the walk up I got more and more respect for the walkers and at the same time
understood the success of the Kenmare walking festival.
When you get to the top ( this was only a small mountain ) the reward is waiting, stunning
views, fresh air, peace, tranquillity and a sense about yourself in this beautiful part of the country.
While walking up you get this feeling of curiosity about the lake and what it is like
when you get to the top ridge,
when we got there I really enjoyed the view over the mountain lake called “ Eirk “.
Stunning views
 Chlorination control | Our drinking water reservoir lies tucked away in a glacier pocket, crystal clear water,
no pollution, no farming, no fertiliser, no litter, no people.
The quality of water in the lake is ideal, with a PH of 6.5 and pollution free the water
is excellent. It is taken by pipe out from the lake to flow into a small brook to the collection point a mile down. At this point the water is screen filtered and piped to a storage buffer tank from where it travels to the control point on the hospital road. In this house a small computer monitors the water and chlorination takes place. Chlorinating the water is done to stamp out bacterial growth and is required by law. This is the only treatment done to the water which already is of high quality. |
The quality control is in first instance done by Frank Sheehan, he walks the water
supply every week, up the mountain, the lake, pipes, and checks for leaks.
On a daily basis he controls the chlorination and once a month a sample is taken and sent off for testing.
The health department also checks the quality once in a while, independent from
the local authorities, all ensuring our drinking water to be what it is today.
Sometimes the water appears “milky” - there is nothing to worry about when this
occurs, air gets trapped in the pipes somehow and comes out via your tap mixed in the
water, this gives a milky effect, when you leave your glass of water rest for a few seconds the air will rise.
 |
 Water intake |
| Some old piping ( cast iron ) was all replaced in 2007 to improve the system and screen filters will be improved and quality maintained . |  Crystal clear water |
Usage is 1,250 cubic metres a day.
This demand will go up in the future together with the expansion
of the greater Kenmare area and the expansion of household appliances in use.
At the moment the total Kenmare area system is under review and changes are pending.
 |
Peter Ringlever |
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