Donegal
Leakage Reduction Programme | January 2023
Much of Ireland’s water is lost to leaks before it reaches our taps
Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme is fixing leaks and replacing pipes around the country to provide a safer more sustainable water supply. This programme of works across Donegal is one example of how we are working to reduce leakage every day.
Donegal has to date a very high level of infrastructural improvements in water services, receiving vital investment to upgrade the infrastructure across the county. Uisce Éireann is committed to providing safe and secure drinking water for all and ensure treated wastewater is discharged back into the environment in a responsible manner.
A national programme with a local focus
Donegal, nested in the northwest of Ireland, at the mouth of the River Eske, and surrounded by the north Atlantic Ocean, is home to over 166,000 residents, and many more tourists throughout the year. Water is at the heart of Donegal. Since 2014, Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Donegal County Council has been working to improve the water network investing millions in the replacement of almost 150km of old watermains across the county. That’s enough pipes to cover the distance from Malin Head to Bundoran.
“Many of these old and problematic pipes were prone to bursts and high levels of leakage, causing supply challenges for homes and businesses. I have seen first-hand how our efforts to replace them with modern pipes reduces the drinking water lost to leakage, providing a more robust water supply, bringing all-round improvements for Donegal communities. Through the national Leakage Reduction Programme we have saved 53 millions of litres of clean drinking water in Donegal. We are making huge progress but of course have some road to go. We rely on the continued support of local communities across Donegal to work with us in the delivery of water conservation activities to provide a more reliable and sustainable water supply“
Declan Cawley – Uisce Éireann Regional Lead Leakage Reduction Programme
In addition to replacing problematic water mains other leakage reduction activities including ‘Find and Fix’ of leaks and ‘First Fix for Free’, have collectively supported this major reduction in water lost through leakage across county.
Ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for the whole of Donegal
Working across five municipal districts - Letterkenny, Glenties, Inishowen, Donegal and Stranorlar, Uisce Éireann, in collaboration with Donegal County Council, are continuing to drive down leakage in the areas that need it most. Through these savings, water users have assisted in conserving water which will not only result in significant water savings but will ensure security of supply for Donegal. So, whether it is for brushing your teeth, preparing your dinner, taking your medicine, or just pure refreshment, water is a vital part of our day, and it is imperative we have a reliable and secure water supply for Donegal to serve the communities that depend on it.
“Uisce Éireann and Donegal County Council have worked together to deliver on the programmes targeted at reducing leakage across Donegal. This was very much a collaborative effort and we have worked seamlessly together to identify the worst performing sections of the network, replacing them and bringing huge benefits to homes and businesses in the local communities.“
Aisling Quigley, Acting Senior Executive Engineer with the Drinking Water Team, Water Capital Office in Donegal County Council
Replacing Backyard Services to improve water quality for Donegal homeowners
A strategic programme to replace old back yard water mains and services in Donegal is underway to reduce leakage and improve water quality. In some older properties, water connections typically made of iron or lead, were often installed to the rear of the property. In addition to the health concerns around lead, the age and deteriorating condition of the pipework can cause major supply disruptions in these communities and are a significant source of leakage.
Backyard services are usually shared, running through a number of neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Where properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all connected properties, resulting in low pressure and/or outages. These back yard service projects are only successful if all customers on a shared water connection support and facilitate these vital works so that the old and leaking mains can be decommissioned.
Over 100 back yard services have been replaced in Letterkenny, Ballyshannon and Milford. In total, over 500 lead service connections have been replaced throughout Donegal, with many more planned in 2023.
Finding and fixing leaks can be complicated
With an enormous number of underground pipes and thousands of joints and connections on a network that is ageing and fragile fixing leaks can be complicated. Repairing bursts on the water network is disruptive but easy to find as the water surfaces above ground. Leaks are a greater challenge as they are underground and therefore not visible.
Through a strategic targeted approach to active leak detection, repairs are then carefully planned. Find and fix crews have repaired thousands of leaks across Donegal over the course of the Leakage Reduction Programme saving thousands of litres of water that otherwise would have been lost underground.
Providing a more reliable water supply across Donegal
Tackling the complex challenge of leakage requires delivery of a number of different work streams which collectively reduce leakage, improve water quality and provide a safer more reliable water supply for Donegal homes and businesses.