National Leakage Reduction Programme
Much of Ireland's drinking water is lost to leaks before it reaches our taps. To conserve this precious resource, we have invested €2 billion to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the Leakage Reduction Programme. We are continuing this work with over €1 billion in further investment up to the end of 2029 - fixing leaks and replacing pipes to improve service and provide a more reliable water supply.
The challenge of leaks so far
Every day we currently lose about 36% of our treated water through leaks before it even reaches our taps. Leaks can be difficult to find because they happen in the vast and complex network of pipes below ground. Many of these pipes are now old and damaged and need to be repaired or replaced to improve our water quality and supply. Despite the challenges, we are making progress. Leakage levels are now at their lowest ever, with water loss reduced from 49% in 2014 to 36% nationally.
Our plan for Ireland
As part of the national Leakage Reduction Programme, we're working across the country to repair bursts and fix underground leaks. Our leakage reduction crews are working hard to find and fix leaks nationwide to provide a more secure and reliable water supply. View our videos below to find out more about the Leakage Reduction Programme and what we're doing to reduce leakage across Ireland.
How we're reducing leakage across Ireland
There are different types of work streams involved in the Leakage Reduction Programme which collectively drive leakage down.
National Leakage Levels
Uisce Éireann's Leakage Reduction Programme is a massive national initiative to repair bursts, replace aging water mains, and reduce treated water lost through underground leaks. Our primary goal is to drive leakage rates down to economically sustainable levels.
In line with the Drinking Water Directive, the below table summarises leakage performance across Water Resource Zones supplying more than 10 megalitres per day. National leakage reduction targets are set by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Ireland will have to by the end of 2029 develop a leakage reduction action plan which will be sent to the EU Commission.
| Water Resource Zone | County | 2025 Net Leakage (%) | 2025 Net Leakage (MLD) | 2025 Non-Revenue Water (m3/km/y) |
| Athlone | Westmeath | 33.2% | 3.16 | 6,177 |
| Ballina | Mayo | 38.9% | 4.77 | 2,883 |
| Carlow North | Carlow | 27.6% | 3.52 | 3,277 |
| Carrick-on-Shannon | Leitrim | 28.7% | 3.32 | 1,930 |
| Cavanhill and North Louth | Louth | 28.5% | 6.35 | 3,614 |
| Lough Guitane | Kerry | 42.3% | 15.16 | 4,787 |
| Cork City | Cork | 35.7% | 44.71 | 8,906 |
| East Waterford | Waterford | 38.0% | 11.62 | 7,286 |
| Ennis | Clare | 36.6% | 4.05 | 5,883 |
| Ennis / Shannon | Clare | 43.4% | 5.54 | 5,559 |
| Galtee Regional | Tipperary | 63.8% | 8.01 | 5,452 |
| Greater Dublin Area | Dublin / Kildare / Wicklow | 29.5% | 186.51 | 7,513 |
| Kilkenny City | Kilkenny | 24.5% | 2.50 | 3,721 |
| Letterkenny and Inishowen | Donegal | 43.2% | 13.40 | 3,421 |
| Limerick City | Limerick | 30.0% | 13.65 | 5,751 |
| Listowel | Kerry | 41.6% | 5.54 | 4,560 |
| Lough Corrib - Galway City | Galway | 37.7% | 27.73 | 7,839 |
| Lough Mask and Westport | Mayo | 42.6% | 17.55 | 4,287 |
| Mullingar Regional | Westmeath | 40.5% | 7.67 | 3,451 |
| Navan-Mid Meath | Meath | 26.3% | 3.24 | 2,915 |
| Shannon Estuary | Clare | 9.5% | 1.81 | 5,790 |
| Sligo Town and Environs | Sligo | 39.0% | 6.02 | 4,698 |
| South Louth and East Meath | Louth / Meath | 31.9% | 11.24 | 4,567 |
| West Clare | Clare | 37.7% | 5.91 | 4,259 |
| Wexford Town | Wexford | 33.1% | 7.81 | 3,328 |
| Mid Kerry | Kerry | 55.7% | 5.66 | 5,812 |
| Total WRZs DI>10MLD | 33.0% | 427.04 | 5,601 | |
| Total WRZs DI<10MLD | 40.1% | 218.97 | 2,502 |
Net Leakage (Real Losses) = leakage in the distribution system
Non-Revenue Water = the difference between the volume of water entering the distribution system and the volume of water supplied to Customers
At a national level, Uisce Éireann is striving to drive down leakage levels to achieve the following:
- All Water Supply Zones: From 49% (2014) to 31% (2034)
The Story of Water
'The Story Of Water' is a documentary that focuses on the critical value of our most precious natural resource and the current state of Ireland's public water network. View our chapter on leakage below.
Free leak repairs
First Fix Free is our scheme for repairing leaks on customers properties across Ireland. We'll investigate if you have a leak in your external supply pipe and fix it for free if we find one. So far, an estimated *192 million litres of water per day has been saved as a result of this scheme to the end of H1 2022.
*First Fix Leak Repair Scheme For Domestic Water Customers six monthly Report - H1, 2022.
How you can help
One of the challenges is finding leaks in the first place which is where we need your help.
News and Updates
Find out all the latest news and updates on our Leakage Reduction Programme across the country
Vulnerable Customer Services
Stay Safe
Uisce Éireann staff and contractors will always identify themselves and show you their identity card. If you are unsure, please refuse access and call us on 1800 278 278 to confirm or visit our Stay Safe page.
