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Ahascragh customers enjoying more reliable water supply following mains replacement works

18 December 2020

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Galway County Council, are happy to announce that 850 metres of problematic, old watermains in Ahascragh that were prone to frequent bursts and leakage which caused water supply disruptions for customers in the area have been successfully replaced with new high density polyethylene (plastic) pipes.

The mains are on the L74151 and customers in this area can now enjoy an improved water supply with less disruption. Farran’s Construction Ltd carried out the work on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

This project is one example of how Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Galway County Council to reduce leaks every day. Fixing leaks can be complicated with over 63,000km of water pipe in Ireland. Most leaks aren’t visible, resulting in precious water being lost but we are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2019 it was 42% and we are currently on course to achieving a national leakage rate of 38% by 2021.

Commenting on the project Dave Murphy, Uisce Éireann said: “This mains replacement work is part of a significant investment by Uisce Éireann to upgrade the water network in Galway and we would like to thank the local customers for their cooperation and patience while we completed this essential job.

The National Leakage Reduction Programme helps provide a more reliable water supply to Irish communities by reducing high levels of leakage and improving water quality. Its delivery represents an investment of over €500 million between 2017 and 2021 to reduce leakage and replace old pipes on the water network.

Uisce Éireann continues to work at this time with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services. Uisce Éireann would like to remind people to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.

For more information on reducing leaks visit National Leakage Reduction Programme page.