Caheroyan Avenue residents set to benefit from backyard service works

04 May 2022

The residents of Caheroyan Avenue in Athenry, will begin to see Uisce Éireann crews busy working to improve their water supply this week, as the utility gears up to begin replacing old backyard services and ageing water mains.

Backyard services are usually shared, running through several neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks and since all properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all properties usually resulting in low pressure.

In some older estates, water connections typically made of iron or lead, were installed to the rear of the property, and are often referred to as backyard service connections. The pipework due to age and deteriorating condition are a significant source of leakage and reduced levels of service.

Speaking about the works, Uisce Éireann’s Gerry O’Donnell said: “The works here in Caheroyan Avenue will be carried out by Farrans Construction in partnership with Galway County Council and on behalf of Uisce Éireann. We will replace 200 metres of water main along with the backyard services. The benefits will see improved water quality and will ensure a reliable supply of water to customers in the area. The new pipes will also eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.

“We thank the local residents for their patience and cooperation as there will be some disruption in the short term, however, on previous experiences, we know that this will be overshadowed by the longer-term benefits.”

A survey is required at each property within this community. The individual survey is undertaken to assess the current water connection arrangement for that property and discuss the best way to connect the new service to the customer’s home. 

Customers to benefit from these improvement works will be contacted directly by Farrans Construction to provide information about the required works and to discuss a suitable time to carry out an individual survey. 

The works, when they commence, may involve some short-term water interruptions and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48-hours’ notice prior to any planned water interruptions. Where water mains are being constructed traffic management may be in place during this time however local and emergency traffic will be always maintained. The works will be completed by end of June. 

We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause.

Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates, please visit our Supply and Service Updates section or set your location on our website.

Uisce Éireann has invested over €500 million between 2017 and 2021 to reduce leakage and replace old pipes on the public water network. Fixing leaks can be complicated but we are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2021 it was reduced to 38%.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.