Delivering a more reliable water supply for communities across Cork County

Since 2014, Uisce Éireann has invested close to €100 million to replace over 250km of water mains, roughly the distance from Mizen Head to Athlone, to strengthen the water network across Cork County.

From the Wild Atlantic coastline to towns and rural villages, Uisce Éireann is improving water services across the county by upgrading the pipes people rely on every day.

For customers, this means fewer bursts and leaks, less disruption, and a more reliable water supply that better supports daily life, while helping to protect treated water supplies.

Kevin Murphy, Portfolio Delivery Manager for Uisce Éireann’s Leakage Reduction Programme, said the scale of investment and progress across the county reflects a strong, sustained commitment to improving water services: 

“Cork County’s underground water network is one of the largest and most complex in the country, serving hundreds of thousands of people.  Replacing over 250km of water mains across the county is a significant undertaking and while the work is complex and takes careful planning and coordination, it is delivering real improvements for communities.”

“With the work we are doing, we can see that each section of upgraded pipe helps improve water supply, reduce leakage and strengthen the underground pipe network people rely on every day.”  

“Much of the network was installed decades ago, and as pipes age, they become more prone to leaks and bursts. Alongside targeted leak detection, Uisce Éireann is replacing older pipes with modern infrastructure, supporting long-term reliability and future growth.”

“Water mains rehabilitation is about building a resilient network that communities can rely on for generations to come.”

The Leakage Reduction Programme continues to make a difference on the ground in 2026, with communities in Freemount, Millstreet, Macroom and Lisgoold already seeing the benefits of a more reliable supply. Works underway in Adrigole, Baltimore, Garryvoe and Youghal will bring similar improvements. 

Uisce Éireann has 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 in the network by the end of 2029. Fixing leaks can be complicated, but we are making progress. Leakage levels are now at their lowest ever, with water loss reduced from 49% in 2014 to 36% nationally.

The Cork County Case Study is available to view here.

Selection of Leakage Reduction Programme works completed in 2026 in Cork County 

• Millstreet LRP – Minehill 5.8km.
• Macroom LRP – Codrum 500 metres.
• Lisgoold LRP – Walshtown 650 metres.
• Freemount LRP - 636 metres.
• Sheens Forge LRP – Churchtown  809 metres.

Selection of Leakage Reduction Programme works in progress in 2026 in Cork County 

• Adrigole LRP – 2.5km - mains replacement works are taking place along the R574 from the Adrigole Bridge to the Water Treatment Plant and Reservoir.
• Baltimore - 290 metres – mains replacement works are taking place at Beacon Road.
• Garryvoe – 1.1km - Works are taking place between Garryvoe Lower and Garryvoe.
• Youghal - 1.47km - Works will take place along the L3807 Quarry Road and L9500 Copperalley Road.
• Ballymacoda – 700 metres – Works ongoing along R633, Ladysbridge Road.