Drumshanbo welcomes crews delivering improved water quality

12 August 2022

Uisce Éireann crews will arrive in Drumshanbo next week as they continue to improve the water supply across Co Leitrim. 

A half a kilometre of cast iron water main, running along the L-33846 and the R208 Ballinamore Road, will be replaced bringing homes an improved quality of water. 

Locals will be familiar with the area as the stretch of road from Hilly Road Junction to St Patrick’s National School via the Old National School and Presbytery/ School Hill. 

These works are the latest in a list of Uisce Éireann leakage reduction projects in the county. In the past year alone, works were completed at Hilly Road in Drumshanbo, Keshcarrigan, Newtownmanor and crews are currently working on projects in the Kiltyhugh to Derrinver and Kiltoghert to Kilnagross areas. 

Networks Regional Lead for Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme Declan Cawley explained the benefits of these latest works. 

“Removing existing old cast iron from the public water network in Drumshanbo and replacing it with new pipes will improve the quality of water. This project will also reduce bursts and interruptions to the supply and save clean drinking water from being lost underground.” 

Farrans Construction, the contractor delivering the project on behalf of Uisce Éireann, is expected to have the works completed in September of this year. 

To facilitate the safe delivery of the project, temporary traffic light will be in place, but motorists can be assured that areas of works will be limited to short sections to minimise impact. 

Uisce Éireann customers may experience some short-term interruptions to their water supply, but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned interruption.

“We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient for local residents but work crews will make every effort to minimise any disruptions these necessary works cause. We thank the community for their continued co-operation and patience,” explained Declan.  

Customers with questions about the project can call Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or contact us on Twitter @IWCare. For further updates please see the Uisce Éireann website.

Uisce Éireann is working with local Authorities across the country to reduce leakage and provide customers with a more reliable water supply.  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 38% and now we are on track to achieve a national leakage rate of 25% by the end of 2030.

Since 2018, Uisce Éireann has invested more than €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the Leakage Reduction Programme. We are investing a further €250 million every year up to the end of 2030 - fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply.

For more information please visit our National Leakage Reduction Programme page.