Final phase of major project to deliver an improved water supply to Southeast Meath underway
12 February 2024
Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section.
Restrictions needed to safely connect the new pipeline
Uisce Éireann has commenced the final phase of a major project to upgrade and improve the water supply in Southeast Meath. The Windmill Hill Reservoir and Trunk Watermain to Ratoath Project will ensure that there is enough treated water storage to supply these communities during bursts or high demand, providing a more reliable water supply for current and future generations.
As part of the project, Uisce Éireann has replaced more than 7km of old and damaged water mains that were prone to frequent bursts and leakage, with these new pipes coming into operation shortly. The project also includes the construction of a new state-of-the-art 4.7 million litre treated water storage reservoir adjacent to the existing Windmill Hill Reservoir with 70% of these works already complete.
To safely connect the new trunk main to the existing water network, the water supply will need to be switched off temporarily at a number of locations. To support impacted customers, direct notifications have been arranged in advance.
These connection works may result in supply interruptions for Fox Hall Estate, Ratoath on 14 February from 9am to 2pm and for Foxbrook Estate, Ratoath on 15 February from 9am to 2pm.
To reduce the impact on customers during the day, there will be an overnight outage at 10pm on Tuesday, 20 February until 2am the following morning (Wednesday, 21 February) impacting Ashbourne. The areas affected will include Ashbourne, Dunreagh, Miltown, Robertstown, Archerstown, Donaghmore, Greenoge, Bullstown, Muckerstown, Ballaghaweary, Masspool, Newtown Commons, Ballybin, Mabestown, Baytown, Rath, Wotton, Fleenstown Little, Fleenstown Great, Kilrue, Harlockstown, Baltrasna, Killegland, Cookstown, Ballmacarney and surrounding areas.
Michael Conniffe, Uisce Éireann, said, “We are now commencing the final phase of this critical project that will provide a more reliable water supply for existing homes and businesses in Ratoath, Kilbride and Ashbourne. The project will also support social and economic growth and development in areas which have seen significant growth in recent years."
"These outages are necessary for us to safely complete the final phase of this essential project and we would like to thank the local community, businesses and representative groups who have worked with us throughout this project for their patience.”
As per best practice, most homes and businesses will have on-site water storage to provide a backup source of water for sanitation purposes, however, we understand that this is not always the case. Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann receive direct communications for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.
Uisce Éireann would like to thank the community for their continued patience and cooperation while we deliver the final stages of this essential project. Uisce Éireann will continue to closely monitor the supply in Ratoath, Kilbride and surrounding areas until the new reservoir and pipework is operational.
The Windmill Hill Reservoir and Trunk Watermain to Ratoath project is just one of a number of strategically important projects to increase the security and resilience of the drinking water supply across County Meath. Uisce Éireann is also progressing plans to increase the storage capacity at Staleen Water Treatment Plant with the construction of a new, 8 million litre treated water storage reservoir which will provide a sustainable and reliable drinking water supply in the Navan/Mid Meath and East Meath region for generations to come.
The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Uisce Éireann website.