Site investigation work and shared backyard surveys to commence on the Wicklow Watermains Rehabilitation Project

Replacement of 20kms of aging water mains and approximately 750 shared backyard services

Irish Water will commence site investigation work on Monday, 23 January 2017 on the Wicklow Water mains Rehabilitation Project. This project will replace 20kms of aging water mains, improve the water pressure to homes and businesses and improve the security of the water supplies to communities in Wicklow. The scope of the project also includes the replacement of approximately 750 shared backyard service connections.

The first phase of the project involves site investigation work which will enable Irish Water to complete the detailed design requirements for the scheme. During the site investigation works traffic management measures will be in place and local access will be maintained at all times. Every effort will be taken to minimise disruption to residents and road users. It is not expected that the site investigation works will involve interruption to water supply.

Site investigation works on the water mains replacement will be carried out in the following areas and are expected to take seven months to complete:

Shared Backyard Services

As part of this project, Irish Water will carry out backyard watermain rehabilitation work which involves laying a new watermain in the public road and decommission the existing aging water main which runs through customers' back gardens. A new service connection pipe will be connected to customers’ properties ensuring customers have a more reliable connection to the public watermain.  Design of the new water mains is continuing and over the coming months it will be necessary to carry out surveys of a sample number of properties in the areas noted below. These surveys are being carried out in order to establish the most appropriate service replacement technique. All residents will be contacted prior to any surveys taking place and surveys will only be carried out once the homeowner is in agreement.

During an internal survey, the project team will carry out visual surveys in order to:

1. Establish the location of existing water connections in the property
2. Discuss the proposed service replacement works in detail
3. Address any concerns residents may have regarding the proposed works.

Commenting on the Wicklow Water mains Rehabilitation Project, Padraig Hanly, Infrastructure Programme Regional Lead said “The replacement of aging water mains in Wicklow will ensure customers across the county will have a more reliable and secure water supply.  Burst water mains are a common problem across the country resulting from decades of under investment in water infrastructure. This site investigation and survey work will ensure Irish Water can progress with the detailed design stage of the project to replace 20kms of aging water mains and the replacement of shared backyard services which is part of our ongoing investment in Ireland’s water infrastructure".