Laying the groundwork for new homes in Galway city

Galway is a vibrant and growing city, and as more people choose to live, work and raise families here, the need for new homes continues to increase. 

Through our Accelerated Growth programme, Uisce Éireann is focusing on providing the essential water and wastewater assets to enable homes to be built in areas identified for future residential development. 

Upcoming works in the east of the city will unlock development opportunities, support local communities and ensure Galway remains an attractive place for people to live, work and raise a family. 

James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, welcomed the commencement of works as evidence of the Government's commitment to providing the essential water services required to drive home-building.  

“This programme of Accelerated Growth will provide a significant boost to the capacity of the water network to the east of Galway city, laying the groundwork for new residential developments in the near future,” said Minister Browne. “As a Government, we are dedicated to strengthening the water and wastewater services necessary to build new homes, at scale, in the places they are most needed.” 

Works are due to begin in the coming weeks on the installation of new water mains at the Ballyloughane Road. These new mains will stretch from the Old Dublin Road to the Galway-Dublin railway line, a distance of 680 metres. The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke. 

Once these works are complete, another project will commence on the Doughiska Road. Here, approximately 800 metres of new mains will be laid along the Doughiska Road, from the junction with the Monivea Road to the turn-off for Fearann Rí estate. 

These new mains are being installed to support future housing developments planned for the Murrough and Ardaun areas of Galway city, which is one of five cities, and the only one in the north-west region, identified as priority locations for investment and set to benefit from the Government’s additional €2 billion funding programme announced as part of the National Development Plan. 

In addition, an upgrade of the Ballybane Pumping Station is set to get underway, further strengthening the water network that serves the city. These works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Coffeys Construction Limited. 

Michael McManus, Uisce Éireann Programme Manager, added: “We’re all aware of the urgent need for new homes to be built in major urban centres like Galway city. With these new projects about to break ground, Uisce Éireann is demonstrating its commitment to customers and communities by delivering the vital infrastructure needed to support new residential development.” 

These works will require traffic management measures, but we want to ensure that these cause as little disruption as possible for residents, businesses and road users. At points where traffic flows are heaviest, such as the junction of the Old Dublin Road with the Ballyloughane Road, works will be carried out at night to limit disruption. 

During daytime works, stop/go traffic management systems will be in effect. Local, emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. 

Customers can stay informed about their local water service by checking the supply and service section of our website, checking our live feed at X @IWCare, or signing up to receive real-time text updates. Our customer care team is also available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.