Mains replacement works will promote social and economic development in Tralee

13 May 2022

Set in the shadows of the Slieve Mish Mountains, Tralee has been the cultural and commercial capital of the kingdom for decades, with a strong variety of successful global Foreign Direct Investment and local companies keeping the economic engine room of the Kerry economy fuelled through the good times and bad. 

Crucial to these successful businesses is a robust water supply and Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Kerry County Council, is working to improve this supply on a continuous basis. The utility is again replacing ageing water mains, this time, in the Spa Road area of the town. 

The works will commence next week and will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke Limited and are expected to be completed in early July 2022.

Speaking about the works, Steven Blennerhassett, who is Uisce Éireann’s Programme Delivery Lead said;

“It is really positive that we continue to carry out these water mains improvement works. We have previously been in Balloonagh Estate, Mountain Close, St. Josephs Estate and Michael O’Flynn Terrace in Tralee, so the work around the town has been significant. The pipework, due to age and deteriorating condition are a significant source of leakage and reduced levels of service so it is good to be able to rectify that.

The section of works will take place along the Spa Road between the entrance to The Kerries housing estate and the Junction of the Spa Road and Strand Street. The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.

Customers to benefit from these improvement works will be contacted directly by Ward and Burke Construction to provide information about the required works and to discuss a suitable time to carry out an individual survey. 

Steven also outlined that the short-term inconvenience would bring long term benefits to customers;

“The works, when they commence, may involve some short-term water shut offs and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48-hours’ notice prior to any planned water shut offs. Where water mains are being constructed traffic management may be in place during this time. Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained. 

“The long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term inconvenience, with a more reliable, reduced leakage, much improved water quality being the main benefits for the customers. For Uisce Éireann and our colleagues in Kerry County Council, there will also be a reduction in Operational and Maintenance costs, which is also a win for the public.”

Residents and businesses in the areas to benefit from the planned improvements will be notified directly and customers can phone Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 if they have any questions about the project. 

Uisce Éireann regrets any inconvenience these necessary water network improvements may cause. Details of any supply interruptions associated to this project will be updated regularly on the Supply and Service Updates section of our website.

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

This project is one example of how Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Local Authorities to provide a more reliable water supply and reduce leakage.  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 reduced to 38%.