Milford residents next to benefit from works to drive down leakage in Donegal
09 June 2022
The residents of Upper Mount Marian, Milford in Donegal, will begin to see Uisce Éireann crews busy working to improve their water supply, as the utility gears up to begin replacing old backyard services and ageing watermains.
Backyard services are usually shared, running through several neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks and since all properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all properties usually resulting in low pressure.
In some older estates, water connections typically made of iron or lead, were installed to the rear of the property, and are often referred to as backyard service connections. The pipework due to age and deteriorating condition are a significant source of leakage and reduced levels of service.
Speaking about the works, Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead Declan Cawley said: “The works here in Upper Mount Marian, Milford will be carried out by Farrans Construction in partnership with Donegal County Council and on behalf of Uisce Éireann. We will replace 240 metres of watermain along with the backyard services. The benefits will see improved water quality and will ensure a reliable supply of water to customers in the area. The new pipes will also eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.
“This mains work is part of a significant investment by Uisce Éireann to upgrade the water network in Donegal and we would like to thank customers in advance for their cooperation and patience while we complete this essential job.”
A survey is required at each property within this community. The individual survey is undertaken to assess the current water connection arrangement for that property and discuss the best way to connect the new service to the customer’s home.
Customers to benefit from these improvement works will be contacted directly by Farrans Construction to provide information about the required works and to discuss a suitable time to carry out an individual survey.
The works, when they commence, may involve some short-term water interruptions and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48-hours’ notice prior to any planned water interruptions. Where watermains are being constructed traffic management may be in place during this time however local and emergency traffic will be always maintained. The works will be completed by end of July 2022.
We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause.
Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates, please visit the Supply and Service Updates section of or set your location on our website.
Uisce Éireann has invested over €500 million between 2017 and 2021 to reduce leakage and replace old pipes on the public water network. We are investing a further € 250 million every year up to the end of 2030. 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%. We are on track to achieve a national leakage rate of 25% by the end of 2030.
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.