Out with the old, in with the new … year, brings security of water supply to Rosses Point

18 December 2023

Investment in water services in Sligo has continued steadily throughout 2023 as Uisce Éireann continues to prioritise local communities by upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment. 

One such community which has benefited from this investment is Rosses Point, where significant water mains replacement works have recently been completed, providing a safer more secure water supply to this West Sligo community. 

Working in partnership with Sligo County Council, Uisce Éireann recently prioritised the replacement of more than 2km of old and damaged cast iron water mains in Rosses Point. This is in addition to the 12km of old and damaged water mains replaced earlier this year in Sligo, including 3km in Strandhill, 5.5km in Kilglass, 1km in Enniscrone and 3.2km in Carrigan’s. 

Uisce Éireann is also completing leakage reduction works in Easkey, Ballysadare and Carraroe with works currently ongoing. 

Outlining the benefits, the completion of these Leakage Reduction works in Sligo will bring Patricia Lowry, Uisce Éireann Regional Lead said: “Many of the old and damaged cast iron pipes in Rosses Point were prone to bursts and high levels of leakage, causing supply challenges for homes and businesses. Replacing them with modern pipes improves water quality, reduces the volume of water lost by leakage and brings an all-round improvement to the water network for the Rosses Point community. Similarly, the completed water mains replacement works in Strandhill, Kilglass, Enniscrone and Carrigan’s has seen an improvement to both water quality and the reliability of the supply as well as reducing leakage levels.

Patricia added: “Since being involved in the Leakage Reduction Programme, I have seen first-hand how efforts to tackle leakage have benefited local residents and businesses. The very real impact of these works has been significant leakage savings and a better, more robust supply of water for the people and communities of Sligo.”

Identifying and repairing these leaks will help Uisce Éireann to achieve our 2030 goal of a national leakage rate of 25%. The national Leakage Reduction team has made great strides since 2018 when the leakage rate stood at 46%. 

Since 2018, Uisce Éireann has invested more than €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the national Leakage Reduction Programme. We are investing a further €250 million every year up to the end of 2030 - fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply. 

For more information, please visit www.water.ie/reducingleaks.