Significant investment announced in Clontarf with major water network upgrades to begin next week

29 April 2022

Securing the water supply in Clontarf remains a top-priority for Uisce Éireann with a major programme of improvement works set to get underway next week to drive down leakage and improve water quality and supply. The project represents a significant investment by Uisce Éireann which will essentially bring the underground water network in Clontarf into the 21st Century. The works are to be carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme.

In the past 18 months Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Dublin City Council, has already replaced over 1.5km of aged and problematic cast iron water mains in the Clontarf area with customers already enjoying a more reliable water supply and improved water quality. Cast iron water mains over time can become encrusted and can affect water quality and pressure. New, modern pipework installed as part of these improvement works in Clontarf have significantly reduced water quality and supply issues impacting the local community.

In response to the ongoing supply issues in the area, Uisce Éireann has announced a further upgrade project which is set to begin in the coming days and represents a major investment in the area. The project involves the replacement of over 6km of old cast-iron water mains with new modern pipes that will immediately improve water quality and reduce the instances of bursts, outages and low pressure affecting customers. The project will begin on Dollymount Avenue, and from there will continue on to Mount Prospect Avenue, Seafield Road, Seapark Road and Vernon Avenue, between the junctions of Mount Prospect Avenue and Seafield Road.

Highlighting the importance of this major project for Clontarf, Matt Thomson, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Uisce Éireann, said, “We are very aware of the water supply issues experienced in Clontarf and we are delighted to announce this major investment in such a beautiful part of Dublin which we are ready to deliver. Replacing these old and damaged pipes which have a long history of bursting, causing outages and low pressure to homes and businesses, will not only reduce the amount of drinking water lost to leakage, it will also significantly improve water quality for the local community as well as delivering a much more reliable supply for generations to come.

“On behalf of Uisce Éireann, I’d like thank the residents in advance for their patience and cooperation as there may be some disruption in the short term, however, based on previous experiences, we know that this will be overshadowed by the longer-term benefits.”

To minimise the impact on customers, areas of work will be limited to short sections and some traffic management will be necessary, however, local and emergency access will be maintained. The works also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customer’s water supply. The works may involve some short-term supply interruptions which we understand may cause inconvenience, however, the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water interruptions. The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by GMC Utilities Group and are expected to be completed in Autumn 2022.

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 32% by the end of 2024. For more information, please visit our National Leakage Reduction Programme project page.

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. For updates please visit the Supply and Service Updates section of our website.

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.