Strandhill looks forward to improved water supply
03 March 2022
Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Sligo County Council, is decommissioning approximately 3km of old cast iron watermains in Strandhill to provide a more safe and secure water supply for customers in the area. The ageing cast iron watermains are being replaced with new high density polyethylene (plastic) pipes. The works will provide improved water quality, a more safe and secure supply while reducing the high level of leakage and bursts in the area.
Outlining the benefits of the Leakage Reduction Programme works in Strandhill Declan Cawley, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Uisce Éireann, explained: “These essential works will benefit customers in Strandhill by replacing ageing cast iron watermains with new and improved plastic pipes. The immediate impact of this work will see an improvement to water quality in the area, as well as reduced leakage rates and unplanned interruptions when bursts occur.
“The works are scheduled to start in the coming weeks on a phased basis. The locations of the works in Strandhill include along Shore Road (from the Airport road junction to Strandhill Promenade) and from Sandy Cove Estate (at the junction of the Old Airport Road) to the Rugby Club, along the Top Road to its junction with Buenos Ayres Drive at the former Kelly’s Hotel. In addition to this, works will also take place along Buenos Aires Drive and along the Top Road towards Ransboro Road to facilitate the laying of new water service connections from the public watermain in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.
Declan continued: “Farrans Construction Ltd are contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Uisce Éireann and the works are expected to be completed by July. All works in the core town centre will be completed in advance of the summer season. Once the main rehabilitation works are complete, customers and visitors to Strandhill will see a significant improvement in the network performance and levels of customer service in this area in terms of efficiency and security of supply.”
This project is one example of how Uisce Éireann is continuing to work in partnership with Sligo County Council to reduce leaks every day. 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 the National Leakage Reduction Programme page on our website.
Declan added: “To facilitate the safe delivery of this project and to minimise impact on road users and to the local community traffic management will be in place however local and emergency access will be maintained at all times. The works 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. 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.
“This mains replacement work in Strandhill is part of a significant investment by Uisce Éireann to upgrade the water network in Sligo and we would like to thank customers in advance for their cooperation and patience while we complete this first step in this essential job.”
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.