Summer in Salthill brings the promise of an improved water supply

Summertime in Salthill is synonymous with melting ice-cream, dips in the sea and watching the sun go down across Galway Bay. This year, residents and visitors to the scenic seaside village can add an improved water supply to that list, with news of a significant programme of water main upgrades set to begin this week.

Uisce Éireann will replace approximately 1.4km of old cast iron mains with new, modern pipes as part of this extensive programme of works, which is being carried out under the National Leakage Reduction Programme. 

Works are commencing this week and will see mains replaced at a number of locations in Salthill, including Lenaboy Park and the Upper Salthill Road, moving on to Atlantic Terrace, Lenaboy Avenue, Rockhill and San Antonio Terrace. 

All told, crews will replace 1,390 metres of aging mains, providing residents, businesses and visitors alike with a more secure and reliable water supply and helping to drive down rates of leakage on the network. 

Uisce Éireann Programme Manager Enda Mac Namara said that these mains upgrades will improve water quality for Uisce Éireann customers in Salthill while reducing the risk of operational issues on the network moving forward. 

“We are delighted to be starting with this programme of works in Salthill,” said Enda. “These new mains will not only improve the quality of water being delivered to our customers; they will also help us work towards our aim of reducing leakage levels by strengthening and safeguarding the network.” 

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.  

In order for these works to be carried out safely and efficiently, some traffic management measures, in the form of two, three and four-way traffic lights will be required. Local and emergency access will be maintained at all times. 

The works will be carried out by Farrans Construction on behalf of Uisce Éireann and are expected to be complete in late 2026. 

Uisce Éireann continues to deliver initiatives under the National Leakage Reduction Programme to provide a more secure and reliable water supply, reduce high levels of leakage, improve water quality, and create operational efficiencies in the water network. 

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.