Summer season sees security of water supply improved in Letterkenny

19 July 2023

Conserving water and driving down leakage continues to remain a priority for Uisce Éireann with leakage reduction works continuing nationally and regionally. Letterkenny, the key economic engine of the Donegal economy and a strategic regional centre for the North-West, has seen the successful completion of leakage reduction works this Summer with over 1.45km recently installed along Ros Suilighe, High Road and Port Road. 

Working in partnership with Donegal County Council, Uisce Éireann recently prioritised the replacement of more than 1.45km of old and damaged water mains in Letterkenny, including 900m along Ros Suilighe, 250m along High Road and 300m along Port Road. Such works are critical in conserving precious water resources and reducing high levels of leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and outages for customers in the area.

Outlining the benefits that the completion of these works in Letterkenny will bring Declan Cawley, Uisce Éireann Regional Lead said: “Many of the old and damaged pipes along Ros Suilighe, High Road and Port Road were prone to bursts and high levels of leakage, causing supply challenges for homes and businesses. In Ros Suilighe the pre-existing ageing water mains were installed to the rear of the property, referred to as backyard service connections, running through several neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Replacing the old and damaged pipes along Ros Suilighe, High Road and Port Road with modern pipes reduces drinking water lost by leakage and brings an all-round improvement to the water network for businesses, residents and visitors to Letterkenny."

Declan continued: “Uisce Éireann has invested significantly in Donegal with more than 150km of old and damaged water mains replaced across the county, enough pipe to cover the distance from Letterkenny to Leitrim. Building on the work already completed which amasses to more than 53 million litres of water saved since 2018, we are delighted to add Ros Suilighe, High Road and Port Road to the list of locations now with new and improved pipework.” 

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 our National Leakage Reduction Programme page.