Uisce Éireann continues investment in Boherbue
19 April 2023
Over 1km of old watermains to be replaced as part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme.
Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Cork County Council, is replacing over 1km of ageing, problematic watermains in Islandbrack, Boherbue, Co. Cork. The programme to replace the water mains will commence in late April and will provide a more secure, reliable water supply and reduce high levels of leakage. The works are a critical step in conserving water, our most precious resource, and reducing high levels of leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and outages for customers.
Portfolio Manager for Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, Paul Moroney said:
“Old and damaged water mains are a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland. The National Leakage Reduction Programme helps provide a more reliable water supply to Irish communities by reducing high levels of leakage and improving water quality."
“We are also nearing completion of just over 850m of new watermains in in Doon Bridge, Boherbue, Co Cork. Once completed, both of these projects will eliminate existing leaks and provide a more reliable supply for the people of Boherbue.”
The section of works will take place in Islandbrack just off the L1108. To deliver the works safely and efficiently traffic management will be in place. Local and emergency access will always be maintained. 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.
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. If the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of these improvement works.
The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke Construction Ltd and are expected to be completed by June 2023.
Uisce Éireann is also progressing works in Boherbue to construct a new wastewater treatment plant that will ensure that wastewater is adequately treated before being discharged into the Brogeen River.
Anthony Kavanagh, Asset Delivery Regional Lead said: “We are making great progress with this vital project and are on course for completion in early 2024. The existing wastewater infrastructure in the village is overloaded and outdated. The effluent does not consistently meet the standard required by the EPA licence and some parameters of the licence cannot be achieved with the assets that are currently in place.”
“The modernisation and improvement of the wastewater infrastructure will ensure that cleaner and safer effluent is being discharged into the Brogeen River.”
The project involves the decommissioning of the existing plant and its associated structures, and the construction of the new facility on the same site in Laharn West, new inlet works, a stormwater tank, biological treatment process, tertiary solids removal, sludge drying reed beds, and a solar panel farm. The project will also reuse the existing constructed wetlands to maintain habitats for animals and plants.
The scheme is one of several Early Contractor Involvement projects to incorporate solar into the site’s electricity needs and reduce carbon emissions by installing over 100 solar panels. This, coupled with the use of natural sludge drying reed beds and the constructed wetlands, will improve the sustainability of the Boherbue wastewater treatment plant.