Uisce Éireann’s investment in Clonmel continues

28 November 2023

An important project to improve water supply to homes and businesses in Clonmel gets underway this week as Uisce Éireann’s intensive campaign to reduce leaks continues in the Premier County.  

Crews will be arriving in Clonmel to get to work replacing 900 metres of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes along with the replacement of backyard services.

Backyard services are found in older areas, often installed to the rear of a customer’s property and typically made of cast iron or lead. Due to the age and deteriorating condition of the pipework, they are often a significant source of leakage and supply disruption for customers. Backyard services are usually shared, running through a number of neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Where properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all connected properties, resulting in low pressure and/or outages.

The section of works will start from Mulligan’s Pharmacy on Western Road and continue onto Connolly Park, Western Park, Albert Street until Gravel Walk.

Uisce Éireann would like to thank all customers in the local area who have engaged with us and assisted us in the provision of our backyard services programme which will not only result in significant water savings but will also reduce the number of bursts and outages impacting customers. These projects are only successful if all customers on a shared water connection support and facilitate these vital works so that the old and leaking mains can be decommissioned. 

Speaking about the benefits of the project, Uisce Éireann’s Networks Regional Lead Dave Murphy, said: “Old backyard service connections are a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption. Replacing these old water mains and service connections in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground. We would like to thank the residents in Clonmel for facilitating these works and working with us to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come.”

The works will be carried out by Shareridge Ltd and are expected to be complete by the end of January. 

Areas of works will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers. Traffic management in the form of a stop/go system will be in place where water mains are being constructed but the community can be assured that local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.  

The works may require some short-term water interruptions, but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned interruptions. 

“We understand that this type of work can cause inconvenience for the local community, but our crews will make every effort to minimise any disruptions,” added Dave.

This important project for Clonmel forms part of Uisce Eireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme and will help us 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.