Upgrades to improve water supply and reduce leakage in Macroom
28 October 2021
Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Cork County Council, is replacing problematic watermains in Kilnagurteen, Macroom to improve water quality and provide a more reliable water supply.
The upgrade involves the replacement of over 615m of problematic watermains with new modern pipes. The programme to replace the watermains in Kilnagurteen will commence in early-November and are being carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.
The project will also involve laying new water service connections from the public watermain in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.
The section of works will take place along Millstreet Road, opposite the entrance to the Glenties Housing Estate, and will run northbound for approximately 615m.
Outlining the benefits the mains replacement will bring, Steven Blennerhassett from Uisce Éireann, explained: “The upgrading of these watermains will continue to strengthen and reinforcing the water network in Macroom. The new pipes will create a more efficient network, reduce leaks and ensure a more reliable supply.”
This project is another example of how Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Local Authorities to provide a more reliable water supply and reduce leakage. Fixing leaks can be complicated but Uisce Éireann are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2020 it was reduced to 40%. We are currently on course to achieve a national leakage rate of 38% by the end of 2021.
Steven added: “To facilitate the safe delivery of the upgrades, there will be some traffic management in place along the Millstreet Road, however local and emergency access will be maintained at all times. The works may also involve some short-term water outages, but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water outages.
“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.”
The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke Limited and are expected to be completed by mid-December.
Residents and businesses in the areas to benefit from the planned improvements will be notified directly and customers can phone Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 if they have any questions about the project.
Uisce Éireann regrets any inconvenience these necessary water network improvements may cause. Details of any supply interruptions associated to this project will be updated regularly on the Supply and Service Updates section of our website.
Uisce Éireann and Cork County Council would also like to remind customers supplied by Macroom Public Water Supply, serving Macroom town, Codrum, Masseytown, Kilnagurteen, Coolehane, Coolcower, Macloneigh, Carrigadrohid, Ballinagree and surrounding areas, that the Boil Water Notice issued on 20 October remains in place until further notice.
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.