Works continue to improve water quality and supply for customers in Greystones

18 May 2023

250m of water mains to be replaced

Protecting the water supply in Greystones is a vital focus for Uisce Éireann with further works planned as part of its programme to drive down leakage and reduce the number of bursts and unplanned outages impacting the community. 

Following on from the successful replacement of 600 meters of water main rehabilitation works on Church Lane, Greystones. Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, will replace approximately 250 meters of ageing and problematic backyard service water mains serving 28 properties in St Bridget’s Park. The new watermains which will be installed to the front of the properties will provide a more reliable water supply, improve water quality, and reduce the amount of treated drinking water lost to leakage. 

The works, which are due to begin next week from the junction of St Bridget’s Park with Kindlestown Lower Road are a critical step in conserving this precious resource and reducing high levels of leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and outages for customers.  

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.

Speaking about the benefits of the project, Joe Carroll, Infrastructure Delivery Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann 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.”

Joe added: “This essential programme is only successful if all customers on a shared backyard water service connection, support and facilitate these vital works, so that old and leaking mains can be decommissioned and properties can be transferred to a new water main supply located to the front of the property."

“We would like to thank the local residents in St Bridget’s Park for facilitating these works and working with us to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come.”

These works will be carried out by Ward & Burke Construction Ltd on behalf of Uisce Éireann and are expected to be fully completed by the end of July.

Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For local updates, please visit the Supply and Service Updates section of the Uisce Éireann website or set your location on our website.