Works progress to improve Listowel water supply

07 May 2021

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Kerry County Council, is replacing over 320 metres of problematic water mains on Church Street in Listowel, to provide a more reliable water supply and tackle high levels of leakage. The works follow the completion of 850 metres of water mains replaced on Main Street and Bridge road in late 2020 and significant network improvements including valve replacements in the town.

The old, problematic pipes are being decommissioned and replaced and work will commence in mid-May and is expected to be completed in 6 weeks. The works will take place on Church Street from the junction with Library Road to the junction of Church Street and Courthouse Road.

The works will 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. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead, these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.

This portion of mains replacement in Listowel is part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme, which will see €500m invested nationally to tackle problematic pipes and leakage in Ireland’s ageing water network.

Kerry County Council staff working on behalf of Uisce Éireann will deliver the project.

There was good news for the Kingdom recently too as Uisce Éireann and Kerry County Council completed over 950m of new water mains at Kilfenora, Fenit. These works were completed in mid-April and will deliver a safer, more reliable water supply to homes and businesses there.

"As they get older, some pipes have a high level of leakage, as well as being subject to frequent bursts." said Steven Blennerhassett, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead, Uisce Éireann. 

"Replacing the old, damaged pipes will ensure better water quality and a more reliable water supply. The new water mains and service connections will reduce the instances of bursts and water outages. These improvements to the water network are essential in providing a safe, secure and reliable water supply, now and into the future. Since its establishment, Uisce Éireann has replaced 218kms of water mains in Kerry, leading to a much more secure and reliable water supply in the county"

Areas of work will be limited to short sections to minimise impact and disruption to commuters. Traffic management will be in place during this time. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.

Some short-term water shut offs  may be required and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned water shut offs.

"In the past year, water main replacement work has taken place in a number of locations, including Tralee, Listowel, Fenit, Blennerville, Killorglin and Killarney. We look forward to continuing to work with the local community in Listowel to minimise disruption," added Steven Blennerhassett."

For more information, please visit the National Leakage Reduction Programme section of our website.