Works progress to improve Ballycraheen water supply
27 October 2021
Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, is replacing problematic watermains in Ballycraheen to improve water quality and provide a more reliable water supply.
The upgrades involve the replacement of over 2,360m of problematic water mains and are being carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme. The programme to replace the watermains in Ballycraheen commenced yesterday, 26 October and are expected to be finished by early December.
The works will take place on the Peafield Road between the N24 flyover and Newtown Mews/Monaleen Road, on the Monaleen Road from the Peafield Road Junction to the M7 bridge and on the Newtown Road from the Peafield Road Junction to approximately 300m before the Ballysimon roundabout.
The project 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. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.
Outlining the benefits the mains replacement will bring, Gerry O’Donnell of Uisce Éireann, explained: “The upgrading of these watermains will continue to strengthen and reinforce the water network in Ballycraheen and the surrounding areas. The new pipes will reduce leaks and ensure a more reliable supply in an area that has experienced a high frequency burst history.
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.
Gerry added: “Traffic disruptions will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers with a stop-go system in place. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times. The works may involve some short-term water outages and 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 Shareridge Ltd.
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 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.