Works to reduce leakage begin in two more communities in Carlow

12 July 2022

Uisce Éireann crews have been regular visitors to Carlow in recent months with communities and businesses around the town and county benefitting from water mains replacement works. Most recently, works have been taking place on the Hacketstown Road and Pollerton Road where crews busily work to bring a safer, more reliable water supply to residents there.

This week, the focus of attention shifts to Carlow town centre itself, as well as Staplestown Road. In the town centre, the works involve the replacement of over 870 metres of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes. The works will take place along Potato Market, Kennedy Avenue, and Barrack Street. The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Shareridge Construction Ltd. and are expected to be completed by early September. 

Similarly, on the Staplestown Road, the works will involve the replacement of over 290 metres of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes. The programme to replace the water mains in Staplestown Road, Co. Carlow will commence in mid-July. The section of works will take place along Staplestown Road from the Staplestown Road Roundabout to the Clayton Hall Roundabout. The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Shareridge Construction Ltd. and are expected to be completed by mid-August. Both sets of works are being carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme. 

Speaking about the works, Uisce Éireann’s Joe Carroll said;

“It’s great to be in a position to replace these problematic mains now and bring another positive development to the town. Carlow has been given a boost recently with the opening of a new high profile retail shop and it is pleasing for Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Carlow County Council to be able to support growth and development in the town and county." 

“The benefits of these works will mean fewer bursts, a safer and more reliable supply, reduced leakage and improved water quality and also an improvement in operational and maintenance spend, which is beneficial to all.”

This project is one example of how Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Local Authorities to reduce leakage and provide a more reliable water supply. Fixing leaks can be complicated but we are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2021 it was 38%. We are on track to achieve a national leakage rate of 25% by the end of 2030.

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 growth in our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

Uisce Éireann keeps customers informed about their water and wastewater supplies across multiple platforms 24/7 and we encourage customers to engage with us on Twitter @IWCare and through our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and by setting their location on our website.