Ardfinnan Water Mains Replacement

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Tipperary County Council, has replaced problematic water mains in Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary, to improve security of supply, reduce high levels of leakage and improve water quality.

Uisce Éireann has invested over €500 million between 2017- 2021 to reduce leakage and replace old pipes on the public water network. The benefits of this programme are:

• Replacing old pipes to reduce drinking water lost by leakage
• Fixing leaks to reduce disruption from bursts and outages
• Improving water quality
• Delivering savings on operation and maintenance of the network

The works involve the replacement of approximately 1200 metres of problematic water mains with high density polyethylene (plastic) and ductile pipes. The programme to replace the problematic water mains in Ardfinnan will commence on 22 March 2021. These works are being carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.

Works are due to be undertaken in two locations. One section of the water mains rehabilitation is from the eastern end of the village (junction of R665/Barrack Street and R670) to Castleview. These works will tie into the existing river crossing and will not require any works on the Bridge.

The second section of works will be located at Mount Carmel and St. Annes Terrace. A number of backyard services at Mount Carmel will be re-arranged and connected to the new water mains. Where these works are required, customers have been engaged with.

The works 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.

The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Shareridge LTD. and are expected to be completed within 8 weeks.

What are the benefits of the works?

The benefits of the leakage reduction works include:

• A Reliable Water Supply – Replacement of water mains and service connections will reduce the instances of bursts and water outages and will ensure a reliable supply of water to customers and local businesses in the area.

• Reduced Leaks – Replacement of water mains and service connections will eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.

• Improved water quality – removing existing old cast iron from the public water network and replacing them with new plastic pipes will reduce the risk of contamination.

• Improved Operation and Maintenance – These works will deliver cost savings by providing improved water network operation that will require less maintenance in the future.

Will customers be affected by the works?

Areas of work will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers. Traffic management may be in place during this time. A stop go system will be in place during the works. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.

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

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.

Residents and businesses in the areas to benefit from the planned improvements have been 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.

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