Ennis Water Mains Replacement

Uisce Éireann in partnership with Clare County Council, has replaceed problematic water mains in O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, High Street and Bank Place, Ennis, to provide a more reliable water supply, reduce high levels of leakage and improve water quality.

The works involved the replacement of over 760 metres of aged cast iron water mains with modern pipes. The programme to replace the water mains commenced in mid-May. The improvement project to upgrade the water network was completed ahead of the Clare County Council Public Realm regeneration works in the area.

The works took place from Bank Place through O’Connell Square and on to O’Connell Street to the Junction with Carmody Street. Pipeline works were also be undertaken on High Street. The works also involved laying new water service connections from the public water main to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.

The works were carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Shareridge Ltd. and were completed by early-September.

Current status

Works are now complete on High Street, Bank Place and O’Connell Square.

Works have now commenced on O’Connell Street and will be completed in two phases under a road closure. Initially works are to be undertaken on O’Connell Street (north) from O’Connell Square to Upper Market Street and following completion will proceed to O’Connell Street (South) from Upper Market Street to Cathedral Plaza. It is projected this section of works will be completed by the end of August.

The final section of works on O’Connell Street from Cathedral Plaza to Carmody Street is projected to be complete in early September.

What are the benefits of the works?

The benefits of these leakage reduction works include:

• Reliable Water Supply – Replacement of problematic water mains and service connections will reduce the instances of bursts and interruptions to the water supply reducing disruption for homes and businesses in the area.
• Reduced Leaks – Replacement of problematic 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 and lead from the public water network and replacing them with new pipes will reduce the risk of contamination.
• Improved Operation and Maintenance – These works will deliver efficiencies including 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 local businesses and the public. Further information relating to traffic management will be provided nearer the time when design is complete.

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

We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient. Works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause.