Howth Water Supply Scheme

Uisce Éireann has completed works to upgrade the water mains in Howth to secure the water supply for local businesses and residents into the future.

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Fingal County Council, has secured the water supply for over 20,900 residents and business across Howth and reduced carbon emissions. This project was part of the Howth, Malahide and Balbriggan Water Supply scheme Upgrade. John Craddock Limited carried out these works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

 

What are the benefits of these works?

The upgrade works carried out as part of this project have:

• Improved the security of the drinking water supply to householders and businesses in Howth and surrounding areas;
• Safeguarded the water supply to this area now and into the future;
• Reduced interruptions to the drinking water supply;
• Improved water pressure for homes and businesses;
• Reduced energy consumption along the scheme.
   

What was involved?

The Howth Water Supply Scheme currently serves a population of approximately 20,900 and is supplied by the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant through the North Fringe Water Main. Previously, the existing water mains that supplied Howth’s main reservoir at Dungriffen from the North Fringe Water Main was operating beyond capacity. This resulted in interruptions to supply and was inadequate to meet potential growth and efficient energy usage.
 
The €9m investment in Howth Water Supply included the following infrastructure:

• Replacement of 6km of existing 100-year-old cast iron water mains from the North Fringe Water Main to the Dungriffen Reservoir in Howth including three tunnelled crossings under the Howth DART Line.
• Upgrade to pumping infrastructure at the existing Corr Bridge Pumping Station and Dungriffen Reservoir.

The project required substantial and frequent modifications to the existing water supply infrastructure to the Howth peninsula by our contractor John Craddock Ltd., however, impacts to homes and businesses were prevented by enabling works carried out by our operational colleagues in Fingal County Council. Uisce Éireann appreciates Fingal County Council’s operations support to this large capital investment.
 
Commissioned in 2021, the new infrastructure has achieved an estimated reduction in energy consumption in excess of 60%, which equates to annual energy savings of over 500,000 kilowatt-hours per year.