Kilcoole Backyard Services

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, is replacing ageing back yard water mains and providing new service connections for customers in New Road, Co. Wicklow to improve security of supply, improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage.

In some older properties water connections, typically made of iron or lead, were installed to the rear of the property and are often referred to as backyard service connections. The pipework due to age and deteriorating condition are a significant source of leakage and reduced levels of service. Back yard services are usually shared, running through a number of neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Since all properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all properties usually resulting in low pressure.

The works involve decommissioning of approximately of old cast iron back yard water mains. New water mains will be constructed along the public road and new service connections will be installed from the new water main to each customer’s property.

The works also involve decommissioning of old cast iron back yard mains. New water mains have already been constructed along the public road in these areas therefore works only require new service connections to be installed from the new water main to each customer’s property.

It is likely that the service connections currently serving these properties from the old back yard services in New Road are made from lead. All new service connections will be made with modern high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pipes to ensure a safer, more reliable supply of water to customers in the area. These works will be carried out by Ward & Burke Construction Ltd. in partnership with Wicklow County Council on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

Benefits

A Reliable Water Supply

• Replacing the old water mains with new water mains and service connections will reduce the instances of bursts and water outages and will ensure a reliable supply of water to customers in the area

Reduced Leaks

• Replacement of old water mains and service connections in poor condition 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 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

Steps

• A survey is required at each property within this community
• The individual survey is undertaken to assess the current water connection arrangement for that property and discuss the best way to connect the new service to the customers home
• The works when they commence 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
• Where water mains are being constructed traffic management may be in place during this time