Knockdrin Water Mains Replacement

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Westmeath County Council, is replacing old problematic water mains in Knockdrin, Co.Westmeath to provide a more safe and secure water supply and reduce high levels of leakage. 

Uisce Éireann is investing 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

Details of the project

The works involve the decommissioning and replacement of approximately 1300 metres of old problematic water mains with high density polyethylene (plastic) pipes. The programme to replace the water mains in Knockdrin will commence in early February 2021. These works are being carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.

The section of rehabilitation works will take place along the Castlepollard Road (R394).

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 customer’s 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 GMC Utilities and are expected to be completed by July 2021.

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 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 these works?

To facilitate the safe delivery of the works, there will be some traffic management in the form of a stop/go traffic system in place during delivery. Local and emergency access 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.