Limerick Water Main Replacement - Hospital

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, has replaced ageing water mains and constructed a new section of rising main in Hospital to improve security of supply, improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage.

This project involved the replacement of approximately 1900 metres of old cast iron water mains and installation of 950 metres of new rising mains with high density polyethylene (plastic) pipes. These works were carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme.

The section of works took place along the R513 Main Street and R516 Knockainey Road. The proposed works impacted a ‘zone of archaeological potential’ and all groundworks were subject to full time archaeological monitoring under ministerial consent.

The works also involved 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 were lead these were replaced as part of this improvement work.

The works were carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Shareridge Ltd.

Benefits

A reliable water supply

• Replacing the ageing water mains and service connections and will reduce the instances of bursts and water outages on Patricks Street and Chapel Avenue and will ensure a reliable supply of water to customers and local businesses in the area

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

Reduced leaks

• Replacing the old 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