National Leakage Reduction Programme
Much of Ireland’s drinking water is lost to leaks before it reaches our taps. To conserve this precious resource, we have invested over €500 million up to the end of 2021 and are investing a further €250 million every year up to the end of 2030 in fixing leaks to provide a more reliable water supply.
The challenge of leaks so far
Every day we currently lose about 38% of our treated water through leaks before it even reaches our taps. Leaks can be difficult to find because they happen in the vast and complex network of pipes below ground. Many of these pipes are now old and damaged and need to be repaired or replaced to improve our water quality and supply. Despite the challenges, we are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2020 it was 40%. By the end of 2021 we have further reduced leakage to 38%. We are on track to achieve a national leakage rate of 25% by the end of 2030.
Our plan for Ireland
As part of the national Leakage Reduction Programme, we're working with Local Authorities across the country to repair bursts and fix underground leaks. Our leakage reduction crews are working hard to find and fix leaks nationwide to provide a more reliable water supply. View our videos below to find out more about the Leakage Reduction Programme and what we’re doing to reduce leakage across Ireland.
How we're reducing leakage across Ireland
There are different types of work streams involved in the Leakage Reduction Programme which collectively drive leakage down.
Case studies
Read in more detail how we’re fixing leaks across the country to provide a more reliable water supply.
The Story of Water
‘The Story Of Water’ is a documentary that focuses on the critical value of our most precious natural resource and the current state of Ireland’s public water network. View our chapter on leakage below.
Free leak repairs
First Fix Free is our scheme for repairing leaks on customers properties across Ireland. We’ll investigate if you have a leak in your external supply pipe and fix it for free if we find one. So far, an estimated *164 million litres of water per day has been saved as a result of this scheme to the end of 2020.
*First Fix Leak Repair Scheme For Domestic Water Customers Quarterly Report - Q2, 2020.
How you can help
One of the challenges is finding leaks in the first place which is where we need your help.
News and Updates
Find out all the latest news and updates on our Leakage Reduction Programme across the country
Vulnerable Customer Services
You can register yourself or someone you know for our Vulnerable Customer Services. Register online or sign up to receive text message supply updates. If you would prefer to speak to a member of our Customer Care team, please contact us on 1800 278 278.
Stay Safe
Uisce Éireann staff and contractors will always identify themselves and show you their identity card. If you are unsure, please refuse access and call us on 1800 278 278 to confirm or visit our Stay Safe page.