Cork County

Through its national Leakage Reduction Programme, Uisce Éireann is improving the water network and fixing leaks across the country to provide a more secure and reliable water supply.

The programme of works in Cork County is one example of how the national programme is being delivered locally every day - reducing leakage and supporting communities to thrive.

Through targeted upgrades and ongoing maintenance, we're investing to minimise water loss from the county’s extensive underground pipe network.

Cork is Ireland’s largest county, home to more than 580,0000 people.  Its varied landscape spans the Wild Atlantic coastline and peninsulas, lively market towns and fertile farmland - all of which shape one of the most extensive and challenging water networks in the country.

Central to thriving communities Cork’s water network plays a vital role in supporting local life. It underpins community growth, tourism, agriculture, food production, and business development. Maintaining and improving this network is key to supporting the region’s future.

Since 2014, Uisce Éireann has delivered substantial investment in water services across Cork County, replacing over 250 km of ageing water mains via the Leakage Reduction Programme. That’s the equivalent of more than a tenth of the Wild Atlantic Way and roughly the distance from Mizen Head and Athlone. This ongoing investment is improving the reliability of water supplies, reducing leakage, and supporting the county’s long-term water needs.

For centuries, communities across Cork relied on natural water sources such as wells, springs, rivers and simple hand-built channels to meet their daily needs. Early piping systems often made from wood, clay or stone were basic and served only small local populations. It wasn’t until the 19th century, as towns expanded and industry developed, that modern water infrastructure began to take shape. New public water schemes, treatment methods and more durable pipe materials gradually replaced traditional supplies, laying the foundations for the extensive water network in place today.

As the county expanded, so too did the need for cleaner, safer and more dependable drinking water. Rising demand drove continuous upgrades over the decades, shaping the extensive system that Uisce Éireann is now strengthening through targeted investment and modern engineering.

Much of Cork’s water network has been in place for many years and is now ageing. Uisce Éireann manages this extensive network through an ongoing programme of maintenance and upgrades.  Today Uisce Éireann’s focus is on, working to deliver a modern, dependable water supply that communities can rely on every day. Building resilience is central to this effort ensuring the network can withstand pressure, perform reliably, and support growth long into the future.

Replacing old mains and tackling leaks is complex, especially in a network with thousands of underground joints and connections. While burst pipes can be quickly found and fixed, hidden leaks are often harder to detect, quietly weakening supply over time. Through targeted active leak detection and a strategic programme of water mains replacement, we are reducing water loss, and strengthening reliability of water supply across Cork.

These upgrades go beyond responding to current challenges, they are about preparing for the county’s future needs. By renewing and modernising the network, we are ensuring a water network that can continue to support homes, businesses, and communities for many years to come.

The work we carry out every day has a direct impact on people’s lives. Our teams bring deep local knowledge and technical expertise to every project, ensuring the most vulnerable parts of the network are prioritised and strengthened.

Through continued investment and a focus on reducing bursts and leakage, Cork County is steadily building a more resilient, reliable, and sustainable water network, supporting communities across the region to thrive.