Extra funding for Uisce Éireann in 2020 delivers 400 jobs and benefits for customers across the country
Uisce Éireann working in partnership with Local Authorities, suppliers and contractors have played a critical role in keeping water services running for homes and businesses through COVID-19 and in delivering works that support job creation, further development and growth now and into the future.
Recognising the unique importance of water services in ensuring growth and development the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien announced two stimulus packages in 2020 totalling €87 million. This allowed Uisce Éireann to undertake a wide range of shovel ready projects through 2020 and also to bring forward the commencement date for a number of large infrastructure projects, leakage reduction works and network upgrades.
The works were carried out across the country generating 400 jobs in the construction sector and included the delivery of 67km of new water mains, the replacement of 1,131 lead services, 55 pressure management valves and allowed crews work non-stop to find and fix leaks. Uisce Éireann estimate that 2.2 million litres of water have been saved a day through find and fix alone from these stimulus packages, enough to provide for 6,500 new homes or a population of 17,000 people.
Speaking about what was achieved the Minister Darragh O'Brien said: "The Government's stimulus package supported jobs and the economy by accelerating Uisce Éireann's shovel ready works. These projects protected jobs and helped improve our water and waste water infrastructure by reducing leaks, upgrading sewers and improving the performance of water and waste water plants. Each project is improving our infrastructure and is helping to support our current and future housing and development needs, while improving compliance and environmental performance across the country."
In delivering these essential works Uisce Éireann would also like to thank the supply chain and contractors who showed great flexibility on short notice to work safely and efficiently with Uisce Éireann. The contractors delivering these works on Uisce Éireann sites were regional and local contractors, supported by Uisce Éireann and Local Authority partners ensuring widespread employment across the country."
Brian Sheehan, Head of Asset Delivery for Uisce Éireann commented: "Safety was a number one priority for Uisce Éireann and our delivery partners. Strict operating procedures were implemented across all sites to provide for safe delivery during COVID-19 such as social distancing, staggered working arrangements, increased hygiene requirements and the use of additional PPE as appropriate. These enhanced safety measures were subject to regular auditing and review by Uisce Éireann's Health and Safety teams and were also subject to independent checks by external bodies including the Health and Safety Authority.
Further details on the works that were completed per county are available below.
In County Cavan an additional 350m of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works along Baileborough Road, Shercock. These works will improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Clare an additional 2km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works between Kilmurry and Castlecrine. These works will collectively improve water quality and security of supply, and reduce high levels of leakage on the network.
In County Cork an additional 12.5km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in the Ballinhassig, Fivemilebridge, Ballygarvan, Rathpeacon, Crosshaven, Carrigaline and Kilbrin areas of Cork County. Pressure management works were also delivered in the Kilkerran, Carrigfadda, Lisdangan, Glantane and Kilbrin areas, as well as on North Main Street, Mulgrave Road and South Mall and the wider networks of the northern and central areas and Mahon area in Cork City. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage, which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
Cork native Brian Sheehan, Head of Asset Delivery for Uisce Éireann commented: "Safety was a number one priority for Uisce Éireann and our delivery partners. Strict operating procedures were implemented across all sites to provide for safe delivery during COVID-19 such as social distancing, staggered working arrangements, increased hygiene requirements and the use of additional PPE as appropriate. These enhanced safety measures were subject to regular auditing and review by Uisce Éireann's Health and Safety teams and were also subject to independent checks by external bodies including the Health and Safety Authority."
In County Donegal an additional 4.8km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Falcarragh/Gortahork area (Derryconner (1130m), Curransport (1090m), Calheam/An Sruthàn (720m) and Ardsbeg (610m)), Castlefinn Road, Conneyburrow, Lifford (920m) and Bunnymayne, Bridgend (350m). These works will improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In Dublin, an additional 12 kilometres of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package including works in Lecklinstown; Greentrees Park, Roebuck; Fernhill, Whitehall; Sandymount Road; Sybill Hill; Plunkett Green; Rathdown Crescent; Balbutcher Lane; Avoca Avenue; Blackrock; Mount Merrion Avenue; Rosemount Avenue; Cunningham Drive Lane; Skerries and Brackenstown Road, Swords. Pressure management works were delivered in Blackrock; Donnybrook; Stillorgan Road; UCD and Littlepace. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In Galway City and County over 4km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works at Canal lower, New Mervue, Glenina Heights, Tuam and Spiddal. Some of the replacement works were in areas serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. Pressure management works were also delivered along Dr Mannix Road. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Kerry an additional 2.9km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in partnership with Kerry County Council in the Listowel, Kilfenora and Ballymalis areas. Pressure management works were also delivered in the Oakfield Square area of Tralee, as well as the Park Road area in Killarney and Castlemaine and Ballybunion areas in the County. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage, which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Kildare, active underground leak detection and associated repair works were completed in Johnstown under the Stimulus Package works while pressure management works were delivered in Monasterevin, Ballymany, Leixlip and Baltreacy. Almost 100m of problematic water mains were decommissioned and replaced in Naas. The area was serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Kilkenny, extensive pressure management works were undertaken in Troyswood and Radestown, under the Stimulus Package delivery. These works will collectively improve resilience and connectivity on the water network while also reducing high levels of leakage.
In County Laois an additional 2km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Portlaoise and Portarlington. Some of the replacement works were in areas serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. Active underground leak detection and associated repair works were completed in Ballyroan and Portarlington while pressure management works were delivered in Portlaoise town. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Leitrim over 2km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Hartley, Carrick-on-Shannon (260m), Rockwell Park Drumshambo (270m), Mc Dermott Terrace Manorhamilton (250) and in Jamestown (1300m). Some of the replacement works were in areas serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In Limerick City and County approximately 5km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Kilcolman, Castletroy, King's Island, St Nessans Road and Dooradoyle. Some of these works also involved replacing old back yard service connections. These works will collectively improve water quality, and security of supply especially in regard to the supply to University Hospital, Limerick. These works will also reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Longford an additional 1.9km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Ballymakeegan, Templemichael and Bannon Terrace. Some of the replacement works were in areas serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. Active underground leak detection and associated repair works were completed in Drumlish, Edgeworthstown and Newtownforbes. These works will improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Louth an additional 442m of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Clanbrassill Street and Old Hill, Drogheda. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Mayo an additional 1.9km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works along Plunkett Road, Ballina, Lisglennon, Killala Town and Shrule. These works will improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Meath an additional 1.7km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Bridge Street, Abbey Road, Proudstown, Navan and Knockbrack, Oldcastle. These works will improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Offaly almost 1.5km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Clonin, Rhode and Newtown, Tullamore. Some of the replacement works were in areas serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. Active underground leak detection and associated repair works were also completed in Ballycumber, Banagher, Blueball, Clara, Kilcormac and Rahan. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Tipperary almost 2km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Templetuohy, Ballinard Bridge and Marlfield Road, Clonmel. The Clonmel and Templetuohy works also involved replacing old back yard service connections. These works will collectively improve water quality and security of supply, and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Westmeath, over 4km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works at Bullet Road in Athlone, Ballinea, Mullingar, Rochfortbridge and Ballynacarriagy. Some of the replacement works were in areas serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.
In County Wicklow almost 3.5km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in Greystones and Ashford. Some of the replacement works were in areas serviced by aged and problematic back yard water mains where connections are often constructed with lead. Active underground leak detection and associated repair works were also completed in Arklow, Bray, Greystones, Newtown Mountkennedy, Rathdrum and Wicklow town while pressure management works were delivered in Kilcoole, Delgany and Drummin. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.