€890,000 invested in Galway City and County upgrade works
Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Local Authorities, suppliers and contractors across the country, has invested almost €19 million Stimulus Package funding in capital maintenance works. These works to replace failed or failing assets have resulted in greater efficiency in the operation of treatment plants and pumping stations and has ensured a more secure and reliable service for customers.
Galway City and County benefited from €890,000 investment in upgrades to water and wastewater services from the Stimulus Package.
Uisce Éireann's Operations Lead, Tim O'Connor highlighted the importance of the investment saying: "Capital maintenance is the repair, replacement or refurbishment of failed or failing assets that are critical to the provision of water services. These works are vital in order to ensure that essential components in water and wastewater treatment plants are kept up to date and working effectively.
"These very important works that were delivered across Galway City and County will ensure the security of the water and wastewater networks and this significant investment will ensure far greater reliability and efficient operation of our treatment plants which will have environmental benefits too.
"At Portumna Water Treatment Plant the bulk storage tanks were at the end of their service life and were undersized which meant that more frequent chemical deliveries were required to meet demand. As part of a €70,000 investment, we were able to provide new high-quality bulk storage tanks. The new tanks have not only reduced the number of deliveries required they have also improved the performance of the treatment process at the plant ensuring a safe, secure and reliable water supply to over 22,000 customers. The Stimulus Package funding also enabled us to replace the problematic water mains supplying residents of Kilconnell and also install new high tech reservoir flow controls at Headford and in Clarenbridge."
Michael Timmins, Senior Engineer, Galway County Council, commented: "The importance of these works can't be understated in the continued collaborative effort to improve water quality for all consumers in Galway. The replacement of failing assets in a timely fashion helps to reduce the impact of breakdowns in the water/wastewater network and increases reliability. Furthermore, Galway County Council share with Uisce Éireann the continued, ongoing effort to protect and enhance our environment."
Anthony Skeffington, who is Uisce Éireann's North West Regional Operation's Manager also outlined the importance of investing in operational maintenance; "Uisce Éireann has a significant amount of pipeline and assets in the ground. We have over 95,000km of water and wastewater pipeline and over 7,000 assets that keep water and wastewater services going every day, therefore it is crucial that we invest in the operation and maintenance of these assets in a strategic and efficient manner."
The funding was allocated by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien as part of two stimulus packages for the upgrade of water and wastewater services totalling €87 million in 2020.
Significant investment was made in tackling leakage across the country through the upgrade of Ireland's ageing network and reduction of leakage across the network. Other funding for sewer and wastewater projects allowed Uisce Éireann to work with the construction industry to recover from the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. The monies were also used to purchase new fleet for water services staff in local authorises across the country.
Uisce Éireann continues to work with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services. Uisce Éireann would like to remind people to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.
Uisce Éireann is working proactively with our delivery partners and as part of a multi-agency working group to ensure that our construction works are carried out in a controlled and safe manner, in keeping with Government and HSE guidelines to protect workers, their families and the broader community.
Our customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates visit the Supply and Service Updates section of our website.
