Countywide water mains replacement works completed in Sligo

Uisce Éireann is proud to support Sligo's bustling towns and villages having recently completed a number leakage reduction projects across the county. 

Rosses Point, Carney Village, Toberscarden in Tubbercurry and Cluid in Ballymote, have all benefited from work in recent months with mains replacements also carried out at Tobergal Lane, Pearse Road, Pearse Crescent and Cairns View Estates areas of Sligo Town.

Replacing old water mains in these areas has not only driven down leakage but has reduced the number of bursts and water outages affecting customers and is supporting development in the county with a thriving tourism industry.  

Uisce Éireann, working with Sligo County Council, has been delivering a strategic plan to reduce leakage across the entire county since 2018 and in recent months we have seen intensive efforts to save water. These works have also seen the replacement of more than 7 km of old water mains replaced with new, modern pipes. 

Speaking about the success of the works, Declan Cawley, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Uisce Éireann, said: "Uisce Éireann are working hard to drive down leakage in Sligo and improve water quality and security of supply for our customers. We have prioritised leakage reduction works to those areas which need it most. In Sligo we have and are continuing to deliver a programme of works that collectively will drive down leakage, which involves detailed planning and close collaboration with Sligo County Council and our contractor Farrans Construction. This work has resulted in local communities such as Rosses Point, Carney, Tubbercurry, Ballymote and areas of Sligo Town enjoying long-term benefits including improved water quality and supply.'' 

Declan continued: "Water mains rehabilitation works are continuing to progress well in Strandhill as part of the replacement of approximately 3km of old cast iron water mains. The work completed to date in County Sligo is a fantastic achievement." 

Paul Hardiman, Resident Engineer with Sligo County Council, added: "As a result of the collaboration between Sligo County Council and Uisce Éireann, customers across the county are enjoying a more secure and reliable water supply. The works undertaken through the Leakage Reduction Programme will benefit customers by strengthening and reinforcing the water network, reducing leaks and unplanned outages. On behalf of Sligo County Council, I would like thank these communities for their continued patience as we deliver this important work to provide a better water supply."

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Paul Taylor welcomed the continued investment by Uisce Éireann adding: "A reliable, secure water supply remains a priority for residents, business and visitors to Sligo. As the county continues to develop, local economic growth will be underpinned by the work already undertaken and by the work that is currently underway. The completion of these essential projects is vital to ensure we can provide a platform for future growth in these communities, and we welcome the continued development of leakage reduction works in Sligo by Uisce Éireann".

Uisce Éireann continues to work in partnership with local authorities across Ireland to reduce leaks every day. Fixing leaks can be complicated but we are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2021 it was reduced to 38%.  We are on track to achieve a national leakage rate of 32% by the end of 2024. For more information, please visit the National Leakage Reduction Programme section of our website.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.