Dundalk to enjoy an improved water supply following replacement of ageing mains

Securing the water supply in Louth remains a vital focus for Uisce Éireann with works progressing to drive down leakage and improve the water supply for customers. Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Louth County Council, has successfully completed a programme of works to replace old and damaged watermains along Ecco Road, Dundalk that were prone to leaks and frequent bursts with new high density, polyethylene (plastic) pipes to reduce high levels of leakage and improve the security of supply to homes and businesses in the area.

The works, which took place along Ecco Road involved the replacement of approximately 250 metres of old, problematic water mains and were delivered in adherence with current HSE and government COVID-19 advice. GMC Utilities Ltd carried out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

Speaking about the works Matt Thomson, Regional Lead with Uisce Éireann, said "We are proactively operating throughout Louth to track down and repair leaking pipes with our colleagues in Louth County Council. These upgrades are part of a significant investment by Uisce Éireann to upgrade the water network in Louth. There was a history of bursts and supply disruptions in the Ecco Road area and successful completion of these works will reduce water interruptions and the amount of clean drinking water lost to leakage. The installation of the new water mains and service connections will also help conserve this precious resource and improve levels of service for homes and businesses in the area. We would like to thank customers for their patience and cooperation as we continue to deliver these vital network improvements and safeguard the water supply now and into the future".

Reflecting on the importance of the works for Dundalk, Matt said, "The replacement of these old pipes along Ecco Road will safeguard the water supply and have a positive impact on leakage and the daily lives of the local community. The project will also benefit residential and business customers in the area by improving the water network performance, reducing disruptions to water supply, reducing leakage rates and unplanned outages when bursts occurred on the existing mains. Completion of these works will also improve operational efficiencies by providing improved water network operation that will require less maintenance in the future. Permanent road reinstatement works will now be carried out in the coming weeks following the successful completion of this project."

These works are an example of how Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Louth County Council to reduce leaks every day. Fixing leaks can be complicated with over 63,000km of water pipe in Ireland. Most leaks aren't visible, resulting in precious water being lost but we are making progress. In 2018 the rate of leakage nationally was 46%, by the end of 2020 it was reduced to 40% and we are currently on course to achieving a national leakage rate of 38% by the end of 2021.

The national Leakage Reduction Programme, which will see €500 million invested up to the end of 2021, helps to reduce the level of leakage across the country by fixing and replacing old water mains. This will ensure a safe, reliable water supply which is vital for our health, our environment and our growing population and economy. For more information, please visit our Leakage Reduction section.

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.