Works to replace problematic watermains in Templemartin, Co. Cork

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Cork County Council, is replacing 2 kms of problematic watermains in Templemartin, Co. Cork, which will improve water quality for the community and reduce high levels of leakage.

The project will commence in late June and form part of Uisce Éireann's National Leakage Reduction Programme. The works, being carried out by Ward and Burke Ltd. on behalf of Uisce Éireann, are expected to be completed by the end of September.  

The section of works will commence from Glebe House Cross Junction and continue Northbound, via Templemartin Church, to its junction with the L6245 Road. Works will follow the Y junction northeast along the L6245 Road to its junction with the L6243 and continue northbound for approximately 1.2km towards Aghnamorroge Crossroads. Three separate road closures of the L6244, L6245 and L6243 will be required to complete the works safely. All road closures will be notified in advance and emergency access, as well as access for local residents will be maintained during the road closures. Diversion routes will also be signposted for the duration. The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers' property boundaries and connecting it to the customers' water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.

Outlining the benefits the mains replacement will bring, Steven Blennerhassett from Uisce Éireann, explained: "Replacing these old and problematic pipes in Templemartin will bring an all-round improvement to water quality for the local community. The old pipes had a history of bursting, so the new ones will reduce the drinking water lost and reduce maintenance on the water network in the area."

"There may be some short-term water outages and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours' notice beforehand."

Road closures are required to complete the works safely, therefore we are expecting some traffic delays while we carry out the works. As the water mains in the Templemartin area had a history of bursting, traffic delays were frequent while repair works were carried out. By strengthening the network, this should not be an issue in the future.  

"We understand that road works and water outages can be inconvenient, but our crews will make every effort to minimise disruption to local communities as we continue to improve the water supply in Cork County and progress the National Leakage Reduction Programme."

Uisce Éireann's 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 please visit the Supply and Service Updates section of the Uisce Éireann website or set your location on our website.

This project is one example of how Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Local Authorities to reduce leakage and provide a more reliable water supply. 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 38%. We are on track to achieve a national leakage rate of 25% by the end of 2030.

Since 2018, Uisce Éireann has invested over €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the Leakage Reduction Programme. We are investing a further €250 million every year up to the end of 2030 - fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply.

For more information on reducing leaks visit our National Leakage Reduction Programme page.