Uisce Éireann is progressing work on its National Leakage Reduction Programme – Ireland’s water company has invested €2 billion to date to upgrade the underground water network and is set invest a further €1 billion-plus in further investment up to the end of 2029.

This month has seen the successful completion of works to strengthen the water network in Thomastown in a project which involved the replacement of over 240m of ageing cast iron watermains, along with the decommissioning of 381m of outdated backyard service connections. In older estates, some water connections were installed to the rear of properties and can be prone to leaks. The upgrades will strengthen the local water network and support a more reliable supply.

Welcoming the completion of the works, Portfolio Manager with Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, Dave Murphy, said:

“Providing a reliable water supply for the people of Thomastown is at the heart of this work. Every pipe we replace brings us closer to a network that communities can depend on every day. We know how important a consistent supply is to daily life, and these works in Newtown Terrace are already making a real difference for local homes and businesses. By investing here, we are helping to deliver a stronger, more resilient water service for the community now and into the future.”

Other projects where work is getting underway this month include an important investment in Letterkenny beginning next week in a scheme which will see close to 1.4km of new water mains installed along the L1144 Lisnennan Road.

the town's water network will benefit from an important investment in the town's water network, help support future growth and development.

Once complete, the upgrade of the town’s water network will help ensure it can meet the needs of the area, supporting future growth and development.

The work is being delivered as part of Uisce Éireann's Accelerated Growth Programme, designed to provide the additional water and wastewater capacity needed to support housing and sustainable development in communities across Ireland.

Uisce Éireann Programme Manager Patricia Lowry explained:

"This investment will strengthen the water network in Letterkenny and help ensure there is sufficient capacity to support future housing and development in the area. By delivering this infrastructure now, we are helping to prepare Letterkenny for future growth while continuing to provide reliable water services for existing homes and businesses."

Works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Farrans and are expected to be completed early next year.

In a separate project in Blackrock, Co. Dublin works are getting underway to replace old and damaged water mains with over 764 metres of new, modern pipes. The existing pipes were prone to bursts and leaks, leading to supply interruptions and the loss of treated drinking water The installation of the new water main will increase network capacity, strengthen the network and support housing delivery. The upgrades will also support future growth and development in the area, ensuring the water infrastructure can meet the demands of a growing community.

Works will begin in late September and will include installing new water service connections from the public water main on the road to customers’ property boundaries and linking them to the customers’ water supply.

The project is being delivered by GMC Utilities Ltd. on behalf of Uisce Éireann with completion expected in early 2027.

Uisce Éireann has a network of more than 65,000 km of underground pipes nationally, many of which are hidden. National leakage is now at its lowest level ever, reduced from 49% in 2014 to 36% today.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering secure, safe and sustainable water services for communities across Ireland. Through its National Leakage Reduction Programme, Uisce Éireann is working to reduce leakage by repairing pipes, upgrading watermains and improving network resilience. Ireland has a network of more than 65,000 km of underground pipes nationally, much of which is ageing. With such an extensive network, addressing leaks is complex, with many hidden from view.

As part of the Reduction Programme, the utility offers free leak investigation and repairs under its First Fix Free scheme which aims to help reduce the amount of water wasted through leaks on customers' properties.

The scheme offers a free investigation if a customer’s water meter has indicated a possible leak on their external supply pipe and a free repair if the water leak is identified on the external supply pipe.

Uisce Éireann estimates that over 269 million litres of water per day have been saved as a result of this scheme to the end of 2024.

Overall leakage levels are now at their lowest ever, with water loss reduced from 49% in 2014 to 36% nationally. The company has 200+ leak repair experts on the ground fixing leaks, with an average of 2,000 leaks are fixed every month.