Irish Water have works planned in Abbeyleix as part of its programme to drive down leakage and reduce the number of bursts and unplanned outages impacting the community.
Irish Water, in partnership with Laois County Council, is replacing nearly 200 meters of ageing and problematic backyard service connections in Thornberry to provide a more reliable water supply, improve water quality and reduce the amount of treated drinking water lost to leakage.
The works, which are due to begin on October 17, are a critical step in conserving our precious resource and reducing high levels of leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and outages for customers.
Backyard services are found in older areas, often installed to the rear of a customer’s property and typically made of cast iron or lead.
Due to the age and deteriorating condition of the pipework, they are often a significant source of leakage and supply disruption for customers.
Backyard services are usually shared, running through a number of neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks.
Where properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all connected properties, resulting in low pressure and/or outages.
Irish Water would like to thank all customers in Thornberry who have engaged with us and assisted us in the provision of our back yard services programme which will not only result in significant water savings but will also reduce the number of bursts and outages impacting customers.
These projects are only successful if all customers on a shared water connection support and facilitate these vital works so that the old and leaking mains can be decommissioned.
Green Party Local Area Representative and Thornberry Resident, Rosie Palmer, welcomed the news.
Rosie said: “These works are a critical step in conserving our precious resource and reducing high levels of leakage.
“Everyone has a right to sufficient, safe and affordable water and these works will result in significant water savings and also reduce the number of bursts and outages impacting customers, ultimately protecting their supply.
“Due to the age and deteriorating condition of the Old backyard service connections, they are often a significant source of leakage and supply disruption for customers and continue to impact communities.
“Projects such as these can only be successful when all customers on a shared water connection support and facilitate these vital works.
“Irish Water and the County Council have thanked the residents of Thornberry for their engagement on this matter. I understand the works are due to begin on the 17th of October and conclude by the end of November.”
Speaking about the benefits of the project, Joe Carroll, Regional Delivery Lead with Irish Water, said: “Old backyard service connections are a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption.
“Replacing these old water mains and service connections in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.
“We would like to thank the local residents in Thornberry for facilitating these works and working with us to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come.”
These works will be carried out by Ward & Burke Construction in partnership with Laois County Council on behalf of Irish Water and are due to be completed by the end of November.
