12.5km of problematic water mains replaced in Cork City and County as well as extensive pressure management to reduce leakage

Irish Water working in partnership with Local Authorities, suppliers and contractors have played a critical role in keeping water services running for homes and businesses through COVID-19 and in delivering works that support job creation, further development and growth now and into the future.

Recognising the unique importance of water services in ensuring growth and development the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien announced two stimulus packages in 2020 totalling €87 million. This allowed Irish Water to undertake a wide range of shovel ready projects through 2020 and also to bring forward the commencement date for a number of large infrastructure projects, leakage reduction works and network upgrades.

The works were carried out across the country generating 400 jobs in the construction sector and included the delivery of 67km of new water mains, the replacement of 1,131 lead services, 55 pressure management valves and allowed crews work non-stop to find and fix leaks. Irish Water estimate that 2.2 million litres of water have been saved a day through find and fix alone from these stimulus packages, enough to provide for 6,500 new homes or a population of 17,000 people.

In County Cork an additional 12.5km of problematic water mains were replaced under the Stimulus Package works in the Ballinhassig, Fivemilebridge, Ballygarvan, Rathpeacon, Crosshaven, Carrigaline and Kilbrin areas of Cork County. Pressure management works were also delivered in the Kilkerran, Carrigfadda, Lisdangan, Glantane and Kilbrin areas, as well as on North Main Street, Mulgrave Road and South Mall and the wider networks of the northern and central areas and Mahon area in Cork City. These works will collectively improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage, which was impacting supply to customers in these areas.

Speaking about what was achieved the Minister Darragh O’Brien said:

The Government’s stimulus package supported jobs and the economy by accelerating Irish Water’s shovel ready works. These projects protected jobs and helped improve our water and waste water infrastructure by reducing leaks, upgrading sewers and improving the performance of water and waste water plants. Each project is improving our infrastructure and is helping to support our current and future housing and development needs, while improving compliance and environmental performance across the country.”

In delivering these essential works Irish Water would also like to thank the supply chain and contractors who showed great flexibility on short notice to work safely and efficiently with Irish Water. The contractors delivering these works on Irish Water sites were regional and local contractors, supported by Irish Water and Local Authority partners ensuring widespread employment across the country.”

Cork native Brian Sheehan, Head of Asset Delivery for Irish Water commented:

Safety was a number one priority for Irish Water and our delivery partners. Strict operating procedures were implemented across all sites to provide for safe delivery during COVID-19 such as social distancing, staggered working arrangements, increased hygiene requirements and the use of additional PPE as appropriate. These enhanced safety measures were subject to regular auditing and review by Irish Water’s Health and Safety teams and were also subject to independent checks by external bodies including the Health and Safety Authority.

Notes:

To arrange an interview with Brian Sheehan, Head of Asset Delivery for Irish Water, please contact Aisling Buckley, Irish Water Press Office, at (087) 951 2636, or [email protected].

Please find the link to the Stimulus Package animated video on the Irish Water YouTube channel https://youtu.be/SP3bm8GhZUU.

Leakage Reduction Works:

The Leakage Reduction Programme has seven key program initiatives delivered using a national approach to standardise and maximise improvements to the network. In order to maximise the benefits accruing from the stimulus funding, Irish Water concentrated on four of these initiatives with our regional contractors.

• Water main replacement: Replacement of high burst rate sections of the water network which result in constant interruption of supply to customers and deterioration of water quality.
• Find and Fix: Active leakage control through locating and repairing leaks on the public water supply network.
• Pressure management: By proactively managing pressure and installing pressure management schemes in the network, leakage rates are reduced and the usable life of water mains extended.
• Lead services: Removal of lead services from the water supply network. The removal of lead services results in improved water quality.

Stimulus Packages

Two Stimulus Packages were announced in 2020 – one in July €43m and another in October €44m amounting to an additional capital package of €87m provided to Irish Water in 2020.

The funding package and delivery included:

• Investment in a range of Irish Water’s national programmes including additional investment in the leakage reduction programme. Allowed Irish Water upgrade Ireland’s ageing network and reduce leakage across the network.
• Investment in the capital maintenance programme to replace failed or failing equipment at water and wastewater treatment plants across the country protecting water supplies to customers nationwide.
• Investment in Irish Water’s wide portfolio of water and wastewater capital projects including accelerated project delivery.  Additional investment in water treatment upgrades will allow Irish Water to reduce the risk of contaminated water supplies to a large number of customers above and beyond those areas originally planned this year.
• Funding for sewer and wastewater projects allowing Irish Water to work with the construction industry to recover from the COVID-19 shutdown earlier in 2020.

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