Backyard service upgrades deliver safer, more reliable water for communities in Ireland’s largest town

Across Drogheda, a transformational shift is taking place on the water network, as Uisce Éireann continues an ambitious programme to retire ageing backyard services and replace them with modern, resilient infrastructure. 

Backyard service replacements are a crucial element of our national Leakage Reduction Programme. Since 2021, 841 backyard service connections have been replaced in Drogheda, with another 364 planned for replacement by the end of this year. A total of 5.6km of new, modern water mains have been installed to date, with another 2.1km planned for completion in 2026. By decommissioning these old, shared backyard services and replacing them with modern, durable water mains, a significant source of hidden leakage is eliminated. This means more water stays in the network, pressure improves for homes and businesses, and less treated drinking water is wasted.

In many older neighbourhoods, water connections were installed at the rear of properties and shared between households. These backyard services, often made of iron or lead, have aged significantly, making them prone to leaks, bursts and reduced pressure. Because they run through several gardens, they are difficult to access and repair, and one home’s supply cannot be switched off without affecting others. Replacing these shared arrangements with modern individual connections at the front of each home provides safer, more reliable water for every household.

Uisce Éireann has most recently been working closely with residents in Lagavoreen, Moneymore and Yellowbatter to replace ageing backyard services and reroute them to the public road and footpaths. These upgrades remove the operational challenges of older shared systems and provide each home with a modern, individual connection.

In each location, crews have been working home by home, collaborating with customers to ensure new connections are installed with minimal disruption. These works may not always be highly visible, but they are having a meaningful impact on daily life, supporting a more resilient water supply for families, improving the reliability of essential services and helping to future proof local infrastructure. 

“You won’t see backyard services works on main roads or in large construction sites”, says Uisce Éireann’s Declan Healy. “Unless you’re living in the area or housing estate where the works are, you might not be aware they are happening. They are quiet but hugely impactful upgrades in customers back gardens, and the impact is far-reaching - providing improved water quality, supply reliability and reduced leakage for thousands of people across the town.

“These projects reflect Uisce Éireann’s vision to provide safe, sustainable water services that support thriving communities” continues Declan “Without the support of local communities getting behind these projects the investment would be meaningless. We would like to thank each and every homeowner who has engaged with us over the past number of years to reap this success and look forward to continuing to work on replacing back yard services into the future to provide a more sustainable water supply across Drogheda.”

Replacing backyard service connections may seem tedious, going from neighbourhood to neighbourhood and replacing one connection at a time, but for Declan it’s about the bigger picture. “For customers benefiting from backyard service replacement, it does mean a reliable water pressure, fewer interruptions and a system that is far easier to maintain. For the wider community, it represents ongoing progress in safeguarding Drogheda’s water supply for the future.”

Multiple backyard service replacement schemes in Drogheda represent local investment with long-lasting benefits. Backyard service replacement works are almost complete in Moneymore, with 2.1 kilometres of new water mains installed under the public road and footpaths to replace 266 backyard service connections. Nearby, communities in Lagavoreen are benefiting from a more dependable water supply following the replacement of over 170 backyard service connections with 1.4km of new water main in Mount Saint Oliver, Marian Park, Priests Lane and Congress Avenue.

At the end of last year, crews moved north of the Boyne to start works on replacing 400 backyard services with connections to a 2.15km public-side pipe that will provide a more secure water supply to customers in Ascal, Bredin Street, Sandyford Terrace, Crushrod and surrounding areas in Yellowbatter. The momentum continues with works recently commencing on a phased basis in further neighbourhoods of Lagavoreen, including Sunnyside Cottages, St Mary’s Villas, Carmelite Cottages and Clintons Lane. Here, 84 homes will be connected to a new 540m pipe and will enjoy a more resilient water supply when works are complete.

Uisce Éireann has invested €2 billion to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the Leakage Reduction Programme. We are continuing this work with over €1 billion in further investment in the network by the end of 2029. Fixing leaks can be complicated but we are making progress. Leakage levels are now at their lowest ever, with water loss reduced from 49% in 2014 to 36% nationally.