Donabate set to benefit from water mains replacement works

Information below is relevant until further updates are provided here or on our Supply and Service Updates section

At Uisce Éireann, we’re committed to providing a reliable water supply for everyone in the community. To help make that happen, we’re getting underway with works to replace old and damaged water mains in New Road, Balcarrick, Donabate.

From next week, our crews will be installing approximately 1.3km of new, modern pipes that will strengthen the local network and reduce disruption to homes and businesses. 

The existing pipes were prone to bursts and leaks, leading to supply interruptions and the loss of treated drinking water, a valuable resource we all depend on.  Once complete, the works will provide a more reliable water supply and reduce high levels of leakage.  

Welcoming the project, Declan Healy, Uisce Éireann said, “The works in New Road, Donabate are part of our national drive to reduce leakage and build a stronger, more resilient water network. By upgrading ageing infrastructure, we are working to ensure communities have a dependable water service that supports them to thrive. 

“Fixing leaks is complex, especially across an older and fragile network estimated at 75 to 95 years old, but these improvements will deliver long-term term benefits for the local community - reducing bursts, strengthening supply, and cutting the amount of treated water lost before it reaches the tap”. 

The section of works will take place along New Road from the junction with R126 to the junction with Corballis roundabout. 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.  

Works will begin from 23 March and are scheduled to be completed in early summer. Once completed customers in this area will enjoy an improved water supply with less disruption. GMC Utilities Ltd are contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Uisce Éireann.  

We have measures in place to keep disruption to an absolute minimum but to protect the public and our crews, a traffic management system will be in place during the works. Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained.

This project is one example of how Uisce Éireann works every day to reduce leaks. With more than 65,000 km of underground pipes nationally- enough to circle the earth one and a half times - fixing leaks can be complicated. Many are hidden, but we are making progress: national leakage is now at its lowest ever, reduced from 49% in 2014 to 36%. 

To learn more, visit our National Leakage Reduction Programme page.