Major water mains replacement works to begin in Ashbourne next week

Irish Water, working in partnership with Meath County Council, is commencing works to replace ageing water mains prone to frequent bursts on Milltown Road in Ashbourne, next week.

The programme to replace problematic water mains in Ashbourne is scheduled to commence next week and will involve the replacement of approximately 1.2km of aged problematic water mains with high density polyethylene (plastic) pipes. These works are being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme. The works will take place along Milltown Road, starting from the R135 Bridge Street and Milltown Road junction and ending near the Crenigans Bánóg estate. 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. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work. 

The works will be carried out on behalf of Irish Water by GMC Utilities Group and are expected to be completed by July 2019. Once complete, the benefits of the project will include a more reliable water supply for all customers on the public water supply. The works will result in reduced leakage on the network. Operational and maintenance costs will also be reduced as the network operation will require less maintenance.

Irish Water has planned the works in short sections in order to limit impact on customers. Works may involve some short-term water shut offs and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water shut offs. Traffic management will be in place over the course of the works. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.
Derek Deignan, Regional Lead on the Leakage Reduction Programme says: "The replacement of these ageing water mains in Ashbourne will improve security of supply for local residents and businesses alike. Replacing the existing water mains with new modern pipes will provide a long-term solution to ensure a safe and secure water supply is delivered to customers.

"Irish Water understands this type of work can be inconvenient and will ensure our work crews make every effort to minimise any disruption these works may cause."

Residents and businesses in the areas of the works have been notified and customers can call the Irish Water customer helpline on 1850 278 278 for any questions in relation to the works.

Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme will, over the next four years, see €500 million invested to reduce the level of leakage across the country by fixing and replacing ageing water mains. This will ensure a safe, reliable water supply which is vital for our health, our environment and our growing population and economy.