Work to start next week on Ballivor water upgrade

Uisce Éireann has announced that works will start next week to increase storage and upgrade the water network in Ballivor.

Two projects will be carried out- the installation of a new treated water reservoir to increase storage capacity at Kilmurray Water Treatment Plant; and the construction of an additional five kilometres of water main from the plant into Ballivor village.

It is now almost five years since the Ballivor Reservoir project was announced and residents have regularly highlighted issues with both frequent outages and low water pressure.

Last month, during the spell of hot weather, parts of the village were out of water for up to four days and local schoolchildren had to be sent home from school as tanks ran dry.

News that long awaited works to improve the Ballivor supply are finally due to start will be welcomed in the area and Uisce Eireann say works are expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.

According to Uisce Eireann the installation of a new treated water storage reservoir to secure potable water storage capacity is designed to improve the security of supply to approximately 2,500 customers in Ballivor, ensuring that there is at least 24 hours of capacity.

The project will also modernise and improve the water treatment process at Kilmurray Water Treatment Plant, improving the drinking water quality. All works will be carried out within the existing site boundary and off public roads.

The second part of the works involve the installation of an additional five kilometres of new water main, alongside the existing main, to cater for the future growth and development of the wider Ballivor area. These works will take place from Kilmurray Water Treatment Plant along the R156 to the centre of Ballivor village.

Matthew Thomson, Portfolio Manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “These works are an important investment in Ballivor’s water infrastructure. As well as increasing storage capacity and ensuring resilience and security of supply, the upgrades will support new housing and future social and economic growth in Ballivor.

“We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause. We would like to thank the local community for their patience while we deliver these essential improvements.”

The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by GMC Utilities Ltd and Shareridge and are expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.