Irish Water replacing Ageing Water Mains in Crinkle, Co. Offaly to improve security of supply for local communities

Irish Water, working in partnership with Offaly County Council, is commencing works to replace ageing water mains prone to frequent bursts in Crinkle, Co. Offaly.

The works 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 connection on the public side is lead, these will be replaced as part of these improvement works.

Once complete, the benefits of the project will include a more reliable water supply for all customers on the public water supply in Crinkle. They will result in reduced leakage on the network. Operational and maintenance costs will also be reduced as the network operation will require less maintenance.

The work is part of Irish Water’s national Leakage Reduction Programme which, over the next 4 years, will 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.

The works are commencing this week and will involve the replacement of approximately 3100 metres of aged water mains with high density polyethylene (plastic) pipes. The works will take approximately three months to complete.

The works will take place in the following areas:

• Military Road
• Ely Place
• Leinster Villas
• School Road
• Barrack Street
• Roscrea Road (N62)
• Swag Street
• Cribben Terrace

The benefits of the works for customers in Crinkle will include:

– A reliable water supply

– Reduced Leaks

– Improved operation and maintenance

Customer Impact

Irish Water has planned the works in short sections in order to limit impact on customers. Traffic management will be in place over the course of the works.

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. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.

Commenting on the works, Georgina O’Reilly, Regional Lead on the Leakage Reduction Programme said, ‘The replacement of these ageing water mains in Crinkle, Co. Offaly 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. As part of it Leakage Reduction Programme works are ongoing to replace ageing mains in Mucklagh and Screggan while similar works have been completed in Rhode and Geashill. Plans are also in place to commence works under the programme in Brosna and Mountbolus in the coming months.’

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.

To find out more about Irish Water’s national programme of works to reduce leakage and improve Ireland’s water supply visit our Leakage Reduction Programme Page