Critical repair projects have started on a major water main that connects the Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant and the Saggart Reservoir in the Greater Dublin Area. The repair work is essential to ensure the water supply for 1.7 million customers in the region.
Specialist teams began turning off the water on the trunk main late last night to begin the repair and excavation process. Crews are working around the clock to fix the pipeline, which is currently impacting customers in certain areas of Kildare. As the repair work continues, customers in Dublin and Wicklow may experience low water pressure, discolored water, or water outages today and tomorrow.
Stephen Burke, the Regional Operations Manager for Uisce Éireann, highlighted the complexity of the repair due to the size and nature of the pipeline. The pipe, which was installed in the 1980s, is buried between 2 and 4 meters underground and has a diameter of 1.6 meters, allowing an average adult to stand inside it.
A significant area surrounding the leaking section of the pipe has been cleared to facilitate the repair work. The excavation site is 14 meters wide and 5 meters deep. Despite the challenges, the repair work is progressing according to plan, and updates will be provided to the public regarding any impact on water services.
Uisce Éireann is urging the residents of Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow to continue conserving water while the repair works are ongoing. Customers can reach the Uisce Éireann customer care helpline 24/7 at 1800 278 278 or contact them via email at X @IWCare for any inquiries. For the latest updates, individuals can visit the Water Supply Updates section on www.water.ie or the dedicated web page at https://wtr.ie/8z9lup.
Additionally, an interactive GIS map displaying the affected areas is available at https://irishwater.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=93deb3f433e34018be56f65033cfc7e2. This map can help customers stay informed about the areas impacted by the repair works.
