Bantry, Crookstown on Irish Water's summer works list

IRISH Water has announced details of a €3.2m investment to upgrade 17km of water mains in Co Cork, which will involve some shut-offs in supplies when the new mains are connected.

The project will see the replacement of old water mains that are prone to leakage, regular bursts and interruptions to supply throughout the county, the utility said. ‘It will result in significant improvements in network performance and security of supply,’ it added.

According to Irish Water’s Regional Information Officer, Aisling Buckley, the works will improve water supply and reduce leakage in a number of areas throughout Cork including Bantry, Ballylickey, Coachford, and Crookstown. ‘Many of these areas are serviced by old water mains that are in poor condition and their replacement will result in fewer burst mains, less leaks, interruptions to supply and an overall improvement in the water quality,’ she said.

 ‘This project is in addition to the €15.8m upgrade of water mains in Cork City which is already underway.

 The estimated savings, in leakage and reduction in unaccounted for water, as a result of both projects is estimated at 20.8m litres of water every week, or enough water to fill more than eight Olympic swimming pools in just 7 days,’ she added.

 The areas in West Cork to be targeted include Scart Road/Chapel Street/School Road; Market Street; Reenrour East Housing Estate; Old Barrack Rd; George’s Row; Marino Street/Town Lots; Blackrock Rd; Slip Lawn and Mileencoola in Bantry. In Ballylickey, the R584 Kealkil Road (Ballylickey to Pearson’s Bridge) and the R618 Macroom Road in Coachford are also included.

In Crookstown, Irish Water will be working on the R585 Pound’s Cross to Castlemore Road.

This is part of the Cork Countywide Advance Priority Water Mains Rehabilitation Project and is expected to start next month and be completed by early 2017.

 It will involve the replacement of existing old water mains with new polyethylene and ductile iron water mains. The work sections will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on residents, businesses and road users. 

The works will involve some short-term water shut-offs for a number of hours over a day or two in each area when the pipes are being connected to the system. The project team will ensure that householders and businesses are advised in advance of any works in their area and a minimum of 48 hours prior notice will be provided in advance of any planned water shut-offs.