Works to safeguard the water supply in Portlaw are set to get underway this week.
Irish Water says it's part of their programme to drive down leakage and reduce the number of bursts and unplanned outages impacting the community.
Crews will be setting up on site in Portlaw today and tomorrow with construction due to begin on Wednesday.
Irish Water, in partnership with Waterford City and County Council, is replacing over 1,000 meters of ageing and problematic backyard service connections in George Street, William Street, and then Brown Street in Portlaw.
They say it is in order to provide a more reliable water supply, improve water quality and reduce the amount of treated drinking water lost to leakage.
Replacing backyard services
Backyard services are found in older areas, often installed to the rear of a customer’s property and typically made of cast iron or lead.
Due to the age and deteriorating condition of the pipework, they are often a significant source of leakage and supply disruption for customers.
Backyard services are usually shared, running through a number of neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks.
Where properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all connected properties, resulting in low pressure and/or outages.
A spokesperson for Irish Waterford has told WLR News, "Irish Water would like to thank all customers in Portlaw who have engaged with us and assisted us in the provision of our back yard services programme which will not only result in significant water savings but will also reduce the number of bursts and outages impacting customers.
"These projects are only successful if all customers on a shared water connection support and facilitate these vital works so that the old and leaking mains can be decommissioned."
Speaking about the benefits of the project, Joe Carroll, Regional Delivery Lead with Irish Water, said: “Old backyard service connections are a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption.
"Replacing these old water mains and service connections in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.
"We would like to thank the local residents in Portlaw for facilitating these works and working with us to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come.”
Traffic disruptions
Where water mains are being constructed traffic management will be in place during this time. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.
Residents of the area being worked on will be asked to park elsewhere for a time.
These works will be carried out by Shareridge Utilities Ltd in partnership with Waterford City and County Council on behalf of Irish Water and are due to be completed by the end of December.
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