GMC Utilities is to start work on a project to remove old lead pipes connecting properties in Dundalk to improve the supply of drinking water.

In homes built before the 1970's, it was common practice for the water supply pipes to be made from lead. The work will firstly involve site investigations to establish if lead pipe connections are present, as not all properties built before the 1970's will have lead connections.

The work, is due to get underway on Monday, 27 November and will commence in Green Acres, Afton Drive and Laurel Grove. The work includes site investigations decommissioning and replacing lead service connection pipes with modern high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pipes.

Derek Deignan, Irish Water's Networks Programme Regional Lead, explained: "Irish Water is responsible for the pipe from the outer edge of the boundary of a property. The property owner is responsible for the pipe from the outer edge of the property boundary to the building and all the internal plumbing. Where public side lead pipework is replaced as part of this project, the customer will be notified that it is likely that there is lead pipework present within their property. This notice will include tips on identifying lead pipework as well as information on a private side lead pipework replacement grant available from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. A simple way of identifying lead is to scrape the pipe gently with a coin or a knife – if a shiny silver strip is revealed, then the pipe is lead.

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"As well as providing a safer water supply for customers, the replacement of the ageing lead service connections, many of which are in poor condition, will reduce the instances of bursts in the area and thereby significantly reduce the level of disruption to Irish Water customers in Dundalk."

The work will involve laying a new water service connection from the public water main in the street to the customer's property boundary and connecting it to the customer's water supply. This may involve some short-term water shut offs and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours prior notice of any planned water shut offs.

(CD/LM)