Residents in Cork city are being invited to find out more information about a planned water mains replacement project in the city centre.

Approximately 4km of old water mains will be decommissioned and replaced by contractor Coffey Northumbrian to provide a secure and reliable water supply for the people of Cork City.

The project forms part of Irish Water's €500m national Leakage Reduction Programme to reduce leakage and improve water supplies over the next four years. Up to €20m will be invested in Cork City's distribution network this year via water mains rehabilitation, lead service replacement, leak detection and repair programme and the First Fix Free scheme. Up to three million litres of treated water every day is expected to be saved as a result.

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In addition to providing a more secure, reliable supply, removing old cast iron and lead pipes from the public water network and replacing them with new ductile iron and plastic (polyethylene) pipes will also reduce the risk of contamination, helping to protect customers' health.

A drop-in session relating to the planned water network improvement works will take place from 5pm – 7pm at Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain Street on Thursday, 05 July. Members of the public are invited to drop in, meet the project team and find out more about the proposed programme of works.

Steven Blennerhassett, Network Programme Lead, said: "Replacing these old water mains on MacCurtain Street, the Lower Glanmire Road and surrounding streets will reduce leakage and result in a major improvement in the water supply for our customers in the area.

"Combined with the proposed upgrade of the Lee Road water treatment plant and ongoing water main rehabilitation work throughout the city, this is part of Irish Water's commitment to providing the people of Cork with a modern, safe and efficient water supply network."

Site investigation work is scheduled to get underway on Monday, 02 July ahead of main construction beginning.

(LM/MH)