A programme of water supply improvements is set to get underway in the Co Kilkenny village of Knocktopher.

Irish Water and Kilkenny County Council will work as a team to replace approximately 1,350 metres of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes. Work will begin in early February with completion expected in April.

The project team will work between the Knocktopher Village road sign approximately 150m north of Carrolls Centra, through Knocktopher Village to the Thomastown road junction adjacent to Scoil Aireagail.

Contractor Shareridge will deliver the project on behalf of Irish Water.

Speaking about the works, Irish Water's Programme Delivery Lead, Joe Carroll said: "These works are extremely important for the community and businesses of the village and surrounding areas. They will improve the water supply significantly in the area and provide some capacity for development through the reduction of the leakage on the network. We are appealing to the local community to bear with us as we carry out the works as they will involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers property boundaries and connecting it to the customers' water supply.

-- Advertisement --

"Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead; these will be replaced as part of this improvement work. It is a good news day for Knocktopher and we are pleased to be in a position to prioritise these works."

The benefits of these leakage reduction works include a more reliable water supply, as the replacement of water mains and service connections will reduce the instances of bursts and water outages ensuring a more

reliable supply of water to customers and local businesses in the area. The replacement of water mains and service connections will eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground. Removing existing old cast iron and lead from the public water network and replacing them with new pipes will reduce the risk of contamination.