A programme of key water network improvements are continuing to progress well in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Irish Water is working with Westmeath County Council to replace almost 850 metres of old cast iron water mains with modern pipes. These works will reduce the number of bursts and water outages impacting customers.

Work is due to commence in Lower Road and Lower Street of the town over the coming days.

The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers' property boundaries and connecting it to the customer's water supply. This section of works will take place on Lower Street and Lower Road from Marist College to Killyon Hill in Athlone.

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Speaking about the project Matt Thomson, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water said: "Irish Water acknowledges the ongoing co-operation and patience of local residents and businesses in Athlone while we continue to deliver these vital water network improvement works to improve the water supply. The size and scale of the leakage challenge nationally is well documented. These essential works together with the leakage savings and upgrade works to date will safeguard the water supply in Athlone now and into the future and will also support future growth and development."

To minimise the impact on customers, areas of work will be limited to short sections. To facilitate the safe delivery of these works some traffic management may be necessary, however, local and emergency access will be maintained. The works may involve some short-term supply interruptions which we understand may cause inconvenience. The project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours' notice prior to any planned water interruptions. Irish Water and Westmeath County Council regret any inconvenience these improvement works may cause.

The works will be carried out on behalf of Irish Water by GMC Utilities Ltd. and are expected to be completed by the end of June 2022.