Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Cork County Council to progress a project to upgrade the water supply in Ballyphilip and Whitecross, as part of its commitment to upgrade and improve water supplies across the region.

The project is part of Uisce Éireann's National Leakage Reduction Programme and is a further critical step in reducing the amount of treated drinking water lost to leakage, and improving customers' water supplies.

The project, which will begin next week, will involve the replacement of almost 1km of aged water mains between Ballyphilip and Whitescross that are prone to frequent bursts and leakage, impacting customers' supply. The old mains will be replaced with new, modern pipework, benefitting customers by strengthening and reinforcing the water network, reducing leaks and providing the local community with an improved and more reliable water supply for generations to come.

Portfolio Manager for Uisce Éireann's National Leakage Reduction Programme, Paul Moroney, is looking forward to getting crews on site.

He said: "Old and damaged water mains remain a significant source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and disruption to supply. Replacing these old water mains in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.

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"On behalf of Uisce Éireann, I'd like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and cooperation as we are fully aware that upgrades to our critical infrastructure can be inconvenient. However, based on previous experiences, we know that the short-term inconvenience will be overshadowed by the long-term benefits."

Areas of work will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers. To deliver the works safely and efficiently, a road closure will be in place for the duration of the project and diversions will be communicated locally. Local and emergency access will be maintained at all times. 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 customers' water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.

The works may involve some short-term water interruptions, however, the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours' notice prior to any planned water interruptions.

The project is being carried out by Ward and Burke Construction Ltd. on behalf of Uisce Éireann and is due to be completed by the end of August.

The National Leakage Reduction Programme helps provide a more reliable water supply to Irish communities by reducing high levels of leakage and improving water quality. Since 2018, its delivery has represented an investment of over €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the Leakage Reduction Programme. Uisce Éireann is investing a further €250 million annually up to the end of 2030 directed at fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply. For more information, visit our National Leakage Reduction Programme Page.