Crews from Irish Drilling Limited have began site investigation works on behalf of Uisce Éireann for a major infrastructural project which will deliver a more reliable water supply across counties Mayo and Sligo.

The Ballina and Lough Talt Water Supply Upgrade Project will benefit 35,000 Uisce Éireann customers within the communities of Ballina, Bonniconlon and Tubbercurry.

Included in the works are an upgrade to Ballina's ageing water network and a new trunk main connecting Lisglennon to Ballina and onto Bonniconlon and Lough Talt laid.

This will increase capacity for future growth in the region and bring the end of water abstraction from Lough Talt which will restore natural lake levels and provide significant ecological benefits to local habitats and wildlife. 

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Discussing the project, Uisce Éireann's John McElwaine said: "The Ballina and Lough Talt Water Supply Upgrade Project is a significant investment for the region and investigative works are necessary to progress the project to the next stage. Traffic management will be in place in the benefitting communities in the coming months, but crews will make every effort to minimise disruption and local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.

"Our long-term plans to upgrade the existing infrastructure and network will deliver a reliable water supply for generations to come."

Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann has organised elected representative briefings and public information evenings to update locals on the project.

A drop in public information event will be held in Bonniconlon Community Centre on Monday, March 3 from 6-9pm. Two days later, on Wednesday, March 5, a drop in information event will be held in Killala Community Centre from 6-9pm.