Uisce Éireann is intensifying investment in the water network serving Ballinamore and surrounding communities, addressing long-standing weaknesses linked to ageing infrastructure.

Almost 17km of mains have been completed or are underway as part of a targeted leakage reduction and renewal programme designed to improve reliability, cut the incidence of bursts, and deliver a more robust water supply for decades to come.

The scale of the works reflects the utility's acknowledgement of the disruption that repeated bursts and outages have caused locally. Alongside rapid incident response and repairs, Uisce Éireann is systematically replacing older assets with modern, more resilient mains to better serve homes, businesses and farms now and into the future.

Since 2022, 12km of water mains have been replaced between Keshkerrigan and Ballinamore.

A further 4.9km of upgrades are in progress from Fenagh to Ardrum Reservoir and from Toomans to Keshcarrigan, as part of a wider programme targeting some of the oldest and most vulnerable stretches of network in South Leitrim.

Patricia Lowry, Uisce Éireann's Leakage Reduction Programme Manager for Co Leitrim, said: "We understand the frustration and disruption that repeated bursts and supply interruptions have caused customers in Ballinamore and the surrounding areas. This is why we have prioritised significant investment in the local water network.

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"These works are about more than replacing ageing infrastructure. We are installing modern, resilient water mains that will provide a more secure and reliable water supply for local communities for generations to come. By investing now, we are helping to future-proof the network and reduce the likelihood of future disruptions for customers.

"Alongside the ongoing efforts of our operational teams to maintain supply and respond quickly to incidents, these upgrades will deliver lasting benefits for homes, businesses and farms across Ballinamore and the wider area."

The ongoing upgrades complement day-to-day operational activity to keep water flowing while long-term fixes are delivered, with both strands aimed at cutting the frequency and impact of supply interruptions across the area.

Cathal Gormley, Uisce Eireann Water Network Operations Team Lead for County Leitrim, said: "We want to assure customers in Ballinamore and the surrounding areas that whenever a burst occurs, our teams are on the ground as quickly as possible working to restore supply and minimise disruption. We understand the impact outages can have on homes, businesses and daily life, and restoring water supplies for our customers is always our priority.

"Our crews work around the clock, in all weather conditions, to identify faults, carry out repairs and restore water supplies as quickly and safely as possible. The commitment and dedication they show every day is helping to minimise disruption for customers, and I want to acknowledge the tremendous effort they make on behalf of the communities we serve."

Cathal added: "While responding to bursts is an important part of our work, we know that investing in long-term solutions is equally important. That's why we are continuing to prioritise Ballinamore and the surrounding area for investment, replacing ageing infrastructure and reducing the risk of future outages for customers."

Projects completed to date under the Leakage Reduction Programme in Co Leitrim have focused on mains with a history of frequent bursts due to age and condition. Renewing these sections is strengthening network resilience, reducing the likelihood of future disruptions and supporting a more dependable supply for customers across the Ballinamore area.

Uisce Éireann also thanked the Ballinamore community for its patience and cooperation during both planned works and unexpected outages, and reiterated its commitment to delivering the long-term improvements required to provide a more reliable and resilient water service across the wider area.