Major works continuing on critical repair in Kildare to secure the drinking water supply

Critical and complex repairs began on Monday to a major trunk watermain that connects Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant and the Saggart Reservoir, to safeguard water supply to 1.7 million customers in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including parts of Kildare. 

Specialist teams turned off the water late last night on the trunk main with repair and excavation crews now working day and night to repair the pipeline. 

Customers in Dublin and Wicklow may experience interruptions to their water supply including low pressure, discoloured water, or no water this Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th August 2024. 

Customers in Naas and surrounds will continue to have interrupted supplies and no water until later this evening at approximately midnight. Supply to essential services such as Naas hospital will be maintained.

Customers in Arthurstown, Tipperkevin, Rathmore and surrounding areas who have been impacted by a water outage from 8pm last night will continue to be without water until the early hours of the morning. 

Customers in the following areas may also be impacted from 7pm on 13 August until 4am on 14 August: Castlewarden, Sallins, Ardclough, Ballagh Cross, Baltracey Lane, Clane, Carbury, Rathcoffey, Hortland, Johnstown Bridge, Kill, Sherlockstown, Tirmoghan, Tuckmilltown and surrounding areas.

As the project progresses Uisce Éireann will work to minimise the impact to customers while carrying out the essential repair works. Customers can help to avoid water outages for themselves and others by using less water.

Stephen Burke, Regional Operations Manager for Uisce Éireann said the repair is highly complex due to the nature and size of the pipeline and the quantity of water it carries. 

“This pipeline is large and very challenging to work with. It was built in the 1980s, it’s buried deep underground - between 2 and 4 metres, and it’s 1.6 metres in diameter meaning the average adult could stand in it. 

“A large area around the leaking part of the pipe has been cleared so that we can access it to carry out the repair. The excavation alone is 14 metres wide and 5 metres deep. Works are progressing as planned at this point and we will keep the public up to date on any impacts to water services.” 

Uisce Éireann is again asking the public in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow area to continue to make every effort to conserve water while the repair works are underway. 

The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is also open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries. For updates please visit the Water Supply Updates section of www.water.ie or our dedicated web page https://wtr.ie/8z9lup 

Customers in Kildare can access alternative water supplies at the following locations:

• Rathmore Youth Hall 
• Newtown Grove
• Walshestown 
• Aras Chill Dara 

 Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from the tanker and, as a precaution, boil the water before drinking.