Lagavooreen, Drogheda to benefit from Backyard Service Replacement Project

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Louth County Council, is replacing ageing backyard water mains and providing new service connections for customers in Lagavooreen, Drogheda. This initiative aims to replace ageing backyard water mains and provide new service connections, significantly improving the water supply for the area.

The primary objective of this project is to minimise the frequency of bursts and enhance the resilience of the water network. By addressing the ageing infrastructure, Uisce Éireann are taking proactive steps to ensure a secure and reliable water supply for Lagavooreen.

These essential works will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of water lost into the ground, preserving clean drinking water for generations to come. The project in Lagavooreen involves decommissioning the ageing backyard water mains and constructing nearly 1km of new water mains along the public road. This comprehensive overhaul will benefit a total of 158 properties, providing them with a new and improved water supply.

Declan Healy, Uisce Éireann's Programme Manager, acknowledges the cooperation of the residents of Lagavooreen as they begin this project. He stated, "A survey is required at each of the 158 properties. The individual survey is undertaken to assess the current water connection arrangement for that property and discuss the best way to connect the new service to the customer's home. Replacing these old water mains and service connections in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks. We would like to thank the residents in Lagavooreen for facilitating these works and working with us to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come."

The works may require some short-term water interruptions, but the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours' notice prior to any planned interruptions. Where water mains are being constructed traffic management may be in place during this time. Local and emergency traffic will be always maintained. We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause.

In some older estates across the country water connections, typically made of iron or lead, were installed to the rear of properties, often referred to as backyard service connections. The pipework due to age and deterioration factors can be a significant source of leakage. Backyard water services are usually shared, running through neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Since properties may share a connection, leaks and bursts can affect all properties in a neighbourhood, which can result in low pressure. These types of projects are only successful if all customers on a shared water connection support and facilitate these vital works so that the old and leaking mains can be decommissioned.

The works will be carried out by GMC Utilities Group on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

This project forms part of Uisce Éireann's National Leakage Reduction Programme and will help us achieve our 2030 goal of a national leakage rate of 25%. The National Leakage Reduction team has made great strides since 2018 when the leakage rate stood at 46%. 

Since 2018, Uisce Éireann has invested more than €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the national Leakage Reduction Programme. We are investing a further €250 million every year up to the end of 2030 - fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply.

For more information, please visit our National Leakage Reduction Programme page.