Prioritising investment to strengthen water supply for Ballinamore and surrounding communities

Uisce Éireann is continuing to prioritise investment in the water network serving Ballinamore and surrounding communities as it works to address longstanding challenges associated with ageing water infrastructure in the area. 

Almost 17km of water mains have been replaced or are currently under construction as part of a targeted programme designed to improve reliability, reduce the risk of bursts and provide a more resilient water supply for generations to come.

The significant investment reflects Uisce Éireann's recognition of the impact that repeated bursts and supply disruptions have had on local communities. Alongside responding to outages and repairing bursts as quickly as possible, Uisce Éireann is replacing ageing infrastructure with modern, more resilient water mains that will serve homes, businesses and farms across the area now and long into the future.

Since 2022, Uisce Éireann has replaced 12km of water mains serving Ballinamore, between Keshkerrigan and Ballinamore.

A further 4.9km of replacement works are currently underway at Fenagh to Ardrum Reservoir and from Toomans to Keshcarrigan. These works form part of a wider programme of investment aimed at addressing some of the oldest and most vulnerable sections of the water main network in South Leitrim.

Patricia Lowry who is Uisce Éireann’s Leakage Reduction Programme Manager for Co Leitrim said the investment programme is focused not only on addressing existing challenges on the network, but also on delivering long-term benefits for local communities: 
“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. 

“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.”

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."

The Leakage Reduction Programme projects delivered to date in Co Leitrim include sections of water main that have historically experienced a high number of bursts due to their age and condition. By replacing these assets, Uisce Éireann is improving the resilience of the network, helping to reduce future disruptions and ensure a more dependable water supply for homes, businesses, and communities across the Ballinamore area.

Uisce Éireann would also like to acknowledge and thank the Ballinamore community for its continued support and cooperation as works are carried out across the area. We recognise the patience shown by customers during both planned works and unexpected outages. We remain committed to delivering the long-term improvements needed to provide a more reliable and resilient water supply our customers across the wider Ballinamore area.