Water mains replacement project completed in Mayo town

IT was fitting that Minister Dara Calleary was on hand to mark the official completion of Uisce Éireann’s water mains replacement project in Ballina after watching the works progress through his home town.

More than 1.3km of old water mains, which were prone to bursts and caused disruption to homes and businesses in the town centre, were replaced in the past year.

Crews worked along Dillon Terrace, Pearse Street, Pawn Office Lane, Humbert, Walsh and Emmet Streets to carry out the important works.

Flanked by political colleagues, neighbours, friends and Uisce Éireann crews along the River Moy, the Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development remarked on the benefits of the project.

“This is a significant investment by Uisce Éireann in the town of Ballina and has given confidence to their customers of a reliable water supply for generations to come. It’s also further evidence of the government’s support for water services.

“I want to acknowledge Uisce Éireann’s team and their contractors Farrans on a job well done.”

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Councillor John O’Hara was impressed with the professionalism of the project team during the lifetime of the project.

“Uisce Éireann worked with the community to ensure minimal disruptions. Works were done at nighttime as much as possible and crews took a break during the Salmon Festival last summer to avoid any unnecessary disruption.

“It’s a fantastic piece of work and the way in which it was carried out was a credit to everyone involved,” he said.

Teamwork ensured the delivery of the successful project and Uisce Éireann’s programme manager, Enda Mac Namara, thanked the community in Ballina for their support.

He commented: “Locals are feeling the benefits of our works firsthand with fewer bursts. This project means a much more reliable water supply for the town centre for years to come. The team in Uisce Éireann is proud to have delivered such an important project.”

Ballina Chamber of Commerce President pary Moyles was also on hand to mark the occasion.

“Ballina Chamber of Commerce and Uisce Éireann worked closely together to ensure the successful delivery of this project. The project team kept us up to date of progress and were always on hand to answer any queries. It was a pleasure to work with them,” she said.

Students from St. Mary’s Secondary School, all members of the Green-Schools committee working to conserve water, were interested to hear that the Ballina project forms part of Uisce Eireann's National Leakage Reduction Programme and will help the utility to achieve its 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%.