Uisce Éireann’s efforts to reduce water leakage on the Cooley Peninsula are delivering significant results, with more than 780,000 litres of water now being saved every day following extensive leak detection and repair works in the area.
The volume of water being saved daily is equivalent to the average water use of over 5,800 people, roughly the population of Ardee.
The Cooley Peninsula is a popular tourist destination and experiences a substantial increase in water demand during the summer months. The ageing water network in the area is prone to leaks and, in the past, supply often struggled to meet demand during peak tourism season, leading to low water pressure or outages for local communities.
The leak detection and repair works were carried out under Uisce Éireann’s Find and Fix and First Fix Free schemes. These initiatives focus on locating and repairing hard-to-detect underground leaks in the water network and form part of the national Leakage Reduction Programme.
James O’Hagan, Water Network Operations Manager with Uisce Éireann, said the success of the Find and Fix initiative on the Cooley Peninsula highlights the importance of cooperation between the local community and frontline operational staff. He said that by using advanced leak detection technologies and targeted repair methods, more than 780,000 litres of water are now being saved every day, reducing water loss and improving supply reliability for residents and businesses, particularly during the high-demand summer period.
Declan Healy, Leakage Reduction Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann, said the First Fix Free scheme, delivered in partnership with regional contractor GMC Utilities Ltd, has allowed teams to address leaks on customers’ properties, contributing to the significant water savings achieved. He said that this collaborative approach, combined with public network repairs, ensured supply met demand throughout the busy tourism season, marking an important milestone for both the community and the future resilience of the network.
The programme has been underway on the Cooley Peninsula for eight months and continues to deliver positive results, with further savings expected as works progress. Incidents of water outages have reduced significantly, improving reliability for homes and businesses across Cooley, Carlingford, Omeath, Lordship and surrounding areas.
Innovative technologies, including camera inspections and geolocation tools, are now being used to identify hidden leaks and create further opportunities for repairs in the future.
The project forms part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme, which is delivering benefits to communities across Ireland, including improved water quality, a more resilient and sustainable water supply, and significant water savings.
Further information on the Leakage Reduction Programme, including the First Fix Free scheme, is available on the Uisce Éireann website. Members of the public can report leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Éireann on 1800 278 278 or online through the Report a Leak service.
Uisce Éireann also offers a free text alert service providing real-time updates on local issues. Customers can sign up using their Eircode and mobile number through the text alerts service.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services across Ireland and is committed to supporting communities by upgrading and developing critical infrastructure, providing safe drinking water and protecting the environment.
