More than 1,200 homes across Drogheda will have benefited from water network upgrades by the end of this year as Uisce Éireann continues work to replace ageing backyard services.
The programme will also have seen 5.6km of new water mains installed across the town, with recent works focused on areas including Lagavoreen, Moneymore and Yellowbatter.
Backyard services are older water connections that run through the rear of properties and are often shared between several homes. Many were installed using iron or lead pipes and have become increasingly prone to leaks, bursts and reduced pressure as they age.
Because the pipes can run through several gardens, they are also difficult to access and repair. In some cases, one home’s supply cannot be switched off without affecting neighbouring properties.
Uisce Éireann is replacing these shared connections with modern individual services connected from the public road or footpath.
The utility says the work is helping to reduce leaks, improve water pressure and make the network more reliable for households and businesses.
In Moneymore, works are almost complete on the installation of 2.1km of new water mains, replacing 266 backyard service connections.
In Lagavoreen, more than 170 backyard connections have already been replaced through 1.4km of new water main in Mount Saint Oliver, Marian Park, Priests Lane and Congress Avenue.
Further works are also under way in Sunnyside Cottages, St Mary’s Villas, Carmelite Cottages and Clintons Lane, where 84 homes are due to be connected to 540 metres of new pipe.
North of the Boyne, work began at the end of last year on replacing 400 backyard services in Ascal, Bredin Street, Sandyford Terrace, Crushrod and surrounding parts of Yellowbatter.
That scheme includes 2.15km of new public-side pipe.
Uisce Éireann’s Declan Healy said the works may not always be highly visible because they are often taking place within residential areas and back gardens, but they can make a significant difference for customers.
He said the upgrades are designed to provide improved water quality, greater supply reliability and reduced leakage, while also making the network easier to maintain.
Crews have been working with residents on a home-by-home basis to install the new connections and minimise disruption.
Uisce Éireann has also thanked homeowners for their cooperation while the works continue.
Road reinstatement is now under way in a number of locations as the new mains are brought into service and older pipes are retired.
The Drogheda works form part of Uisce Éireann’s national Leakage Reduction Programme.
Uisce Éireann says it has invested €2 billion in upgrading the underground water network nationally, with over €1 billion in further investment planned by the end of 2029.
Nationally, leakage levels are now at their lowest recorded level, with water loss reduced from 49% in 2014 to 36%.
