Irish Water to carry out site works across Athlone next week

Irish Water is set to undertake work in a number of parts of Athlone in the same week the one-way system is to be introduced in the town.

In a statement this week, Irish Water said it would be introducing traffic management as part of the project which commences on Monday in Assumption Road, Coosan Point Road, Beech Park West, Ardilaun, Beechpark, Arcadia, Battery Heights, John Mitchell Terrace and Saint Anne's Terrace.

Site investigation work will start on Monday to enable customer connections to a more reliable water main.

The project is designed to reduce leakage in the network, provide a more reliable water supply for customers, improve water quality and improve supply connections by replacing shared backyard services and lead connections. 

Irish Water said it is working in partnership with Westmeath County Council to invest in the water network in Athlone to reduce leakage, improve water quality and provide a more reliable service for customers.

Irish Water’s investment in Athlone is part of a water conservation and network improvement initiative to invest €500m to upgrade Ireland’s water infrastructure from 2017 to 2021. 

The site investigations in these areas to establish the existing services in place will be carried out by GMC on behalf of Irish Water.

Derek Deignan, Irish Water’s Networks Programme Regional Lead, explained: “Irish Water is investing in Athlone’s drinking water network to reduce leakage and provide a more reliable service for our customers.

“We will be commencing work next week in the following areas Assumption Road, Coosan Point Road, Beech Park West, Ardilaun, Beechpark, Arcadia, Battery Heights, John Mitchell Terrace and Saint Anne's Terrace.

“Customers in these areas are often impacted by poor water pressure. This project will greatly improve the water quality and security of the water supply for customers.”

The works will involve number of measures including removing shared backyard services and installing single connections from properties to more reliable water mains.

This may involve some short-term water shut offs and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours prior notice of any planned water shut offs. Areas of work will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers.

Traffic management will be in place for the duration of the works where necessary. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times. Irish Water said it would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience these essential works may cause.