Works to provide more reliable water supply in Pollagh

Works by Irish Water in April will bring improved water supply to Pollagh from July onwards.

Irish Water will replace 4km of old water mains, which is susceptible to leaks. The new pipes will eliminate existing leaks, reduce outages and stop the loss of clean drinking water.

Joe Carroll, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water, is looking forward to ensuring customers in Pollagh experience fewer disruptions to their water supply from this summer on.

“Working in partnership with Offaly County Council, we have prioritised leakage reduction works to those areas which need it most. Replacing this old water main in Pollagh will reduce the number of bursts and outages.

“The works will safeguard the supply in Offaly now and into the future and support growth and development in the area.”

The works will run from the junction of the Pollagh Road and Derrycooly to Rahan Road before continuing northbound towards Grand Canal. On reaching Pullough’s Community Shop, the section of mains replacement will loop back towards the Pullough Junction at Heathfield and continue southbound along the Back Road to the first junction at Island Lower.

In order to carry out these essential works a road closure is necessary. The closure will take place from the junction of the R357 and Rahan Road, heading towards Rahan, before continuing Northbound to Pollagh Village. It will continue across the Grand Canal, via Pollagh’s Community Centre, finishing at the Ballycumber road opposite St Manchan’s Church.

Northbound traffic to Pollagh village will be diverted westbound along the R357 to Cloghan Village before taking the N62 to Ferbane village and continuing eastbound along the Ballycumber Road (R436) to St Manchan’s Church. Local residents have been notified of the road closure and the diversion.

Mr Carroll said “we understand that this type of work can be inconvenient but work crews will make every effort to minimise disruptions. Access for local and emergency traffic will always be maintained.”

Ward and Burke Construction Ltd, who are carrying out the works on behalf of Irish Water, are expected to be finished on site by the end of July.

The works in Pollagh are being carried out under the Leakage Reduction Programme. Since 2018, Irish Water has invested over €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across Ireland by fixing leaks and replacing pipes and they are investing a further €600 million up to the end of 2024.

Irish Water’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. For updates visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Irish Water website.

For more information on the Leakage Reduction Programme visit water.ie/reducingleaks