Work is progressing on track on the Sligo City Water Main Rehabilitation and Pearse Road Sewer Network Project according to Irish Water with the contractors on track for a May 2018 completion date for the mains replacement works.
Water Main Rehab Works
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council visits Sligo City Water Main Rehab Works
Cian Burke, Ward & Burke, Project Manager; Padraig Hanly, Irish Water, Infrastructure Programmes Regional Lead; Fineen O’Driscoll, Sligo County Council, Senior Engineer; James Melvin, Sligo County Council, Senior Executive Engineer; Mark Cummins, Sligo County Council, Senior Resident Engineer; Michael Mannion, Ward & Burke; Tom Kilfeather, Sligo County Council, Director of Services; Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Hubert Keaney; and Mary Harty, Sligo Chamber. Photo James Connolly.
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Hubert Keaney visited the site on Friday to view the progress being made.
The €6.8 million investment by Irish Water in Sligo City, in partnership with Sligo County Council, involves the replacement and rehabilitation of ageing water mains, installation of new sewers and replacement of all service connections.
The project will benefit residents and businesses by reducing leakage and bursts and improving water quality and supply to consumers.
To date works in Cleveragh Road, Tonaphubble Lane, John Street and Smiths Row have been completed. Works are ongoing on JFK Parade with road closures planned for JFK parade from May 10-19.
Padraig Hanly, Irish Water’s Infrastructure Programme Regional Lead commented:
"The contractor has been progressing well with the works programme. To date they have completed mains laying works in Cleveragh Road, Tonaphubble Lane and have moved to the city centre where works will continue to progress over the coming weeks. The contractor will notify residents and businesses in advance of any planned works as they progress through their works programme. This investment will greatly improve the water infrastructure for residents and business owners in Sligo City. The replacement of these ageing water mains will improve the security of supply to customers and will also ensure that the existing and future residential and commercial development needs of the town are served. Water quality will also be improved by replacing existing cast iron pipes with new plastic polyethylene pipes."
Ward and Burke Construction Limited are the appointed contractors for this project which involves the replacement and rehabilitation of approximately 8.7km of ageing water mains, the installation of 1.5km of foul and storm sewers in the Pearse Road area and the replacement of all service connections including any lead services encountered.
The project will also deliver financial savings over the medium and long term through reduced maintenance costs associated with the upgraded pipeline.
Following last Friday’s site visit, Councillor Keaney said:
"The replacement of these ageing water mains that are prone to frequent bursts will improve the service being supplied to the people of Sligo. This partnership between Irish Water and Sligo County Council will lead to significant improvements and is universally welcomed by local householders and businesses. I want to commend the project team for their work to date and acknowledge the patience and understanding of the people directed affected by the ongoing work. "
This project forms part of Irish Water’s investment plan. Works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Irish Water’s Business Plan. Delivery of the business plan will involve a €5.5 billion investment in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity and new infrastructure up to 2021.
The work sections on this project will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on residents, businesses and road users. The works will involve some short-term water shut offs for a number of hours over a day or two in each area when the pipes are being connected to the system. The project team will ensure that householders and businesses are advised of any works in their area in advance and will be given a minimum of 48 hours prior notice of any planned water shut offs.
The project team will notify the local community in advance of planned works in their areas and provide contact details should they have any queries. The team will work closely with businesses to minimise any potential disruption and with An Garda Síochána to manage traffic while the works are underway.