More robust water supply is promised for the largest town in Tipperary

“We are on the ground and active in Clonmel,” says Colin Cunningham, Operations Lead for Uisce Éireann in Tipperary, following a number of difficulties that have been encountered with Clonmel’s water supply in the recent past.

Mr Cunningham said that work had been taking place in the areas such as Western Park, Connolly Park, Western Road and Albert Street to replace almost one kilometre of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes, along with the replacement of backyard services enhancing water quality and preventing the loss of treated drinking water into the ground.

There are plans for another mains replacement programme next year covering 1.6 kilometres in William Street, Bolton Street, Thomas Street and Prior Park.

When this work is carried out, the company says it liaises with stakeholders such as the Chamber of Commerce, schools, business representative groups and local councillors to manage the impact on the community when roads were dug up.

“Uisce Éireann endeavours to directly notify residents and businesses at least 48 hours in advance of any planned interruptions to the water supply.

“Areas of works are limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers. Traffic management in the form of a stop/go system is in place where water mains are being constructed but the community can be assured that local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times,” according to a company statement.

When the lack of information made available to customers when outages occurred was raised, Mr Cunningham said the company is looking at improving communications, including information posted on its website.

He said that the company listened to feedback from customers and elected representatives.

In a statement, the company says “Uisce Éireann proactively issues press releases to print, broadcast and online media outlets and news desks in Tipperary in advance of any significant outages, water restrictions (boil water notices or do not consume notices) and project milestones etc.

“The Uisce Éireann website is updated with press release content and our Water Supply Updates portal, which is on the homepage and is the most frequently visited page on the website, is updated with the latest information.

“We also provide updates directly to elected representatives and business representative groups as works progress, and will continue to listen to feedback on our communications channels and how best to enhance communications with local communities”.

The company also states, “Interruptions to supply as a result of burst water mains or treatment plant interruptions may result in water outages which are unplanned and cannot be communicated in advance. Uisce Éireann aim to update the services and supply map at www.water.ie as soon as details of a water outage is notified, along with an update on restoration times.

“Uisce Éireann also understands that some customers have different needs when it comes to using our water services and communicating with us.

“Uisce Éireann has a special service for those who are registered as critically dependent on water. You can register yourself or somebody in your home as a vulnerable customer by calling 1800 278 278 or emailing vulnerablecustomer@water.
ie. Our customer team will proactively update registered vulnerable customers in the event of an outage”.

Longer term, the company says it has committed to significant investment in the Clonmel area by the end of 2026 to deliver a more robust, resilient water supply that will include upgraded treatment facilities, additional storage and an upgraded network.

Eventually, one of the solutions included in the National Water Resources Plan (a strategic water supply review up to 2044) is the extraction of water from the River Suir to supply the Clonmel area.

However, Uisce Éireann is reluctant to put a timeline on what would be government policy and a major capital project.