Major upgrade on Sewer and Water Systems

By Zara Hill

An investment of €5.7 million towards the improvement of water services in Ballinasloe town as part of a major Galway project by Irish Water has begun. Works began on Contract 1 in mid May with the old N6 heading from the Health Centre towards Garbally Gates, as part of a major long awaited water services upgrade being carried out in the town by Irish Water. ‘’This important work will improve water services infrastructure in the area through the Ballinasloe Water Services Upgrade and Galway Water main Rehabilitation Project’’, according to Senior Resident Engineer with Galway County Council, Seán Whelan. 

For the local area, this €5.7million project–including design costs, land acquisition and site investigation involves two main elements including: water main rehabilitation and sewer network upgrade works. It is hoped that completion of this project will benefit the community in a number of ways by:

1. Reducing disruptions to water supply 
2. Improving water quality by removing old cast iron mains 
3. Reducing leakage in the network 
4. Reducing maintenance and operating costs 
5. Removing old service lines 
6. Increasing the ability to provide for future population growth in the area 
7. Improving the water quality in the River Suck by removing some of the combined storm overflows 
8. Improving road safety by installing new gullies and enhancing road drainage. 

A traffic management plan is in place as the works continue under the Ward & Burke Construction Company of Kilcolgan - along the N6 and a letter was issued to all homes affected by the works along Brackernagh in midMay, including an emergency contact number for any queries about traffic management or disruption. Since late May there has also been a road closure in place along Jubilee Street and the bottom of St. Michael’s Square. The road is closed in phases to allow the works to take place. As stated in the letter issued to occupants by Ward & Burke Construction Limited, ‘’work will be carried out on a phased basis, followed by connections to individual properties which will improve the services to these properties.’’ 

Additionally, residents have been informed that ‘’periodically, there will be disruption to customer water supply’’, and ‘’the bulk of these works will be completed over a six to seven month duration.’’ Senior Engineer Seán Whelan has explained that ‘’the section of road from the Health Centre out to Garbally Gates will be fully reinstated and upgraded early next year, once this work is completed.’’ Commenting on the project, Seán Corrigan, Regional Information Officer at Irish Water said; ‘’this project will bring great benefits to the people of Ballinasloe. It will provide an improved water supply to homes and businesses in the town and will improve the town’s capacity to grow in the future.’’ The Emergency Number of the Coordinator of the Phase 1 Declan Garvey is 086 0267035.