Tralee Back Yard Service Replacement Project

Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Kerry County Council, has replaced ageing back yard water mains, lead service connections and constructing new water mains in the Balloonagh Estate, Mountain Close, St. Josephs Estate and Michael O'Flynn Terrace, Tralee, Kerry to provide a more reliable water supply, improve water quality and reduce high levels of leakage.

In some older estates water connections, typically made of iron or lead, were installed to the rear of the property and are often referred to as backyard service connections. The pipework due to age and deteriorating condition are a significant source of leakage and reduced levels of service. Backyard services are usually shared, running through a number of neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Since all properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all properties usually resulting in low pressure.

The works in the Balloonagh Estate, Mountain Close, St. Josephs Estate and Michael O'Flynn Terrace, Tralee, Kerry involved the construction of approximately 940 metres of water mains, connecting properties to the new water mains and the decommissioning of backyard services/removal of lead service connections.

The works were carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke Limited and are were completed in May 2022.
 

The benefits of the backyard service works include:

• Reliable Water Supply - Replacing the old water mains with new water mains and service connections will reduce the instances of bursts and water outages and will ensure a reliable supply of water to customers in the area
• Reduced Leaks - Replacement of old water mains and service connections in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.
• Improved Water Quality - Removing existing old cast iron and lead from the water network and replacing them with new modern pipes will reduce the risk of contamination.
• Improved Operation and Maintenance - These works will deliver efficiencies including cost savings by providing improved water network operation that will require less maintenance in the future.

A survey is required at each property where a backyard service is in use. The individual survey is undertaken to assess the current water connection arrangement for that property and discuss the best way to connect the new service to the customers home.

Customers to benefit from these improvement works will be contacted directly by Ward and Burke Construction to provide information about the required works and to discuss a suitable time to carry out an individual survey.

The works, when they commence, may involve some short-term water shut offs and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48-hours' notice prior to any planned water shut offs. Where water mains are being constructed traffic management may be in place during this time. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.

We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause.