Wicklow customers are encouraged to sign up for text alerts ahead of the bank holiday weekend to receive real-time updates specific to their area during the repair operation.

Uisce Éireann is to carry out what it says is the largest repair operation ever undertaken on Irish water infrastructure — with critical works on the Ballymore Eustace to Saggart trunk watermain, a pipeline that keeps taps running for homes and businesses throughout Wicklow and far beyond.

Although the watermain itself runs largely out of sight, it forms part of the backbone of the region's drinking water network.

The 25km pipeline carries around 220 million litres of treated water every day, supplying an estimated 1.7 million people across parts of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow — including many Wicklow towns and villages that depend on the connected network for everyday supply.

The repair works are the latest stage in an ongoing programme to strengthen the pipeline, cut leakage and reduce the risk of future bursts, following earlier phases completed in 2024 and 2025 that saved an estimated 1.5 million litres of water per day and improved the resilience of the network.

What's Happening Over the Bank Holiday Weekend

Over a concentrated 27-hour repair window during the August bank holiday, specialist crews will carry out a programme of urgent works, including fixing several significant leaks and replacing a damaged section of the watermain.

Nicola Butler, Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann, said the scale of the operation is unprecedented, bringing together almost 300 personnel — including specialist engineers, technicians, operational crews and network experts — working around the clock throughout the 27-hour repair window to safely return the pipeline to service.

She added that despite being largely invisible to the public, the pipeline is one of the most important pieces of water infrastructure in the country.

Minimising Disruption for Local Communities

Uisce Éireann's Portfolio Manager, Mark O'Duffy, said extensive planning has gone into ensuring the repairs cause as little disruption as possible for people in Wicklow and neighbouring counties.

This includes filling treated water reservoirs supplying Dublin and surrounding counties to capacity in advance, along with contingency plans to maintain water services throughout the works.

The repairs come at a time when water supplies nationally remain under pressure, making it increasingly important to protect every litre of treated drinking water and to reduce losses across the network — part of wider efforts to safeguard supplies for customers amid rising demand and ongoing conservation measures.

Support for Vulnerable Customers in Wicklow

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Éireann will receive direct updates for any planned or unplanned outages lasting more than four hours. Wicklow residents who wish to register — either for themselves or as an alternative contact for a vulnerable household member — can do so via the Vulnerable Customers page at water.ie.

How to Stay Informed

Uisce Éireann says it is committed to keeping customers updated around the clock across several channels:

• Website: water.ie — Supply and Service Updates section for the latest information on the repair works

• Social media: X channels @IWCare and @IrishWater

• Customer care helpline: 1800 278 278 (24/7)

• Free text alerts: Sign up with your Eircode and mobile number via the Text Updates page on water.ie for real-time local updates