The site of the works in Cavan Town, as being undertaken by contractors on behalf of Irish Water.

Cavan Town mains repair project enters final phase

Work on the sixth and final phase of the multi-million euro water mains rehabilitation project in Cavan Town began this week.

Phase Six - from the junction at Cock Hill on Church Street to Farnham Street - started Tuesday, August 4.

Since works began last January, approximately 1079 meters of new water mains have been successfully installed and 60 service connections completed on the project to date, which forms part of Irish Water's Leakage Reduction Programme.

Works also included the replacement of ageing water mains with high density polyethylene (plastic) pipes, and the decommissioning of 212 metres of problematic mains.

The project also involved laying new water service connections from the new public water main to customers’ property boundaries and connecting those to the customer’s water supply.

Any existing service connections on the public that were made of lead were also replaced.

A variety of factors including weather, ground conditions and services hampered progress of the project through the early phases; while restrictions around COVID-19 also had an impact.

But work resumed and phase five [Thomas Ashe Street to Church Street] was completed on Friday, July 24, before the contractor Farran’s Construction Ltd signalled that it was preparing to press ahead with the next step on the plan.

Traffic restrictions

As works proceed further into Phase Six, Irish Water is warning that a number of restrictions will be in place along Church Street to Farnham St Junction for traffic. However, the contractor will continue to ensure there is as “minimal disruption” as possible.

“We would like to thank the local community, businesses, homeowners and commuters for their on-going support and patience while we deliver this vital network improvement project in Cavan Town,” a spokesperson for Irish Water told The Anglo-Celt last week.

The spokesperson for the semi-State utility added: “Irish Water appreciates this is a difficult time and would like to reassure you that we are working with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services.”