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Water mains upgrades begin in Galway village as part of €500m national programme

By Emma F. Smith, Independent.ie

Works are underway in a Galway village to replace ageing water infrastructure as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, which aims to tackle the 37pc of treated water lost before reaching household taps.

The project will see 760 metres of old cast iron water mains in Craughwell replaced with modern piping, alongside new water service connections to improve links between public mains and customers’ homes.

The works in Craughwell form part of a wider national investment plan, which began with a €500 million commitment and will see €250 million invested annually until 2030. The goal is to reduce water loss to 25pc by the end of the decade.

Galway East TD Deputy Dolan welcomed the long-awaited upgrades, describing them as “essential infrastructure” that will deliver cleaner and more reliable water to residents and visitors.

“This project is not just about fixing pipes, it’s about futureproofing the village’s water network, supporting local growth, and ensuring that Craughwell continues to be a great place to live and do business,” he said.

“Investments like this are critical to rural communities across East Galway. They improve quality of life, support local development, and demonstrate the importance of continued investment in essential public services,” Deputy Dolan added.

The works will take place along the R446, R347, and Killora Court, with completion expected by early 2026. Uisce Éireann has confirmed that traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum, although short-term water outages are expected in the coming months. Customers will be notified in advance of any interruptions.

Residents with queries or concerns are encouraged to contact the Uisce Éireann Customer Contact Centre on 1800 278 278 or visit www.water.ie for updates.