Works on replacing communal lead watermains in Mallow town is to commence within the next two weeks.
Over 200 properties in Mallow have lead watermains entering their houses from the existing cast iron watermains. The principal areas affected in the town where these communal lead mains are located include:
- Connolly Avenue/Thomas Davis Terrace
- Rockmount Terrace/Lisheen Row/Glenanaar Terrace/ Plunkett Terrac
- St. Patrick’s Terrace
- Pearse Terrace/Pearse Avenue
In order to comply with new EU Drinking Water Regulations, Cork County Council must provide an alternative water supply to the affected properties in order to allow householders to transfer their water supply away from the lead watermain. Cork County Council has employed Cork based engineering company Mott MacDonald Ltd who will assist in the removal of the common lead mains service in its entirety and the installation of a new water connection and control box in the footpath in front of each affected property.
Mallow Town Council will also provide additional funding to include for retrofitting of internal plumbing arrangements (within reason) where a supply has been brought into the attic from the front or connections made to the rear.
Welcoming these vital works, local Independent Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea said “The replacement of the lead mains in these areas is a very welcomed and important infrastructural development for the town. This work has been a high priority for me and the Water Services Team of Cork County Council and I am glad to report we are now in a position to proceed with the replacement of these lead mains within the next two weeks”.
The overall cost of the replacement of the lead mains in the town is in the order of €750,000. The project will have no cost to the individual property owners and in addition, Mallow Town Council has committed to providing funding towards the replacement and repair of footpaths affected by the works.
Cllr. O’ Shea added “While the works will involve some disruption to individual households, I hope that this can be kept to a minimum. The water supply will be disconnected while the connection is moved from the existing lead watermain to the new water supply but this shouldn’t take longer than a few hours. Traffic disruption will also be kept to a minimum during these works”.