Water leakage rate in County Louth is running at 32%

IRISH water estimates that the leakage rate in homes across County Louth currently stands at 32%.

The rate is based on figures from the national metering programme, which shows that leakage from the network is a serious problem on a national scale.

The National metering programme estimates the leakage rate in Meath is 39%, based on 2015 figures while lost water nationally is estimated at 47%.

Figures just released to the end of March this year have shown that 573 householders in Louth benefited from Irish Water’s First Fix Free scheme as the utility responsible for the country’s water and waste water management urges more householders to avail of the free service.

Irish Water’s First Fix Free scheme launched in early 2015 across all metering regions in Louth and throughout the country.

To the end of March, 75,974 properties were identified with customer side leaks, 2,509 of which have been found in Louth.

In 2014 it was estimated that water leakage levels could be as high as 49%.

This figure was based on limited data, estimated customer use and varying methods of calculating leakage around the country. As a single utility, Irish Water is able to standardise methods of calculation of leaks and properly understand how much water households use through our domestic meter dataset of approximately 850,000 connections.

In May 2014 the Government announced funding of €51m for a scheme to address water leakage on pipework within a customer’s property boundary under a ‘First Fix’ scheme. Under the scheme Irish Water notifies customers where suspected leakage is occurring within the boundary of the property outside the home and offer a free leak investigation and repair if appropriate. The vast majority of leaks are underground so go unnoticed and undetected.

To avail of the scheme, customers must have a confirmed leak on their external supply pipe; have water meter installed on their property (so the leak can be verified); and have a working and accessible inside stop valve.

Irish Water’s Water Conservation Strategy Specialist Kate Gannon, welcomed the number of householders in Louth who are availing of First Fix Free while encouraging greater uptake of the scheme.

‘Leakage of water from the network is a serious problem on a national scale and that is reflected here in Louth,’ she said.

‘Lost water is estimated at 47% nationally and 32% in Louth. 2,509 of households in Louth will have already received a letter indicating a potential leak on their property and these householders should contact Irish Water, if they haven’t done so already, to request a free leak investigation,’ she added.