
‘Very concerned': Regulator sets deadline for Uisce Éireann to provide data on leaks, sewage overflows and supply issues
In a letter to Uisce Éireann, the CRU said there had been problems getting details from it since 2020 and it was now 'very concerned'.
'Uisce Éireann's failure to report on these metrics means the utility is non-complaint with the current regulatory framework,' the letter said.
'These metrics, particularly security of supply, are of key interest to the Uisce Éireann board, its customers, developers and stakeholders including local, indigenous and international industry.
'Accurate, timely and complete reporting assists customers, stakeholders and the CRU to understand which areas of the network are most at risk and require targeted investment.
'Uisce Éireann's failure to provide this information to date hinders customers' and the CRU's ability to understand the utility's full performance.'
The letter acknowledged that Uisce Éireann was 'engaging with the CRU' on the matter but also set a June 30 deadline.
In a statement in response, Uisce Éireann said it 'notes' the CRU's assessment, which came in two reports published yesterday.
'These reports assess the utility's performance against a wide range of metrics as set by the CRU, and provide information on water/wastewater services,' it said.
'In the Performance Assessment Framework report, the CRU recognises the progress being made by Uisce Éireann across a range of areas, while also acknowledging that challenges remain in relation to certain targets.
'Where targets have yet to be achieved, Uisce Éireann is committed to meeting these in the shortest possible timeframe.'
The company did not commit to providing the outstanding information by the June deadline.
The CRU reports annually on Uisce Éireann's performance and these latest assessments relate to the utility's work in 2023, when almost €2bn was spent on water and wastewater services.
'This significant investment by Uisce Éireann is welcomed and delivered certain improvements,' the CRU said.
It said, however, there were areas of 'underperformance and required improvement' and that continued heavy investment was needed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Uisce Éireann over halfway through ‘critical' repair works on Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare water supply
After nine months of planning, water running through the pipeline was turned off late last night to fix five leaks within the underground pipeline that transports a third of the drinking water for the Greater Dublin Area. 'I am happy to advise the works are progressing according to plan,' said Declan Healy, Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann. 'As we speak, specialist crews are within the pipeline and are fixing the leaks. 'We have also carefully cut the damaged section of pipeline and the cranes have removed these pieces. "The team are now preparing the excavation and shortly, we will commence laying the new pipe sections.' The large-scale operation involves the removal of 35 metres of pipeline to allow for the installation of a new section of pipe, with crews having just 28 hours from the time the section of pipeline is isolated to complete the work before supplies start being hit. "Small actions can help maintain everyone's water supply during the critical repair works,' Mr Healy said in appeal to customers to limit their water use while work is underway. The company said it chose the August Bank Holiday to conduct the repair works because there is typically a lower demand for water at that time. Mark O'Duffy, Uisce Éireann's infrastructure delivery manager, said called the operation 'the largest water network repair ever undertaken' in the country. "More than a thousand people have been involved at various different stages over the past few weeks,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT "Uisce Éireann operations and water services staff have been preparing the network across the city and in Kildare and Wicklow, managing storage levels to maximise our strategic storage to move water on the network so that it's optimally prepared for the shutdown.' Customers in Kildare and South Dublin who are supplied directly by the pipeline will be without water supplies for the duration of the works, but alternative supplies have been arranged with them, Mr O'Duffy said. The company has ensured that all treated water reservoirs in the greater Dublin area are as full as possible, and is urging customers to limit their water use which it says will help the repair teams to complete their work more quickly. "For this weekend we are appealing to everyone to act together and only use water for essential needs,' the company's head of water operations Margaret Attridge said. "Please hold off on filling baths, car washing, power hosing, window washing, filling paddling pools and anything that is not vital. "Reducing your water use will help maintain or extend water supply during the repairs, for yourself and, importantly, for vulnerable and high-risk users including hospitals and care homes.' The company's programme manager Declan Healy said it has an 'hour-by-hour programme' by which works will be conducted. "We have even done dry-runs just to work out all the timings. But with all complex civil engineering projects like this one, things on site can change, and things can go wrong.' Specialist repair crews will have only 28 hours before water levels become so low that customers will begin to experience inevitable shortages in water supply. The company has issued advice for the region's 1.7 million customers', including filling a jug with water to store in the fridge and turning off pre-programmed appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines to alleviate water use during the planned pipeline works.

The Journal
16 hours ago
- The Journal
Water supply in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow could be interrupted this weekend due to major works
MAJOR REPAIR WORKS are underway in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, which may affect water supplies. Uisce Éireann said the critical and complex repair works concern a major pipeline that supplies drinking water to a third of the Greater Dublin Area. The water running through this major pipeline will be turned off to facilitate the works, which began on Friday night and are expected to last the full Bank Holiday weekend. Uisce Éireann is appealing to customers in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow to only use water for essential needs to help maintain everyone's supply. It said the August Bank Holiday was chosen because there is generally a lower demand for water at this time. 'However, there is still a risk that customers in Dublin and parts of Kildare and Wicklow may experience interruptions to their water supply including low pressure, discoloured water, or water outages,' the utility added. In preparation for the works, treated water reservoirs in the counties affected were filled up to maximum capacity. Advertisement Head of Water Operations at Uisce Éireann, Margaret Attridge, said the major pipeline can only be shut down for up to 28 hours before the water storage levels become too low. 'Therefore, the specialist repair crews have a very tight deadline to finish the repairs and refill the pipeline with water,' she explained. 'We will work through the day and night this weekend to complete these essential works as quickly and safely as possible.' Customers in the counties affected are asked to hold off on filling baths, washing cars, power hosing, window washing and filling paddling pools until Tuesday. The Uisce Éireann team have been preparing to carry out the complex works for nine months. 'Specialist teams are ready to go inside the pipeline to repair five active leaks using bespoke methods, while another team will remove 35 metres of worn-out pipeline and install a new section of pipe,' Declan Healy, Programme Manager at Uisce Éireann, said. Customers are warned that following this type of work, 'occasionally issues' such as cloudy water (air bubbles) or internal airlocks may arise. Advice on how to resolve these issues can be found at on the Uisce Éireann website . The Uisce Éireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. For updates and a live interactive map, customers can visit the Water Supply Updates section of the same website . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish consumers to see lower electricity bills as levy to fund renewable energy to fall 38%
Irish households will have €24 added on to their electricity bills over the next year to help fund renewable energy projects and meet climate goals, the energy regulator has said. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) set out the final decision for the public service obligation (PSO) levy for 2025/26, which is shared across all electricity customers to help support projects such as wind and solar across the country. 'For the PSO year starting on 1 October 2025, the CRU has calculated that the monthly PSO levy will be €2.01 and €7.77 for domestic and small commercial customers, respectively,' it said. 'This compares to the current (2024/25) PSO levy, which is set to €3.23 and €12.91, and will result in a 38% and 39% decrease respectively.' While it is a decrease on the previous year, it comes as households continue to face strain on their finances, particularly when it comes to essentials like groceries and energy bills. A flash estimate on inflation for July from the CSO earlier this week suggested the cost of food is rising at nearly three times the rate of general inflation. When it comes to energy bills, a recent price hike announced by Flogas has raised fears other energy companies will follow suit heading into the winter. It also comes ahead of this Government's first budget, which has ruled out the kind of cost-of-living supports that marked previous years. The PSO levy charged to customers each year is based on the wholesale price of electricity. When wholesale prices are higher, the PSO levy for households is lower because renewable energy generators are earning more for electricity they produce and do not require that level of subsidy. During the huge surge in energy bills following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the PSO levy was set to zero. However, households have begun to be charged more on their bills through the levy again, as wholesale prices have come down. CRU said the levy supports significant amounts of renewable energy generation in Ireland, and the country 'continues to make significant progress in advancing renewable energy'. 'The PSO levy is important in supporting clean energy and in helping Ireland meets its Climate Action Plan targets in 2030,' it added.