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Carlow Surface Water Drainage Scheme
Carlow County Council and Carlow Town Council have established this project. The name of the project is Carlow Town Surface Water Drainage Scheme, Flood Relief Scheme Phase A and Watermain Rehabilitation Project.
Scheme Structure
The scheme contains five separate projects detailed below.
- Surface Water Drainage
The existing drainage network in Carlow is to be replaced with an improved drainage network. This will involve laying 20kms of new pipeline, combined sewer overflow chambers, pumping stations and rising mains. The new drainage network will improve flow capacity in the town and prevent surface flooding when pipes overflow onto the street during periods of intense rainfall.
- Watermain Rehabilitation
Due to the age of the network, many of the pipes are in such poor condition that they are prone to bursts, leaks and low water pressure, and so must be replaced. This project was set up to assist in reducing leakage by identifying and replacing old watermains that have outlived their usefulness. Approximately 8kms of new watermains will be constructed as part of this project.
- Flood Relief Scheme
We are all aware of the damage caused by flooding in Carlow in November 2009. Construction of Phase A of the Flood Relief Scheme will include works on the east bank of the River Barrow, north of the confluence with the River Burrin as well as along the northern bank of the River Burrin. The works will include construction of flood relief walls and embankments to protect against the 1 in 100 year flood event.
- Urban Relief Road
A new urban relief road will be constructed along the Barrow Track between Montgomery Street and Cox’s Lane. It will be 300m in length, with a mini-roundabout at either end of the road and a tow path adjacent to the River Barrow.
- Kernanstown Serviced Land Initiative
This element of the scheme will provide the infrastructure required for exiting and future development in the Kernanstown area. It will include the construction of a pipeline along the northern bank of the River Burrin, as well as a pumping station and a rising main.
Construction work started in May 2010 and will take place over approximately 2 years. The project has been going through the various stages of planning, design and approval since 1999 and Carlow County Council secured funding of 20 million Euro to complete the scheme over the next two years. This will be funded by Central Government through the DoEHLG and by Carlow County Council and the OPW.
How it will affect you
There will be very clear communications with you well in advance of any road closures, or water shut-off that may take place and directly affect you.
This project demonstrates the commitment of both central and local government to the ongoing conservation of water, improvements to infrastructure and protection against flooding, which are essential to Carlow’s sustainable development.