Uisce Éireann: Enabling Ireland to thrive

Uisce Éireann, as Ireland’s national regulated water utility, is responsible for the delivery of secure, safe, and sustainable water services for the people of Ireland.

We are fully committed to playing our part in the delivery of water services to support the national drive to provide homes to people who need them. Our commitment is evident in our planned investments, nearly €6 billion under the National Development Plan 2021-2030.

Geoffrey Bourke, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Customer Operations, underscores this commitment, stating: “Uisce Éireann plays a pivotal role in providing essential infrastructure that enables the construction of new homes and businesses. Our substantial investments and major projects illustrate our unwavering dedication to enhancing water services infrastructure across the country.”

Uisce Éireann values partnership with all stakeholders committed to providing homes. By actively listening and adapting, we have made significant changes to better support the industry. Our engagement with key stakeholders such as the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA), the Local Government Management Agency, LA Housing Departments, Approved Housing Bodies and the Irish Council of Social Housing allows us to gather invaluable feedback and insights, ensuring that our strategies and initiatives align with the needs of the housing industry.

Our Connection and Developer Services (CDS) team provides a comprehensive range of resources and support materials for Developers, guiding them through the entire connection process.

Uisce Éireann is integral to Ireland’s national housing drive, developing and prioritising key water service infrastructure to support new homes and businesses. The National Development Plan 2021-2030 commits nearly €6 billion to water services. From 2020 to 2024, Uisce Éireann will invest €5.35 billion, driving significant improvements in water services infrastructure. Notably, the Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme, valued at approximately €88 million, has upgraded the sewer network for the Greater Dublin Area helping to protect the environment and enable future growth. Such investments highlight our commitment to laying the foundation for sustainable development.

Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme

A key focus for Uisce Éireann has been to support the delivery of housing and to deliver on our asks in the Housing for All programme. In recent years Uisce Éireann has increased its capability to support pre connection enquiries, planning referrals, connection applications and onsite quality assurance/checks to enable Uisce Éireann to vest infrastructure in a timely manner, supporting the delivery of housing and to provide a quality water service to these homes into the future.

In 2023, Uisce Éireann responded to 78 per cent of pre connection enquiries and 83 per cent of connection applications within 16 weeks, we issued positive responses to over 3,000 pre connection enquiries associated with more than 98,360 housing units and issued over 4,590 connection offers associated with 42,970 housing units.

Our Self-Lay in Public Roads Programme and the Experience-Based Accreditation (EBA) Scheme was initiated to empower developers and expedite housing delivery while maintaining the integrity of water services infrastructure. We launched the EBA Scheme 18 months ahead schedule on the 24 June 2022. To date 42 contractors have been approved for experience-based accreditation.

Uisce Éireann launched the First Mover Scheme in November 2023 as an enhancement to the Uisce Éireann Connection Charging Policy as directed by the CRU.

These innovations demonstrate our proactive approach in listening to the construction industry and developing these initiatives to support their needs. These initiatives apply to all development that meet the criteria, including social housing, AHB housing and private housing development.

In 2023 the Government approved a new package of housing support measures to incentivise the commencement of housing developments and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the refund of Uisce Éireann (UÉ) Standard Connection Charges. This scheme has been extended and applies to housing developments that have commenced on site between 25 April 2023 and 30 September 2024, and are completed not later than 31 December 2026. Applications to Uisce Éireann for refunds can only be accepted up to 31 December 2024. This scheme applies to all housing development that meet the criteria including social housing, AHB housing and/or private housing development. Developers need to apply before the scheme deadline as no refund can be processed outside of these dates.

Under the Self Lay Agreements, all developers are required to provide a Surety applicable to the water services local infrastructure. In 2024 we have made an enhancement to our Financial Security Policy which will allow developer to provide a Performance Bond for this surety.

At Uisce Éireann, collaboration allows us to work effectively in supporting the delivery of housing in Ireland. We recently established the Developer Services Forum, involving key stakeholders such as the CIF, Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI), and IHBA. This forum provides a national voice for developers and our stakeholders, helping to address industry challenges and the promotion of information sharing.

Uisce Éireann remains dedicated to enabling Ireland to thrive by providing the essential water services infrastructure needed to support housing and economic growth. Through strategic investment, innovation, and collaboration, we are committed to a sustainable future where water is respected and protected for all. It is Uisce Éireann’s responsibility to make the physical connection to the network to ensure the protection of public health for both new and existing customers.

For more information on our initiatives, to explore our comprehensive resources or to seek a connection, visit:
W: www.water.ie/connections