One of the world’s largest metre installation programmes

• Project allowed for precise detection and repair of leaks, significantly reducing water wastage across the country. 
• Provided reliable water usage data, leading to fairer billing and customers correctly charged. 
• Generated 1,600 jobs across various sectors. 

In 2013, almost half of Ireland’s water supply was subject to leakage due to poor pipes and a lack of long-term investment. It was costing €1.2bn every year to run the Irish public water system, and unlike anywhere else in Europe, water consumption in Ireland was neither measured nor directly charged for. 

As part of the Irish Government's vision to reform water provision and operations in the country, Irish Water was established, comprising a single national water utility combining the water services formerly provided by 34 local authorities. Domestic water charges were introduced by the Irish Government. 

Mace were instrumental in developing and implementing the country’s inaugural customer-side leakage programme, First Fix Free, to fix leaks at no cost to the customer. This programme was launched in early 2015 across all metering regions throughout the country and, combined with a programme of education, has saved over 48 million litres of water per day to date. 

Based on site in Irish Water’s offices in Dublin, Mace provided the client with project and programme management as well as subject matter expertise on meter billing and revenue collection, metering technology, and customer-side leakage.