Irish water statement on charges

Irish Water sent the following release to the press yesterday, Tuesday, December 2.

• New water charging system is clear, simple and provides certainty for people

• Irish Water committed to making long overdue improvements to the country’s water services

Irish Water welcomes clarity given to the public on water charges, sets out what the charges will be and encourages homeowners to register before the deadline of February 2, 2015.

The charges that people are being asked to pay are as follows:
• the maximum charge for a single adult home is €160
• the maximum charge for a multi adult home is €260
• a €100 water conservation grant is available for every primary residence.

Charging for water will begin on January 1, 2015 and the first bill will arrive in April 2015.

Elizabeth Arnett, head of Communications and Corporate Services at Irish Water, said: “We welcome the clarity that the government has given on water charges. People now know what they are being asked to pay and that it’s possible to pay less and beat the cap by using conservation methods.

"A water conservation grant of €100 per year will be available for all primary residences, payable though the Department of Social Protection.”

Irish Water is asking those who have not yet applied to do so before Monday February 2. This can be done through the post, online or by calling the customer service centre.

How to apply:
• By post today: download the new form from water.ie and return to Irish Water, Freepost PO BOX 448, South City Delivery Office, Cork City

• Online any time at water.ie if you have the application number and PIN previously issued. If you do not have an application number and PIN you can call us or download the form and send it to us via Freepost

• By phone on 1890 448 448 – lines open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

If you have already applied and the number of people in your household has not changed, then you do not need to do anything.

Commenting on the need for long overdue improvements to the country’s water services, Ms Arnett said: “Ireland’s national water service is not fit for purpose. As it stands today, the water supply to nearly 900,000 people is at risk of disruption or contamination.

"More than 20,000 homes have contaminated water which is unsafe to drink and must be boiled before people use it. Furthermore, the raw sewage of 42 communities across Ireland is pumped into the environment every day.

"It can’t continue and Irish Water is committed to upgrading and improving Ireland’s water infrastructure.”