Water charges

Information

Water charges are imposed by local authorities around Ireland. Commercial water charges are levied on all businesses in the country and must be paid to the local authority. Domestic water charges were abolished in 1997, but if you are a member of a group water scheme, you may still have to pay a certain amount for your domestic water. Water charges are used specifically to maintain and improve the water and waste water systems.

Budget 2010, which was announced on 9 December 2009, indicated that a system of water metering for homes will be introduced. Water charges will be based on the amount consumed above a free allocation.

Commercial water charges

Water charges are payable if water is being supplied for use by business, trade or manufacture. This includes hospitals, sanatoriums, homes for people with mental or physical disabilities, maternity homes, convalescent homes, laboratories, clinics, health centres, schools or clubs. There are two types of commercial water charges. You can either pay a flat rate or your water usage can be monitored using a meter.

Metered accounts

A metered account involves a meter being fitted to monitor the amount of water used. Metered accounts are subject to a minimum charge per year as well as a rental charge for the meter itself. The rental charge is usually paid on a quarterly basis. The minimum charge can vary, depending on what local authority you are dealing with.

Meters are generally used to monitor the amount of water used by large premises, e.g., factories and breweries. The meter is installed by the local authority and is read by water inspectors on a quarterly basis. A forthcoming EU directive will make it necessary for all commercial premises to have a meter. This is in keeping with the "polluter pays principle", which states that you must pay for the waste you create. Local authorities will be required to install water meters in all commercial premises when this directive comes into effect. At the moment, all new premises must make provision for a water meter in their planning application. For more information, you should contact your local authority directly.

A domestic allowance is available where the water supply is used jointly for domestic and commercial use. The domestic allowance can vary between local authorities. The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government issued a guidance document (Circular WSP5/06) to local authorities which states that, the domestic allowance should be set at 225 cubic metres per annum (49,500 gallons approx), but local authorities may allocate lower or higher domestic allowances. To apply for this allowance, you should contact your local authority.

Flat rate commercial charges

This is a flat rate charge that is payable to your local authority. The flat rate is calculated by estimating how much water your business uses. The volume of water will differ, depending on what kind of business you run and how many employees you have working for you. For example, a butcher's shop will be charged a lower rate than a hairdressers will because it generally uses less water. The flat rate will vary, depending on where you are, so you should contact your local authority directly for more information. There is no minimum charge set down in legislation for water charges. Each local authority can set its own rates, which are reviewed every year.

Domestic water charges

All water charges for domestic use in urban areas were abolished on 1 January 1997. Domestic use is defined as drinking, washing, heating and sanitation. However, in Budget 2010 it was announced that a system of water metering for homes would be introduced and that water charges would be based on the amount consumed above a free allocation.

Local authority (public) water schemes

Since the abolition of domestic water charges on 1 January 1997, all water supplied from the public mains is free. These public water schemes are administered and maintained by the local authority.

Group water schemes

Group water schemes are found in rural areas, which are outside the scope of the urban public mains system administered by the local authority. The group scheme can be made up of two or more houses. The group elects trustees and applies to the local authority to set up its scheme. The local authority will not deal with individuals in these cases and all arrangements and negotiations must be done through the trustees. Group schemes can be private or public, depending on whether their water is supplied from the public mains (public group water scheme) or a private source (private group water scheme).

All group schemes are fitted with a water meter so the local authority can monitor the amount of water used by the group. Each house will get a domestic allowance of 225 cubic metres (49,493 gallons approx.) per house. Domestic users rarely exceed this amount. If they do, the group scheme will be charged as a whole. Individual domestic users cannot be charged for exceeding this amount, as the meter monitors the water use of the whole scheme rather than individual premises. Therefore, the local authority has no way of telling which house used the water. The meter is checked on a quarterly basis and the allowances for domestic users are deducted from the whole. The remainder is charged at a set rate per cubic metre (219.9 gallons approx.). This rate varies from local authority to local authority.

Group scheme members are entitled to a subsidy from their local authority. The members of the group scheme must meet any additional costs, such as filtration systems and disinfection. How these costs are divided up among the members is up to the trustees and the group members themselves. The local authority cannot get involved in the administration of group schemes and has no responsibility for maintaining their pipes and filtration systems.

It is possible for a local authority to take over the maintenance of a group scheme. To do this, certain steps must be taken. All members of the group scheme must sign a waiver to say that they allow local authority personnel on their land to maintain pipes, etc. The group must also provide a map of the pipe system to the local authority. It must allow the local authority access to test the group's pipes for leakage. If the local authority takes over the scheme, it is then responsible for maintaining the water system and the members of the private group scheme do not have to pay for the upkeep of the scheme. If a group scheme decides to remain fully private, technical and grant assistance are available from the local authority for any upgrading works that may need to be carried out. These procedures will be updated when the Water Services Act 2007 (pdf) is brought into force.

Commercial premises like farms or other rural businesses that are members of group schemes are treated differently from private homes. They get a domestic allowance to cover the domestic water they use. In most cases, they will have a water meter fixed to monitor the amount of water used. The standard domestic allowance will then be deducted from the total to determine how much water was used in the running of the business. Alternatively, a fixed rate could be agreed upon and the business owner will pay this flat rate. If the business owner is a member of a private group scheme, the amount to be paid must be decided upon by the other members and the trustees. If the owner is a member of a public group scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to monitor the water usage and charge the owner accordingly.

Charges for public group water schemes

As a member of a public group scheme, you will be getting your water from the public mains system. If you are a domestic user, you will not have to pay any water charges to your local authority. Commercial users like farms or businesses will have to pay for the water they use in the running of their businesses. Their water use will be monitored and the local authority will charge them at the set commercial rate.

Charges for private group water schemes

Domestic users will still have to pay for their water if they belong to a private group water scheme. If you are a member of a private group water scheme, your water will be supplied from a private source such as a well or lake. Local authorities provide a subsidy for each house in a private group scheme just as they do for the public group scheme members. However, the subsidy for a private group scheme is higher to reflect the increased costs associated with a private water supply, such as filtration and disinfection costs. Commercial water users who are members of a private water scheme can either have a meter fixed to their premises to monitor their water usage or they can agree a fixed rate with other group members.

Private wells

If you sink your own well, you will not be liable for any water charges at all. You are entitled to a grant for the drilling of the well. However, the grant may not cover the full costs of the drilling or any further costs you may run into, for example, filtration. The council will have to test your well water for pollutants before you can use it.

Water quality

The local authority is responsible for testing the quality of the water in its area, in conjunction with the Local Health Offfice (HSE). The quality of water from the public mains is usually quite high and up the EU drinking water standards. If contamination problems do arise, it is the responsibility of the local authority to warn the public and take whatever measures necessary to deal with the problems.

Under the European Community (Drinking Water) Regulations 2007 (pdf), the local authority must contact the representatives of a private group water scheme serving 50 people or more within 14 days of receiving the results of a water quality test if the water quality is below EU standards.

A notice is then served on the group's representatives to prepare an action programme that will bring the supply up to the necessary standard as soon as possible.

Private group schemes serving less than 50 people should be notified by the local authority if their water supply falls below EU drinking water standards. The local authority must let the group scheme representatives know what measures are necessary to bring the water supply up the required standard. If there is a clear threat to human health from a contaminated water supply, the local authority must inform those responsible for the supply immediately of what actions to take to safeguard water users.

Grants

Grants are available from the local authority and the Department of the Environment and Local Government for filtration and disinfection of contaminated water supplies but it is the responsibility of the group scheme or well owner to deal with the situation. For more information on grants and what to do in the event of a contaminated water supply, you should contact your local authority.

Rules

All commercial premises, unless a personal hardship waiver applies, must pay their water charges without exception. If you do not pay your water charges, the local authority has the option of bringing you to the District Court to recover the charges from you. Alternatively, it can disconnect your water supply. This path is rarely followed because of the health and safety implications of a lack of water supply, particularly if it affects children or older people.

Group schemes are responsible for monitoring themselves. Members of group schemes who do not pay their share of the maintenance costs must be dealt with by the group and its trustees. The local authority cannot get involved in this situation as it has no authority over the scheme. It is up to the members and trustees of group schemes to decide who should pay what and the grounds on which charges can be waived or reduced.

Rates

Charges for metered water are payable on demand by the local authority. If they are not paid, the local authority can take the matter to the local District Court where the charges are recovered as a simple contract debt.

Water that is supplied on a fixed rate basis must be paid for in advance. The charges are broken into two equal instalments, due on the 1st of April and the 1st October. If the charges are not paid within two months after they are due, the local authority can take the consumer to court to recover the charges.

If the charges remain unpaid after two months, the local authority can discontinue the water supply to that premises. The cost of the disconnection can be awarded to the local authority by a District Court. The cost of reconnection of the water supply is the responsibility of the user.

A revenue collector collects water charges on behalf of the local authority. Payments can be made directly to a revenue collector or can be made to the local authority in person, by post, by standing order, bank giro or direct debit.

When new domestic water charges are introduced, as announced in Budget 2010, they will be based on the amount consumed above a free allocation.

How to apply

You can pay your charges to a revenue collector or by any of the methods mentioned above.

If you an unable, for some reason, to pay your water charges, you can apply to your local authority for a waiver on those charges. Application forms are available on most local authority web sites are also available from your local authority.

If you are a member of a private group water scheme, you must discuss any difficulties regarding payment with the trustees of the group.

Where to apply