The Price Of Water

Give that garden a good hosing today, because from tomorrow, we’ll be charged for every drop. So, with all the talk of charging for this, and metering for that – what does it all mean? Here’s our five point guide to what water will really cost…

• The price for water is this: €4.88 per 1,000 litres for houses that use both water and waste water services, or €2.44 if you only use one service.  This is charged after the free allowance of 30,000 litres per household, with an extra allowance per child. The average bill is reckoned to be about €238. A one person family will pay €176 per year.
• If you live in an area with water that is dangerous to drink, you will not pay for it. Likewise, if your water service is unavailable for a time, you will not be charged for this time.
• For the first nine months, we will all pay an assessed charge. That means that your meter will mean nothing for the first while… except if you use LESS water. Then it will be refunded to you in the first six months of the year.
• If there is a leak found at your home, the price will be capped at the assessed rate, until it is fixed.
• If you have holiday home or a ‘non-primary residence, the price has been reduced to €125 per year. Also, if you are renting, you and not your landlord are liable for the water charge.

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