Water Charging and Metering
The Governments National Water Pricing Policy Framework requires the charging by Local Authorities of non-domestic
consumers of water and wastewater services for the cost of providing these services. This is in keeping with the application of
the "Polluter Pays Principle".
Water charges are payable if water is being supplied for use by business, trade
or manufacture. This also includes hospitals, sanatoriums, homes for people with
mental or physical disabilities, maternity homes, convalescent homes,
laboratories, clinics, health centres, schools or clubs.
The directive requires that all non-domestic consumers are to be metered. The process commenced in late 2006 and the last meters were installed in February 2008. A total of 3,918 meters were installed on non-domestic
consumers throughout the county. These meters are fitted with AMR sensors, which will enable them to be read by a handheld unit in groups rather than read each meter individually.
This system should ensure accuracy and efficiency in meter reading and billing.
The current charges in Wicklow for 2008 for metered water are as follows:-
| Service Provided |
Charge Applying |
| Water Supply |
€1.634 per cubic metre |
| Wastewater |
€1.411 per cubic metre |
| Water Availability Charge |
€100 per annum |
| Wastewater Availability Charge |
€100 per annum |
| Meter Management Charge |
€60 per annum |
NOTE: 1 cubic meter = 1,000 litres of water. For guidance, a toilet discharges between 6 and 9 litres per flush)
Will domestic properties be charged?
The Water Pricing Policy is explicit in requiring that the cost of domestic water services is not recovered from domestic consumers i.e ordinary
households and family homes will not be affected.
Who are non-domestic consumers?
Examples include the following - farms, offices, factories, schools, shops, sports clubs, restaurants,
public houses, and commercial activities within domestic residences, etc.
In order that charges are applied in a fair, transparent and equitable manner, meters will be installed on all non-domestic connections. The metering of all non-domestic
consumers will allow for usage based water charges, therefore, the less water you use, the less you pay.
How are charges calculated on metered consumers?
Water charges will be based on actual consumption. The less water you use, the less you pay. The charge for wastewater
is normally based on the water in - water out
principle i.e the volume of wastewater will be deemed to be equal to the volume of water supplied to the premises. If you have a water connection, but are not connected
to the public sewer, water charges will continue to be charged on a consumption basis, but the wastewater charge will not apply.
Where the mains supply serve both domestic and non-domestic usage, the Council will identify those non-domestic connections that have a domestic component of water
and/or wastewater use on their connection e.g. where an apartment is located above a shop
or in this case a farm dwelling.
If the water at your address is also used for domestic purposes you will be entitled to consume 170m3 per annum and to discharge 136m3 per annum free of charge.
Who do I contact if I have a query?
Wicklow County Council will be happy to deal with any queries you may have. For queries in relation to Metering,
please contact the Non-Domestic Water Office on 0404-20129.
Queries on water charging should be directed to Susanne Hall, Non-Domestic Water Office, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings,
Wicklow or by email at NDW@wicklowcoco.ie.
|