Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

By 2016, over 1 million water meters will be installed outside domestic residences Colm Mahady / Fennells
Water Charges

Irish Water will not cut off supply to homes over unpaid charges

Where a customer fails to pay water charges, Irish Water will have to go to court to enforce payment.

THE NEW BILL giving effect to Irish Water has confirmed that homeowners will not be cut off as a result of unpaid or partially paid charges.

The bill was published yesterday and transfers responsibility for water services from local authorities to Irish Water.

The Water Services (No. 2) Bill gives Irish Water the power to charge for water services but does not grant powers to end supply if payment is not made. Section 16 (8) reads :

Irish Water shall not, by reason of a charge in respect of a dwelling being wholly or partly unpaid, discontinue the supply of water to that dwelling either temporarily or permanently.

Under the provisions of the bill, the term dwelling refers to a premises occupied as a private residence. This applies to second homes as well as primary residences.

Where a customer fails to pay their charges, Irish Water will have to go to court to enforce payment.

Irish Water is due to take over responsibility for the delivery of water services on 1 January 2014 and will operate as an independent subsidy of under the Bord Gáis Éireann Group

Upon the publication of the bill, Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd said that water services currently cost over €1 billion annually and that the new authority would allow for “fundamental reform”.

“Independent, economic regulation of Irish Water’s services, and charges, by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), will ensure customers are protected, ” he added.

The full published legislation is available to read here.

Read: Customers unlikely to face disconnection for unpaid water charges >

Read: “The Irish people gave us a mandate to bring in water charges” – Phil Hogan >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
144
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds