Swift action urged on water charges

Dublin: Chambers Ireland has called for swift action on moves to introduce domestic water charges, on the back of the current shortages.

The body said, yesterday, that the current water curtailments, being experienced around the country, “underscore the need for greater urgency on moves to introduce water charges to fund ongoing investments in water supply and encourage all consumers to conserve water.”

Chambers Ireland deputy chief executive Sean Murphy added: “One of the major reasons why we are once again experiencing water shortages this year is years of under-investment in the water treatment and water supply infrastructure, coupled with a lack of appreciation on the part of many non-commercial users as to the importance of this resource.

“While significant water infrastructure investment programmes are underway, their impact will be significantly enhanced by a rapid move towards the introduction of user charges on a sliding scale based on consumption. This would give water providers a much more predictable source of income to fund future infrastructure.”

Chambers has also called for all businesses directly affected by the latest bout of water cuts to be reimbursed by their local authorities, for any related monetary losses.