Rising water charges to hit farmers in the pocket, warns Fine Gael
“On average, in the west of Ireland, most farmers will require at least three meters, with 20% of farmers requiring five or more meters, given the number of farm parcels they own,” said Deputy Naughten. “Farmers will either pay for them directly through a high charge for each meter on their farm, or through an increased charge per gallon on the water which they use. One way or another, there is no doubt that water charges will increase, because councils, due to reduced funding from the Government, have to make up more of their budget from local taxes and charges.”
Already, the Northern Committee of Cork County Council has agreed a 6% increase in non-domestic water charges for 2007. All non-domestic properties will have a meter installed in 2007. Once this is completed, all billing will be based on usage.
After the Council’s budget meeting, Cllr Sean Sherlock said: “This budget, through its provisions relating to the metering of non-domestic or commercial-agricultural water supply, will add significantly to the cost of doing business.”
Businesses across Ireland have been hit by rising water charges for some time. Earlier this year, a survey indicated that water is most expensive in Wexford, at €10.60 per 1,000 gallons, Cork City, Cork County, Tipperary South Riding and Dunlaoghaire-Rathdown Council were also among the most expensive. Businesses in Cavan pay only €3.50.
Speaking to more than 1,200 farmers at a Roscommon water charges meeting, IFA president Padraig Walshe said farmers will not pay for water which is wasted by local authorities.
IFA regional vice president Michael Silke said more than 3,500 farms in Sligo alone would require up to three meters, and meter installation and servicing costs would exceed water usage costs in many of these cases.
lResponding to Deputy Naughten in the Dáil, Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan said her Department has had no formal discussions with the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the installation of water meters on farms.
“However, my department has included the installation of water retention equipment on farms as an eligible investment under the proposed new Farm Improvement Scheme which will be introduced next year as part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme,” she said.
& Returns to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government by local authorities indicated that the amount of non-domestic water charges, including arrears, was €214.5 million in 2005, but only €134.3 million was collected.
The charge per cubic meter for non-domestic customers varied from €0.66 in Waterford county to €2.34 in Wexford. Other local authority charges are: €0.89 in Clare; €2.30 in Cork City; €1.70 in Cork county; €1.57 in Kerry; €1.54 in Limerick City; €1.05 in Limerick county; €0.94 in North Tipperary; €1.13 in South Tipperary; and €0.77 in Waterford City.
