Farmers paying €2,000 in water charges before using a drop, senator warns
Fianna Fáil senator Paul Daly called for a customer charge as opposed to numerous meter charges.
The plight of farmers who have to pay €2,000 a year for water even before they turn on a tap has been raised by Fianna Fáil senator Paul Daly.
A farmer himself, in Co Westmeath, he has launched a campaign seeking that farmers with multiple land parcels would pay a single customer charge, rather than paying for multiple connections.
Last week, he asked the minister for housing to review the Uisce Éireann water connection policy.
He cited the example of a farmer who has 10 meters. "Some of them are on fields he cuts silage on. He does not even use any water on them, but he needs to have them, because he has a fragmented holding.
"I also know of another gentleman who has 21 individual connections. Under the current non-domestic charges or tariff rates from Uisce Éireann that are set through the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, there is a separate charge for each connection, and then a usage charge."
Senator Daly said with increased water charges expected in October, such farmers are looking at charges of €90-odd per connection.
"For the man with 10, that is €900, but for the man with 21, that is between €1,900 and €2,000 per year before he starts using or paying for any water at all. There is no way out of it or around it.
He called for a customer charge as opposed to numerous meter charges.
"It is important that this be looked into. I know there is a review at the moment that is somewhat delayed. The outstanding tariffs expire at the end of September of this year. There will be a new charging regime going forward."
Senator Daly's question in the Dáil was answered by minister of state for local government and planning
John Cummins.
He said it was possible to have redundant connections removed, or to have a temporary or permanent pause, where connections are not required. Farmers who do not have a need for water on their holdings should utilise that existing mechanism, which would reduce the standing charges that apply.
But Senator Daly said the people he represents did not have redundant meters — the meters were needed. He said before 2014 and the establishment of Irish Water, the local authorities had one customer charge irrespective of the number of meters.
Mr Cummins said the water connection policy was a matter for Uisce Éireann, and the CRU, as the economic regulator for Uisce Éireann, is tasked to ensure a fair and transparent system of charging for non-domestic customers.
Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann has applied for a 13% increase in water charges, commencing on October 1 next.
