Latest: Sea swimmers who take to the waters during red storm alerts could potentially face fines in the future.

With water charges a thing of the past, Caroline O’Doherty asks how we will finance Irish Water and essential infrastructural works.

Latest: Irish Water admits it is unclear about the state of its pipes and says there are not enough spare parts in case of emergency.

Sadly, warnings to politicians on the huge costs of years of under-investment have not been heeded and Irish Water needs to get its ducks in a row financially, writes Kyran Fitzgerald

Irish Water has said 1,000kms of Victorian piping needs to be replaced around the country, at a cost of €13bn euro.

Only half of households notified about water leaks on their property have responded to requests for repairs to be carried out by Irish Water.

Between a third and half of people could still face “excessive usage” water charges under reforms recommended to Government.

The head of Irish Water’s parent firm has denied claims the company wasted up to €73m worth of taxpayers’ money on outside consultants, saying those paid were “experts” who have proven their worth.

The taxpayer is to foot the €448m cost for dealing with potentially dangerous lead pipes in the country’s water network, it was confirmed last night.

Householders may have to spend up to €5,000 replacing lead pipes.

Irish Water has launched an eight-week consultation period on its draft plan to reduce lead in drinking water as more than 180,000 homes still have the older pipes, which have been linked to health problems.

A third of water will still leak out of broken pipes, 40,000 people will still have lead- contaminated drinking water, and 75% of homes facing sewage overflows during floods will still suffer the problem in a decade — despite the creation of Irish Water.

The low take-up of the water-conservation grant is an indication that opposition to water charges is so strong the Government “literally cannot give away €100”, according to an opposition party.

Irish Water is looking to add a chemical to the water supply in Limerick to reduce the levels of lead found in the supply.

Up to 73 kilometres of mainly iron water pipe is being replaced in the Dublin Region.

It may take decades to remove dangerous lead water pipes from Irish homes, Environment Minister Alan Kelly has said.

Irish Water has confirmed it is ready to go ahead with a €22.8m project which should significantly improve water quality at one of the country’s premier beaches.

Irish Water is to spend €51m over the next two years to fix 25,000 household leaks .

Irish Water has said it could take six years before boil water notices are eliminated.

Householders who refuse to pay their water charges will still be able to claim their €100 water conservation grant because of a loophole in the law.

Leakage from our water networks is so bad that Irish Water predicts that it will take up to 20 years to cut the number of leaks in half.

WATER charges for householders are inevitable as the country struggles to balance future supply and demand as well as complying with EU regulations.