Council turns off traders’ taps in crackdown on ‘water spongers’

A LOCAL authority has cut off the water to city businesses under a new get-tough approach to “water spongers”.

Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and garages in Cork city who have not paid their water charges were among the first to be disconnected by the city council this week.

Some owe thousands of euro and have been in arrears for a number of years, said Michael O’Brien, head of the council’s environment section.