School’s water usage excessive

SOME primary schools in Kerry are using up to six times more water than they pay for, senior management at Kerry County Council has confirmed.

The council’s finance director John O’Connor said there was a “shocking waste of water” by some schools.

New water charges for schools have been widely criticised and councils have been asked by the Government to impose charges based on an average €3.50 per pupil.

However, Mr O’Connor said the actual cost of providing water to some schools was about €20 per pupil.

Since councils installed water metres in schools, exceptionally high levels of water usage have come to light.

The Government introduced a flat rate of €3 per pupil for bills in 2007 — increasing to €3.50 this year and to €4 for 2009. The Department of Education and Science is to work with schools on conservation methods to curb excessive consumption.