Domestic water charges ‘inevitable’ amid need for investment

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

That is according to water expert and head of Ireland’s largest infrastructure consultancy, Jerry Grant, who warned yesterday that the pace of recent development of the water supply network has not kept up with needs.

There’s a need for “massive investment” in water supply services, says Mr Grant, but society “appears unwilling” to accept a system of payment by consumers for water use.