Installation of water meters to begin next year

WATER CHARGES are to be introduced in 2014 for all householders with the installation of water meters expected to begin next year.

According to the Government’s National Recovery Plan, the introduction of water charges will start to reduce government investment in water services and lead to significant capital expenditure savings. In 2008, €590m was spent by the Exchequer on capital investment on the water network.

A Water Regulator is to be established to oversee the programme. The National Pensions Reserve Fund has agreed, subject to certain pre-conditions, to fund €550m towards the metre installation programme.