Non-registration tariff less than some water bills

Many families would be better off paying Irish Water’s penalty fee for failing to register with the company than paying the normal charges for registered customers.

Households that refuse to register their full details are being warned they face a default tariff based on charges for two adults with no free allowances.

However, that works out at €424 per year — less than the €483 that a family of four adults or a couple with two grown-up children living at home who register and receive allowances — will be billed.