U-turn to slash water levies by a third

The Coalition will make a last-ditch attempt to quell public anger over water charges with a massive climb-down which will see bills for an average family slashed by more than a third of what was announced in the summer.

Those who refuse to pay will have fines of around €50 a year added to future bills, which will be attached to their property and therefore have to be paid before their house can be sold.

Sources involved in the discussions on a new pricing regime said last night that fines of between 15% and 20% of the charge will be added on to bills of non-payers. Chronic refusal to pay could result in homeowners being brought to court, but the option of taking charges from wages or social welfare payments has been ruled out.