Utilities regulator urged not to hike water charges for businesses 'beyond the point of sustainability'

On Tuesday, CRU announced plans to approve a 9.8% increase in water charges for non-domestic and wastewater, set to take effect from October 1. Uisce Éireann had sought a rise of 13%, according to CRU documents.

The Department of Enterprise urged the regulator not to hike water charges for businesses to the extent it has decided upon, as it warned Ireland faces a “period of pronounced economic uncertainty”.

In its submission to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the department said it understood the need for significant investment in the country’s water infrastructure, but rising cost pressures on businesses could not be ignored.