Misgivings about Irish Water

Irish Water’s booklet dropped into my letterbox this week. While I accept that water charges are necessary, I, like many others, have serious misgivings about certain important aspects of Irish Water’s plans. Because it is a State-owned company, this letter is also addressed to our public representatives.

Firstly, with regard to economic prioritisation, we are told in this booklet that much greater investment is needed to correct high levels of water leakage in the public system, varying standards in water quality, disruptions to supply and environmental compliance. Surely then, Irish Water should be investing our money firstly in making the said corrections, rather than prioritising the nationwide installation of expensive meters to the great enrichment of a company that is not state-owned. We could all have been billed without meters, as many are currently being billed, at least until the vital repairs are paid for.

Ben Dunne put it very well when he said that in the grocery business if he tried to run a shop and bill his customers after losing half of his stock off the back of the delivery lorries, he would be out of business in a week,

Secondly, with regard to health effects, “smart” meters , unlike conventional analog meters, have serious health impacts that have not been sufficiently addressed by Irish Water. They are being installed — often without consent — in thousands of homes each week. We need to note the evidence presented by Dr Barrie Trower and those who have carried out independent studies..

Furthermore, fluoride continues to be added to our water supplies. The most up-to-date medical research leaves us in no doubt about the deleterious effects on our health of this outdated policy.

The booklet sits on my table, an airbrushed guide to the unnecessarily heavy burdens that it ushers into our lives.

Rosie Cargin

The Grove

Compass Hill

Kinsale

Co Cork