Conservation grant a half-measure that muddies the waters

In 2012, public expenditure on water in Ireland was €1.5bn. This money is being spent on a system that does not work.

The recent debate about water charges fails to comprehend the most important point of this matter — it is not about paying for water; it is about paying for the infrastructure to deliver clean water and treat waste water.

Over the past 10 years, successive governments have spent €18bn on water. Of this, only 10% was to pay for the actual provision of water to households and businesses. An emphasis on conservation can only save money on this small portion of the expenditure. The other 90% is not affected by the amount of water we use.