Written answers

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water Meters Installation

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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89. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding water meters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/14]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Governmentsets out a commitment to the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Water Services Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Irish Water as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and assigned the company the necessary powers to allow it to undertake the metering programme.

Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that all of the water metering contracts are fully compliant with the Disability Act 2005 and that the water meters in use by Irish Water comply with the Measuring Instruments Directive. The meter boxes are not sealed and can be opened to allow the householder to read their meter, if necessary. The meters will be read by Irish Water and the information will be provided directly to customers in their bills. Furthermore, to assist the homeowner in the identification of any leaks Irish Water has confirmed to my Department that water meters being installed as part of the metering programme have a 'constant flow' alarm which alerts Irish Water who will in turn alert the affected homeowner. Householders with a meter installed will be provided with a reading of their meter as part of their bill and any unusual usage patterns can be discussed with Irish Water if the householder is concerned.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ieor by telephone on 1890 278 278.

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