Written answers

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water Meters

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding technology and related devices available for purchase which enable householders to record or verify the total water usage in a house (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42341/14]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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There are no devices commercially available for purchase that would enable a householder to remotely read their water meter. The meter can, of course, be read manually by removing the boundary box lid and frost plug and reading the numeric flow register on the meter which records the cumulative usage. Water meter reading on behalf of Irish Water will be carried out using a receiver in the meter reader’s van as it drives by. Only the serial number and the meter read are transmitted and collected and all signals are encrypted and can only be decrypted by Irish Water’s software. Meter readings that are significantly higher than estimated household usage indicate that there is leakage on the customer-side of the meter. Irish Water’s meters are fitted with leak alarms that will indicate if this is the case.

The CER is currently finalising with Irish Water the details of a “First Fix Free” policy on which they will undertake a public consultation shortly. The intention is to have initial works commence in January 2015. If a customer disputes the metered usage, Irish Water will facilitate testing of water meters upon request from the customer as provided for in the Customer Handbook and Water Charges Plan approved by CER. The CER and Irish Water have also agreed to enter into a voluntary ‘Dispute Resolution Agreement’ which will set out agreed working arrangements and processes to deal with customer disputes. If the meter is found to be faulty (excluding damage caused by the customer) then Irish Water will not charge the cost of the meter inspection and testing to the customer and will repair or replace the faulty meter at no cost to the customer.

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