Written answers

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water Charges Administration

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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540. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated average water usage rate per 1,000 litre for a two adult plus household and for a single adult household based on recent data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45386/14]

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of two adult plus households expected to pay water charges; the total number of single adult households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45387/14]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.

With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.

Irish Water has carried out a project to understand water consumption patterns in Ireland. The Water Consumption Research Project (WCRP) figures are based on actual metered data and follow-on surveys with over 3000 houses, and confirm that the average consumption for a household is 66,000 litres per year for the first occupant and an average 21,000 litres increase for each additional occupant. However, many households will use less than this amount, and it is possible for households to reduce their consumption through simple conservation measures. Data on consumption patterns will be provided by Irish Water to the CER on a regular basis.

The Irish Water tariff model contains details of the estimated break-down of Irish Water customer numbers based on data prepared by the Central Statistics Office. This model and t he findings of the WCRP are available on the CER website at:.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ieor by telephone on 1890 578 578.

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