Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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199. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that in order to comply with the water framework directive it will, in future, be necessary to apply water charges to rainwater that has been harvested on the private property of persons and businesses, and stored in tanks below a certain depth underground; if he will indicate the underground depth below which water charges will be triggered, and the scale of the water charges to be applied in this scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18851/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I am fully supportive of all technologies which contribute to the conservation of water. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to contribute to reducing the cost of water services for certain uses as well as benefiting the environment. Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive of 2000 requires Member States to take account of the principle of recovery of the costs of water services, in accordance with the principle of “polluter pays”. This Government’s policy on water charges is fully consistent with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive and reflects the commitment entered into as part of the Programme of Financial Support for Ireland (2010-2013) agreed between the previous Government and the EU/ECB/ IMF. There are no plans to introduce a charging regime for rainwater harvested for private use.