asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that the combined effect of water and other service charges and the commercial rates containing a premium or surcharge was that local authorities were effectively making a profit out of water charges; and whether he approved of such profit making.
Written Answers. - Water Charges.
464.
I am not so aware. The costs of supplying water, or other services, to the extent that they are not met by Government grants or specific charges must be levied by way of rates which are determined by the local authorities themselves on the basis of their own assessment of the up-to-date financial position in each case.