The national water pricing policy framework requires local authorities to recover the cost of providing water services from the users of these services. Households using the services for domestic purposes are the exception. The policy framework provides for the full recovery of non-domestic water services costs and the metering of these users by 2006. This is in accordance with an appropriate application of the polluter pays principle and the requirements of Article 9 of the EU water framework directive.
My Department does not collect information on charges. The framework only provides for the recovery of costs and charges should be determined having regard to this principle.