In accordance with the EU water framework directive, the national water services pricing policy framework provides for the recovery by sanitary authorities of the full cost of providing water services from the users of these services, with the exception of households using the services for domestic purposes. This policy of cost recovery from the non-domestic sector extends to the provision of meters. The latter are necessary to ensure water charging of users according to actual consumption; this is planned to be commenced in all areas by December 2006.
Where it is not possible to measure a supply to a farm or business at a single point, and an additional meter or meters must be installed, the costs of such additional meters are, in accordance with the above arrangements, recovered from customers who require them.