Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2012
10Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will outline in detail, county by county, the programme for the installation of water meters; and the programme for the introduction of water charges. [5907/12]
View answerThe programme for Government provides for the introduction of a fair funding model to deliver clean and reliable water. The memorandum of understanding with the EU, IMF and the ECB also contains commitments for the reform of water services delivery and operation and the introduction of domestic water charges.
To meet these commitments, the Government intends initiating a universal water metering programme in advance of the introduction of water charges. This will facilitate moving to a charging system for domestic water users that is based on use above a free allowance as provided for in the programme for Government. A procurement strategy for the metering programme is being finalised and it is intended that procurement will be addressed at a national and regional level rather than county by county.
On 16 January 2012, I commenced a public consultation on the Government's proposals for reform of water services delivery including metering and water charges, seeking views from the public on the establishment of a public water utility and the introduction of water charges. The details of the consultation process can be found on my Department's website and submissions can be made to my Department until 24 February 2012.
The consultation process will offer people the opportunity to make an input into this process. I will be sending in a submission.
Has the Minister considered the issue of road-openings affecting the installation of water meters? Hundreds of thousands of these will have to be performed on footpaths and in housing estates. What will happen in an estate that has not been taken in charge by the local authority, as a road-opening licence cannot be made by the local authority in such a case? What is the legal position on this? Will meters be external or smart internal systems?
Last year during the cold spell, it was discovered that many water pipes into houses were only four inches under the ground when the minimum requirement was 18 inches. Water meters will be much larger than four inches. How will they fit into these installations? Once temperatures go down below zero, these meters could also freeze. Many water supply pipes to houses may have to be put down further into the ground.
The Minister of State estimates the overall cost of rolling out water meters will be €500 million. That breaks down to the small figure of approximately €250 per house. Given the extent of the work to be done, the roll-out of metering may be closer to €900 million, even with reduced rates.
From the experience of our neighbours across the water where water meters have been fitted, it has not led to a significant reduction in water consumption. Having dual flush toilets can lead to a 12% reduction in water consumption. Building standards regulations could be introduced to ensure when toilets are replaced it is with a dual flush model, as happens in Spain. That is a practical measure to cut down household water consumption which could be introduced by the Minister.
The Deputy has posed many questions, some of which I may not be able to answer today. I will be happy to follow them up with him later.
This is the largest infrastructure project since the establishment of the ESB during the foundation of the State. Irish Water will be established as an entity by the middle of this year and will deal with the contracts for the installation of water meters. It will be working with local authorities which will be agents for Irish Water over several years.
Water meters do work. There is clear evidence from local authorities on how water meters in commercial premises and domestic households have lead to significant reductions in consumption. The lowest amount in reduction in domestic consumption was 10% while group water schemes have reported reductions of up to 30% in their consumption. It is a significant reduction. The contracts will be prepared on the basis of splitting the country into 150 to 200 areas. The intention is to offer SMEs and smaller local businesses opportunities to get stuck in. As more than 2,000 jobs will be created, it will have an important impact on the community, as well as on the environment in terms of water conservation.
I am opposed to water charges because I believe €500 million would be better spent on stopping the leakage in our system. That would provide significant employment while fixing a problem we have been dealing with for a number of years.
In many of the older houses in places like Whitehall, Finglas and Walkinstown water is supplied through lead pipes. Will part of the €500 million be allocated to address this issue? These households will incur huge costs in adapting their water pipes. I have encountered issues in Finglas, Ballymun and Whitehall whereby pipes leak occasionally. It will not be possible to connect meters to these pipes.
The €500 million figure is not our estimate.
It is around that.
There is an active programme in local government to replace lead piping on the public end of the supply system. Approximately €120 million will be spent this year to replace lead piping because it is an important health issue.
Metering, to which the Deputy is opposed, will conserve water and save money in the long term. Water services on this island cost €1.2 billion last year. Savings of up to 40% were achieved in Scotland subsequent to the introduction of metering. It makes financial sense and I am happy to answer the Deputy's questions on it.
The Minister of State did not answer my question. Many of these houses are owned by old people whose only income is social welfare. These lead pipes potentially pose a massive problem. Has the issue been taken into account?
The regulator will examine issues pertaining to the charges applied. A charge will apply above a free allowance and those with health or significant income poverty issues will be dealt with by the regulator. We are meeting representatives from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, carers for the elderly and other interest groups to ensure the system is fair, practical and realistic.
