Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
35. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the disparity whereby households are responsible and bear the full financial costs for the unblocking and repair of their own sewerage pipes if the pipes run under their own property, but Irish Water bears these costs for households whose pipes run under public property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11572/16]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water is responsible for water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or sewers extending from a waterworks or waste water works to the curtilage of a private property. Under sections 43 and 54 of the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for maintenance and replacement of any water or wastewater pipes, connections or distribution systems which are located within the boundary of a private property rests with the owner. This was the position that pertained prior to the establishment of Irish Water when individual local authorities held responsibility for public water services and infrastructure.
While the legal position is set out in the 2007 Act, my Department is engaging with Irish Water to set out clearly the respective responsibilities of Irish Water and property owners in relation to water supply and wastewater infrastructure. As a special measure to encourage water conservation, funding has been provided to Irish Water for a first fix scheme which is offered to customers where high levels of leakage on watermains on the customer side are identified as part of the metering programme.
