To ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies the subsidy rates for group water schemes were adjusted down in 2015 to reflect the new domestic water charging regime introduced on 1 January 2015.
In line with the suspension of domestic water charges for a period of nine months from 1 July 2016, as set out in the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2016, and to ensure equity of treatment with households on public water supplies, my Department advised local authorities in August 2016 that, for the duration of the suspension period, the subsidy rates were adjusted up to pre-2015 levels to reflect the suspension of domestic water charges for households connected to the public water supply.
My Department will give further consideration to the subsidies available for the operation of group water schemes in light of the Oireachtas decision on the enduring funding model for public domestic water services.
Details of the level of subsidies are available on my Department’s website at: http://housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues.