I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 422 together.
Under the Government's water pricing policy, local authorities are required to recover the costs of providing water services from non domestic users of these services.
A water services charge is levied for the provision of drinking water and is based on volumetric use. A programme of work to install water meters for all non domestic users will be completed by the end of 2009. A waste water charge is levied based on the water in/water out principle, an internationally recognised approach for charging for waste water services. The consolidated charge is levied on non domestic customers who are in receipt of both water and waste water services from the local authority.
The Department does not hold any information on the number or percentage of customers that have opted for one service only. A charge for water, only, would arise where a customer is connected to the public water supply but is not connected to the local authority's waste water infrastructure.
Details of the consolidated water and waste water charge for each local authority area for 2009 are set out in the following table.
Consolidated charge for water and waste water services (per cubic meter)
|
Charge
|
Carlow
|
2.30
|
Cavan
|
2.51
|
Clare
|
2.98
|
Cork City
|
2.35
|
Cork
|
2.16
|
Donegal
|
2.31
|
Dublin City
|
1.64
|
Dun Laogh/Rath.
|
2.34
|
Fingal
|
1.94
|
South Dublin
|
1.76
|
Galway City
|
1.60
|
Galway
|
2.07
|
Kerry
|
1.66
|
Kildare
|
1.49
|
Kilkenny
|
2.94
|
Laois
|
2.45
|
Leitrim
|
2.28
|
Limerick City
|
2.30
|
Limerick
|
2.60
|
Longford
|
2.40
|
Louth
|
1.95
|
Mayo
|
2.26
|
Meath
|
2.65
|
Monaghan
|
2.11
|
Offaly
|
2.90
|
Roscommon
|
2.12
|
Sligo
|
2.30
|
North Tipp.
|
2.40
|
South Tipp.
|
2.00
|
Waterford City
|
2.35
|
Waterford
|
2.66
|
Westmeath
|
2.38
|
Wexford
|
2.71
|
Wicklow
|
3.04
|