Concern has been expressed at the costs being faced by homeowners who look to get their newly-built properties connected to the water network.
Irish Water is introducing a new rates regime which will result in typical connection charges of €6,200 for water and waste services
And while this is cheaper than the existing charges faced by many, it will result in increases of nearly €4,000 for single home builds in Clare, versus the previous Council-led charges system.
West Clare Independent Councillor Christy Curtin thinks the costs are unfair.
Statement from Irish Water
In December the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) issued a final decision on Irish Water’s Connection Charging Policy which included a single set of standard connection charges and standardises the scope of work involved in each connection. Irish Water welcomes this decision as this will provide a single clear, transparent and fair connection charging framework. The final decision followed a public consultation process and engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.
Up to now, connections to the Irish Water network have been charged at the same rates as applied by Local Authorities prior to the establishment of Irish Water. As the 31 Local Authorities each had different charging methods and rates there was a wide variation in connection charges across the country.
There were also different levels of connection works which were performed depending on the Local Authority area: for example, in some cases the customer may be required to pay the cost of a Road Opening Licence (ROL) and or to procure their own contractor to complete the physical connection works. Recognising the inconsistency and unfairness of the current arrangements, the CRU requested Irish Water to submit proposals for a new Connection Charging Policy.
The CRU held 10 week Public Consultation in January 2018 on Irish Water’s proposed enduring Connection Charging Policy. This was followed by the publication of a proposed CRU decision which was open for public comments for a further 4 weeks. The proposals had been broadly supported by the consultation feedback and allow for the CRU decision. The policy will simplify the current charging arrangements by providing a single national, clear, transparent and equitable connection charging framework by
- Setting out Standard Connection Charges for the majority of connecting customers;
- Charge for connections based on service need and not the development floor area of the property; and
- Provide an end-to-end connection service to customers in a consistent, safe, and comprehensive manner.
There are currently 57 different charging regimes in the 31 Local Authorities across the country. All charging regimes have different methods for calculating connection charges, including different structures and customer classifications. This is unfair to customers as homes or businesses a few miles apart can have completely different connection charges and levels of service.
The final decision on Irish Water’s proposals will see Standard Connection Charges that will reflect the cost of the connection and will ensure the efficient use of the existing infrastructure. Irish Water wanted to ensure that connecting customers are treated fairly and equitably and that the system of charging is easy to understand.
Standard connection charges will apply to the majority of customers and Irish Water will provide a full connection service to a customer’s boundary, where all components of the connection works are performed by Irish Water.
The CRU have also confirmed that the new charges will start from the 1st of April 2019 and a transition period is currently being offered to customers so they can chose the most economically beneficial quote between the old and new charges.
More information is available on the CRUs website www.cru.ie further information is also available on Irish Waters website www.water.ie/connections/
