Water Charges - The Facts
Many Bills Lower Under New Metering System
The continuing debate surrounding the introduction of a metered water charge has obscured some of the main issues surrounding the new system; Sligo County Council has pointed out that a considerable number of customers are only paying a basic standing charge as they are within their domestic allowance of 50,000 gallons per year. This concession does not apply to farmers alone, but also makes a significant difference to shops, public houses and other businesses who were previously on a fixed charge.
According to a spokesperson for Sligo County Council ‘The reality is that in many instances bills are lower under the metering system than the fixed charge.’ (See examples below). ‘We would expect that farmers and other non-domestic consumers will have lower bills provided they do not allow overflow and wastage. The bottom line is that as the bill is based on usage, people are in control of what they pay.’
The main concern voiced by nondomestic consumers had surrounded the amount of the standing charge of €80 per connection, and this has now been changed in the 2007 charges. The standing charge is now capped at €140 for consumers with multiple connections, which represents a substantial saving for many farmers. For example, a farmer with 4 connections and using 75,000 gallons in excess of domestic allowance would have paid €704.75 in 2006, and will be paying €566 in 2007. This is also lower than the fixed rate levied in 2005 of €644. These savings are also evident for consumers with up to eight connections.
Sligo County Council is organising a further information campaign to advise customers on the new charging system, and a Water Conservation Day will be held to outline useful hints on monitoring water usage. Schools in the county have also shown an interest in promoting the issue of water conservation through the popular ‘Green Schools’ programme. A practical example for reducing usage is that in most cases cattle are housed in slatted sheds during winter months and farmers can make significant savings by using rainwater for this period.
According to a spokesperson for Sligo County Council ‘The reality is that in many instances bills are lower under the metering system than the fixed charge.’ (See examples below). ‘We would expect that farmers and other non-domestic consumers will have lower bills provided they do not allow overflow and wastage. The bottom line is that as the bill is based on usage, people are in control of what they pay.’
The main concern voiced by nondomestic consumers had surrounded the amount of the standing charge of €80 per connection, and this has now been changed in the 2007 charges. The standing charge is now capped at €140 for consumers with multiple connections, which represents a substantial saving for many farmers. For example, a farmer with 4 connections and using 75,000 gallons in excess of domestic allowance would have paid €704.75 in 2006, and will be paying €566 in 2007. This is also lower than the fixed rate levied in 2005 of €644. These savings are also evident for consumers with up to eight connections.
Sligo County Council is organising a further information campaign to advise customers on the new charging system, and a Water Conservation Day will be held to outline useful hints on monitoring water usage. Schools in the county have also shown an interest in promoting the issue of water conservation through the popular ‘Green Schools’ programme. A practical example for reducing usage is that in most cases cattle are housed in slatted sheds during winter months and farmers can make significant savings by using rainwater for this period.
Comparisons
Example 1
Usage of 10,000 gallons in addition to domestic allowance (1 connection)
Charge 2005 €322
Charge 2006 €131.30
Charge 2007 €136.80
Charge 2005 €322
Charge 2006 €131.30
Charge 2007 €136.80
Example 2
Usage of 15,000 gallons in addition to domestic allowance (2 connections)
Charge 2005 €537
Charge 2006 €236.95
Charge 2007 €185.20
Charge 2005 €537
Charge 2006 €236.95
Charge 2007 €185.20
Example 3
Usage of 25,000 gallons in addition to domestic allowance (3 connections)
Charge 2005 €644
Charge 2006 €368.25
Charge 2007 €262.00
A spokesperson for the Council acknowledged that there will always be a level of uncertainty surrounding any new charge, but if people take the time to study their bill, they may find that they are actually paying less than before. ‘We are available at any time to help people with any concern they may have whether to discuss water conservation, reducing the number of connections, or simply reading the meter.’
Charge 2005 €644
Charge 2006 €368.25
Charge 2007 €262.00
A spokesperson for the Council acknowledged that there will always be a level of uncertainty surrounding any new charge, but if people take the time to study their bill, they may find that they are actually paying less than before. ‘We are available at any time to help people with any concern they may have whether to discuss water conservation, reducing the number of connections, or simply reading the meter.’
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County Hall, Riverside,
Sligo,
Co. Sligo.
GPS : Irish Grid 169896, 335864
Tel:071 9111111
Fax:071 9141119 Email:info@sligococo.ie
