How can they charge for water?

Hitchens

...in the wettest country on earth? I'm after driving through rivers of water today, the whole shaggin' place is soaking wet.

Not the slightest danger of running out of water.

People buying water in shops, can never figure that out either. :mad:

Karl Stein

Maybe you should bottle the water you've been driving through.

hansfrei

Im paying for mine on the drip.

donvito99

Because of your face, OP.

hfallada

It has to be processed, which is extremely expensive to do. There is like 7 steps eg. flirtation, chlorination etc. Then it has to be piped and monitored constantly to check its quality. It costs the tax payer nearly €1 billion a year to do. I think the water charges will make people think twice about watering the grass during the summer( we dont live in Phoenix, Arizona, it will rain eventually) or washing their cars every week.

But I hope their is no BS allowances( paid for by other users) just because someone is an OAP, when most middle class families are struggling, but get no help from the government.

Tin Foil Hat

Hitchens wrote: »

...in the wettest country on earth? I'm after driving through rivers of water today, the whole shaggin' place is soaking wet.

Not the slightest danger of running out of water.

People buying water in shops, can never figure that out either. :mad:

We're surrounded by electrons. We're even made from the shagin' things. Yet the thieving cnuts manage to charge for electricity - the bastards.

The Big Smoke

hfallada wrote: »

It has to be processed, which is extremely expensive to do. There is like 7 steps eg. flirtation...

Well hello there, you must be tired running through all those taps all day

o1s1n

hfallada wrote: »

It has to be processed, which is extremely expensive to do. There is like 7 steps eg. flirtation, chlorination etc. .

Water: 'you get me so wet...'

'Flirtation phase complete!'

Karl Stein

A great way of saving water is to bathe in piss.

Mariasofia

o1s1n wrote: »

Water: 'you get me so wet...'

'Flirtation phase complete!'

Water you doin' when the sun goes down ?

keith16

Yeah, and what's with all this "roads" nonsense. Sure the ground is mostly flat, we can just drive on that.

theblaqueguy

Hey op I've a water saving tip for you it should help you saving money on those nasty water charges it involves the flushing of your toilet "if its yellow let it mellow if its brown flush it down"

RandomName2

hfallada wrote: »

I think the water charges will make people think twice about watering the grass during the summer( we dont live in Phoenix, Arizona, it will rain eventually) or washing their cars every week.

The costs for public water provision, while relatively steep, are also predominantly fixed. By that I mean it costs the state almost the same to provide a house with 200 litres of water as it does to provide it with 20. I won't harp on about how most water is actually lost through mains leaks (which would be correct) as at least the council is attempting to fix these pipes... which of course is another cost in itself.

So water charges... okay
Metred water... fek off

meoklmrk91

Of all the crap this government has done to us this is one of the only things I agree with. Our water system is archaic at best. We need to upgrade it, I have no problem paying for water as long as I stop getting limey crap through my taps.

DuckSlice

Why can't you understand people buying bottled water??

Hitchens

it's like the innuit buying ice ffs

DuckSlice

Hitchens wrote: »

it's like the innuit buying ice ffs

There is quite a difference in taste between tap and bottled water.

goose2005

Not only that, but the bastards make us pay for food. I mean, it literally grows on trees.

wexie

etxp wrote: »

There is quite a difference in taste between tap and bottled water.

not an awful lot of difference between bottled water and the water from my well though, no charge on that either

While I wouldn't necessarily have too much of a problem with water charges (partly because of the well) I'd have a problem with paying for a service which (at the moment) clearly is very poor, as already mentioned there are numerous problems with water leaking out of the system and, more importantly, contaminants coming INTO the system, (cryptosporidium anyone?)

If the councils could provide a decent drinking water service, with water not loaded with chemicals, a decent water pressure and guaranteed deliveries (no excuses for water shortages in this country really) I think a lot fewer people would have a problem with water charges.

April O Neill

Hitchens wrote: »

...in the wettest country on earth? I'm after driving through rivers of water today, the whole shaggin' place is soaking wet.

Not the slightest danger of running out of water.

People buying water in shops, can never figure that out either. :mad:

Pfft, I cycled in todays's weather.

Toughen up!

dxhound2005

What if you don't use water, will there still be a charge?

wexie

dxhound2005 wrote: »

What if you don't use water, will there still be a charge?

If it's a metered charge I'd imagine there will probably be a standing charge for the privilege of having the meter.

I guess rainwater harvesting is going to become a lot more popular.

dxhound2005

wexie wrote: »

If it's a metered charge I'd imagine there will probably be a standing charge for the privilege of having the meter.

I guess rainwater harvesting is going to become a lot more popular.

But if you don't use water can you refuse to be connected to a meter?

RandomName2

RandomName2 wrote: »

The costs for public water provision, while relatively steep, are also predominantly fixed. By that I mean it costs the state almost the same to provide a house with 200 litres of water as it does to provide it with 20. I won't harp on about how most water is actually lost through mains leaks (which would be correct) as at least the council is attempting to fix these pipes... which of course is another cost in itself.

So water charges... okay
Metred water... fek off

Metering will reduce usage massively and make those costly repair leaks cheaper. Britain has been spending like crazy to reduce leakages but I think that once they get to under 30% that's as good as it's going to get, metering would instantly reduce demand at least as much as fixing leaks could increase supply.


Unfortunately the general opposition seems to be against charges in general while the parts of the plans that should be protested aren't targeted properly and it will only be at the last minute those issues are properly raised and then it'll be too late.

wexie

dxhound2005 wrote: »

But if you don't use water can you refuse to be connected to a meter?

Gee I don't know, I'd imagine you might be able to refuse a connection to the water network (provided it's not already there) but I don't think you'd be able to refuse a meter if you have a connection.

Alternatively you could move out to the country and get your own well, can't see them being metered for a while.

Its All Wright

I laughed when bottled water first hit the shelves..but now it is all i drink

I welcome the water tax if it ends up improving our dreadful water supply

Femme_Fatale

Genuine question: what's wrong with our water supply?

I'm not critical of the water charge because it is necessary by now, but just wondering what is so bad about our water/supply.

henryporter

And they're concerned a punt graduates electing senators. Should be more concerned with certain rednecks voting at all in this cuntry!

Femme_Fatale

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Genuine question: what's wrong with our water supply?

I'm not critical of the water charge because it is necessary by now, but just wondering what is so bad about our water/supply.

Where do you live? I can think of few places that haven't had issues recently.

wexie wrote: »

If it's a metered charge I'd imagine there will probably be a standing charge for the privilege of having the meter.

There'll be an annual charge to cover the cost of the meter initially. The price of the meters is being massively overstated though.

wexie

Its All Wright wrote: »

I laughed when bottled water first hit the shelves..but now it is all i drink

I welcome the water tax if it ends up improving our dreadful water supply

It's a big if, but the water infrastructure is dreadful indeed. I grew up in Holland and when I first moved to Dublin many many moons ago I couldn't understand why there could possibly be a need for tanks in the attic. I don't believe they're being used in many other countries in europe either. (anybody know?).

Not being able to drink the tapwater for months on end? In an affluent western european country? Simply laughable.

For being such an abundant resource it's clearly been horrendously mismanaged in Ireland for many years.

Sir Humphrey Appleby

Hitchens wrote: »

...in the wettest country on earth? I'm after driving through rivers of water today, the whole shaggin' place is soaking wet.

Not the slightest danger of running out of water.

People buying water in shops, can never figure that out either. :mad:

dumbest question of the year, did you drive through water treatment plants, do you think the water magics is way to your tap?:rolleyes:

No one pays for water, what they pay for is the treatment & transportation of that water to them, sometimes the shít that comes out of the taps shouldn't be charged for! :mad:

April O Neill

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Genuine question: what's wrong with our water supply?

I'm not critical of the water charge because it is necessary by now, but just wondering what is so bad about our water/supply.

Generally, I find the quality good, but that Cryptosporidium thing a few years ago was pretty ridiculous!

wexie

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Genuine question: what's wrong with our water supply?

I'm not critical of the water charge because it is necessary by now, but just wondering what is so bad about our water/supply.

It's not fit for human consumption in many places and lots of it leaking out of the system and therefore necessitating the use of tanks (which themselves can lead to many problems and health issues)

http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Gastroenteric/Cryptosporidiosis/Publications/EpidemiologyofCryptosporidiosisinIrelandAnnualReports/File,1457,en.pdf

http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=3187

Ace2007

hfallada wrote: »

But I hope their is no BS allowances( paid for by other users) just because someone is an OAP, when most middle class families are struggling, but get no help from the government.

Just on this, I think you would want allowances of sort.
For example an OAP probably has shower/bath once a week while a family would could have 2/3. Therefore do you want them treated the same?

MadsL

There is apparently a market for sand in Saudi Arabia.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/06/12/australian-companies-selling-sand-to-saudi-arabia/

As yet reports of coals to Newcastle are vague...

Owen_S

The great side effect of these charges is that more people will began harvesting rainwater.

wexie

MadsL wrote: »

There is apparently a market for sand in Saudi Arabia.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/06/12/australian-companies-selling-sand-to-saudi-arabia/

As yet reports of coals to Newcastle are vague...

One of my friends got a serious slagging from a border guard crossing the border from panama to columbia when she was caught with a small baggy of weed. The guard wanted to know if she was worried about being able to obtain drugs

dxhound2005

Its All Wright wrote: »

I laughed when bottled water first hit the shelves..but now it is all i drink

I welcome the water tax if it ends up improving our dreadful water supply

Fill a bottle from the tap and leave it in the fridge overnight. Water from the fridge tastes better to me than straight out of the tap. Your bottled water from the shop will not taste as nice either at room temperature.

wexie

wexie wrote: »

It's a big if, but the water infrastructure is dreadful indeed. I grew up in Holland and when I first moved to Dublin many many moons ago I couldn't understand why there could possibly be a need for tanks in the attic. I don't believe they're being used in many other countries in europe either. (anybody know?).

Ireland and the UK use low pressure systems, Europe uses high pressure systems. There's no "need" for either, low pressure systems can simplify maintenance/repairs and are simpler in general, and can smooth demand.

Not being able to drink the tapwater for months on end? In an affluent western european country? Simply laughable.

For being such an abundant resource it's clearly been horrendously mismanaged in Ireland for many years.

While I won't disagree about it being mismanaged there are issues with water in different places for all kinds of reasons. Also the "abundance" is pretty much irrelevant in many ways, plants can only process so much water, heavy rain can cause problems, water has to be put into the pipes once treated etc.

Dempsey

Hitchens wrote: »

...in the wettest country on earth? I'm after driving through rivers of water today, the whole shaggin' place is soaking wet.

Not the slightest danger of running out of water.

People buying water in shops, can never figure that out either. :mad:

How do you think it gets to your tap and how do you think its made safe for drinking?

Why dont you harvest your own water & purify it. Problem Solved!

wexie

Deleted User wrote: »

Ireland and the UK use low pressure systems, Europe uses high pressure systems. There's no "need" for either, low pressure systems can simplify maintenance/repairs and are simpler in general, and can smooth demand.

Hmmm....that's sounds plausible, however it would lead me to ask how come nobody else seems to be using a low pressure system? Also it would seem to be that any high pressure system is a lot more capable of and suitable to keep outside contaminents out.

Deleted User wrote: »

While I won't disagree about it being mismanaged there are issues with water in different places for all kinds of reasons. Also the "abundance" is pretty much irrelevant in many ways, plants can only process so much water, heavy rain can cause problems, water has to be put into the pipes once treated etc.

Oh no argument there, I'm broadly aware of what goes into water treatment etc. However the infrastructure in Ireland is horribly outdated from what little I know. I can't for the life of me imagine any valid reasons why water supply would have to be an issue in Ireland (in the cities) with the size of the population. Provided there hadn't been serious mismanagement of (or lack of investment in) the system over a long period of time.

Ush1

Doesn't the UK have much better pressure than here hence how common combi boilers are over there.

The_Gatsby

Ireland's water supply/infrastructure is in a terrible state. Some of the pipes used to transport water around the infrastructure are 80+ years old. Major upgrades are needed as there are serious risks that those pipes may collapse. Not to mention the extraordinary rate at which they leak water.

The water treatment plant in Leixlip runs extremely close to capacity on a good day. If there is ever a rise in demand or even if one of those 80 year old pipes fails on us then we're fúcked basically, Dublin wouldn't have any water. Add to this the fact that most of the plants in rural areas of the country are old and not sufficiently equipped to treat water and you really get an idea how badly we need upgrades.

Water charges will pay for the upgrades and it's one thing I think the government has got right. People from other countries are astounded when they find out we don't have to pay for water.

OP, your statements are child like and make you look stupid, which I'm sure you're not.

hansfrei

Deleted User wrote: »

Metering will reduce usage massively and make those costly repair leaks cheaper. Britain has been spending like crazy to reduce leakages but I think that once they get to under 30% that's as good as it's going to get, metering would instantly reduce demand at least as much as fixing leaks could increase supply.


Unfortunately the general opposition seems to be against charges in general while the parts of the plans that should be protested aren't targeted properly and it will only be at the last minute those issues are properly raised and then it'll be too late.

Using absolutes and certainties. It's absolutely not certain that we'll save f all. If anything it'll just add another cost to society, drive up inflation and make us even more uncompetitive.

If people are trying to tell me that magic will happen. Cheap clean water will appear at our taps they're either lying or delusional. This is Ireland, not the UK.

Dempsey

hansfrei wrote: »

Using absolutes and certainties. It's absolutely not certain that we'll save f all. If anything it'll just add another cost to society, drive up inflation and make us even more uncompetitive.

If people are trying to tell me that magic will happen. Cheap clean water will appear at our taps they're either lying or delusional. This is Ireland, not the UK.

How do you expect the infrastructure to be maintained if not taxation?

wexie

Dempsey wrote: »

How do you expect the infrastructure to be maintained if not taxation?

As long as the taxation is actually used for the infrastructure that'd be fine.

Lots of money in this country simply disappears into nothingness apparently.

Ush1

Doesn't the UK have much better pressure than here hence how common combi boilers are over there.

wexie

wexie wrote: »

Hmmm....that's sounds plausible, however it would lead me to ask how come nobody else seems to be using a low pressure system? Also it would seem to be that any high pressure system is a lot more capable of and suitable to keep outside contaminents out.

Why do we use different plugs to Europeans and different voltage to America?
There is still a mains connections straight to the cold tap in the kitchen so there's no chance of contamination of drinking water.

Oh no argument there, I'm broadly aware of what goes into water treatment etc. However the infrastructure in Ireland is horribly outdated from what little I know. I can't for the life of me imagine any valid reasons why water supply would have to be an issue in Ireland (in the cities) with the size of the population. Provided there hadn't been serious mismanagement of (or lack of investment in) the system over a long period of time.

While Ireland has underspent a lot there's an issue of philosophy as well. Much of the world just went ahead for the last few decades expanding supply and it's just taken up. We could go ahead and expand supply with massive infrastructural works or we can just put on meters and save a lot of money (believe it or not!), save ecological impacts and environmental impacts. It also doesn't rain quite as much in Ireland as people think :pac:
Some modernisation is needed and I hope (probably in vain) that funds will go where they should. The fact the new company will be independent and likely privatised soon will hopefully mean most of the funds go to the right place.

Jesus Wept

hfallada wrote: »

It has to be processed, which is extremely expensive to do. There is like 7 steps eg. flirtation, chlorination etc. Then it has to be piped and monitored constantly to check its quality. It costs the tax payer nearly €1 billion a year to do. I think the water charges will make people think twice about watering the grass during the summer( we dont live in Phoenix, Arizona, it will rain eventually) or washing their cars every week.

But I hope their is no BS allowances( paid for by other users) just because someone is an OAP, when most middle class families are struggling, but get no help from the government.

I have never seen anyone watering grass in this country.

Sh1tbag OToole

The fcukers can charge us for our own houses that we built ourselves on our own land, think what they can do if they actually provide us with a service