Last Week's Top Five Queries.

Irish Water: Kim

Q 1: When will Irish Water be clearly listing the late payments fees on their website?

Information on late payment fees and charges is now available to view on our website here.

Q 2: How did Irish Water obtain my personal data without my consent, and without my having any contract or agreement with them?

As information was sought from a number of sources and merged into Irish Water’s database, it is not possible to accurately state the exact source of your data, but the relevant persons listed in section 26 and subsequent ministerial order include the Revenue Commissioners, ESB, PRTB, the Local Government Management Agency, local authorities and An Post. Additional Landlords are also entitled to provide tenants names and addresses in order to absolve themselves of liability with regards rented properties.

Irish Water is obliged to charge each customer for the provision by it of water services. The obligation to pay for water services arises directly from legislation and the relationship between Irish Water and its customers is founded in statute, not in contract.

Q 3: If I chose not to avail of Irish water and your service I would like to know what steps you will take. Will you send someone around to my house to disconnect the water and sewage mains from the public supply?

Irish Water has drafted an interim policy on the voluntary discontinuation of domestic water supply and this is currently awaiting approval from the CER.

Q4: I do not wish to be a customer of Irish Water can you please outline to me how I can have my details removed from your commercial database.

Irish Water was set up as Ireland's new national water utility company by the Water Services Act 2013. Our relationship with our customers is founded in statute rather than in contract. The functions of Irish Water are set out in the Water Services Act 2007 to 2014 (the "Water Services Acts"). Further details of the services we provide can be found on our website, www.water.ie

The 2007 Water Services Act and the Water Services Act (No 2) 2013 deem an occupier of premises as being liable for paying domestic water charges. Under the Act, it is assumed the owner is the occupier unless proved otherwise. This places the occupier as a customer.

Pursuant to section 21 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, Irish Water is obliged to charge each customer for the provision by it of water services. The obligation to pay for water services arises directly from legislation and the relationship between Irish Water and its customers is founded in statute, not in contract. On that basis, Irish Water is obliged to charge all persons who are in receipt of water services from it irrespective as to whether or not such persons have registered with Irish Water. Section 21(3) provides that such a charge is payable on demand in such manner as Irish Water determines. Therefore, it is not possible for us to return your registration form.

Q5: Can registered users apply and get a grant even if they haven't paid either or both bills received so far?

All customers and non-customers, who have registered their details with Irish Water prior to the 30th of June 2015, will be eligible to apply for the Water Conservation Grant in 2015. This grant is separate from Irish Water and is being paid and administered by the Department of Social Protection, who will contact all registered customers and non-customers from late August, regarding the distribution of the grant. For more information on the Water Conservation Grant please click here.