Last Week's Top Five Queries (Week Ending 16.07.2017)

Irish Water: Micheal

1. I have noticed a strong chemical taste from my drinking water in Stillorgan, what can I do?

If you send the following details by private message, we can follow up on this for you:

- Name;
- Address; and
- Contact number


2. Can I have a confirmation letter that I have no outstanding water bills? 

If you PM the following details, we can look into this for you:

- Name;
- Address;
- Contact number


3. Can you provide me with some information about when water payment refunds will become available? 

Irish Water has noted the announcement by government that Water Charge refunds will be issued in the Autumn and is working to ensure that this can be achieved as efficiently and accurately as possible. 

Irish Water’s primary concern is that the payment of refunds is as straightforward as possible from a customer point of view and that those who made a payment to Irish Water are refunded with a minimum of delay, once Government has passed the legislation and provided the funding needed to allow for refunds.


4. What is the process for connecting private side wastewater connection pipe to wastewater mains? Is there a grant available to assist these type of works? 

Irish Water is responsible for the maintenance of the public water and wastewater infrastructure and in this instance, we would not be able to provide assistance with the repairs of private side sewer infrastructure which would include service connections to the public water and wastewater mains.

Irish Water does not offer any schemes or grants in relation to new connection works for private side water or wastewater infrastructure. You may wish to visit the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government website, www.housing.gov.ie which may provide some insight into possible grants available for works on private property.

For more information in relation to new connections, please visit www.water.ie/connections


5. Can I get a breakdown of fees for water connections in Donegal?


                 As you are aware, Irish Water has been responsible for the provision of water services since January 2014. As of this date, and with the approval of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), Irish Water has been applying Interim New Connection Charges in the form of (i) Works Fees; and (ii) Infrastructure Fees; and (iii) Supplemental Fees (where applicable). These fees are the equivalent of (i) Connection Fees; and (ii) that portion of Development Levies which the Local Authorities (LAs) were formerly entitled to charge for water and/or waste water infrastructure; and (iii) Supplemental development contribution schemes respectively.

The previous Local Authority Connection Fee is now called a Works Fee and the previous Local Authority Development Levy (for water or waste water connections) is now called an Infrastructure Fee. Both these fees are now charged by Irish Water as they were charged in the Local Authorities on the 31st of December 2013. Please note that these charges and the calculation of these charges differ from one Local Authority to the next.

During the interim period (until the CER approves an enduring Connection Policy), Irish Water charges customers in accordance with the CER approved 'Water Charges Plan'. Sections 21 and 22 of the Water Services Act (No. 2) 2013 sets out that Irish Water shall charge customers as calculated in accordance with the approved Water Charges Plan. The current Water Charges Plan states (at Section 6) that in relation to new connections, Irish Water is entitled to charge an amount 'equivalent to the water and Wastewater related development levies which the Local Authorities were formerly entitled to charge'.

In regards to the connection charges for the water and wastewater connection with both mains running along the road frontage located within the County Donegal, an estimated connection charge of E2,825.95 is appropriate, assuming no additional works. Again, these charges are based on what Donegal County Council would have charged as of 31 December 2013. The breakdown of these charges would be:

1) Works Fees: E570.00 (minimum standard charge)
- Water Connection: E285.00 (minimum standard charge). Additional charges may apply on a case by case basis.
- Wastewater Connection: E285.00 (minimum standard charge). Additional charges may apply on a case by case basis.

2) Infrastructure Fee (Water only): E2,255.95
- Floor Area = 190m2
- Residential Infrastructure Fee – Water Services (House/Apt over 160m2 - 200m2) = E1,877.37
- Residential Infrastructure Fee – Wastewater Services (House/Apt over 160m2 - 200m2) = E378.58

3) Total Connection Charge (Water only): E6,964.20
Connection Works Fees in Co. Donegal are generally calculated on a case by case basis, incorporating a standard minimum charge. In regards to Infrastructure Fees, below is a table outlining the Infrastructure Fees for Water and Wastewater Services for residential developments in County Donegal. These fees are based on the Donegal County Council Development Contribution Scheme in place on 31st December 2016 and have been indexed accordingly:

House/Apt 160m2 or less: Water: E1,877.37 Waste:E124.46
House/Apt over 160m2 - 200m2: Water: E1,877.37 Waste: E378.58
House/Apt over 200m2: Water: E2,613.79 Waste: E378.58
Holiday Home/Apt: Water: E3,044.24 Waste: E378.58
Holiday Home/Apt (5 or more): Water: E1,903.30 Waste: E378.58
Caravan/ Mobile Homes: Water: E1,037.22 Waste: E0.00

Specific connection charges should not be assumed on the basis of the information in this response, Irish Water will confirm the cost of a connection on a case by case basis in line with the LA development scheme in effect on 31st Dec 2013.