Last Week's Top Five Queries (Week Ending 06.08.2017)

Irish Water: Siobhan

1.    What caused the recent operational issues in Kilkee Pumping Station, Co. Clare?

Irish Water carried out a routine health and safety audit of the Kilkee Pump Station, which is over 40 years old, in November 2016. A number of issues were identified in particular the surge vessels were found to be in need of upgrading.

Due to the complex nature of these works some elements have been completed but the full programme of works will take a couple of more months to be finalised. In December 2016 there was an issue with a storm rising main at the station which burst. As a result, a precautionary do not swim notice was imposed on the beach. While works continue to upgrade the pump station, the notice was lifted in consultation with the HSE and Clare County Council in May of this year.

Due to operational electrical issues in the Kilkee Pump Station early morning on July 26, this caused the pumps to be out of service for a number of hours. This led to a discharge of wastewater to the Victoria stream in Kilkee for a period of time. The HSE and the EPA were notified and a precautionary bathing prohibition notice was put in place by the HSE for Kilkee beach to protect public health.

The pump station resumed operations at 11am on 26 July but the bathing restriction remained in place until 1 August to allow for a sampling programme. This issue has been resolved and the pump station is fully operational. Irish Water confirm that from 11am on Wednesday, July 26, no further discharges arising from this incident have taken place in Kilkee. Bacterial bathing water testing undertaken by Clare County Council has demonstrated that the bacterial water quality has been restored in the Kilkee area.

Both Irish Water and Clare County Council are aware of electrical issues at the Kilkee Pump Station. These are being addressed with the ESB as part of the ongoing upgrade works. An old generator, over 30 years old, which was in extremely poor condition, was taken off site in May to see if it could be refurbished. However, this was not possible and the procurement process to purchase a new generator commenced. An order to purchase will be issued in the next couple of days. A temporary generator has been in place since 28 July and is fully operational. The pump station has been manned on a 24-hour basis since then. The temporary generator will remain in place until the permanent generator is installed.

2.    What sewer upgrade works are taking place in Pebble Beach, Cobh, Co. Cork?

The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project is required to significantly enhance the water quality in Cork Harbour. Currently, wastewater from Cobh, Carrigaline, Passage West/Monkstown and Ringaskiddy is discharged untreated into the Harbour.


The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project consists of:

- A new Wastewater Treatment Plant
- 14 new pumping stations
- Approximately 30km of new sewers
- A drilled crossing under the estuary

Currently, site investigation to support the detailed design of the Cobh network is continuing and it is planned that construction of the Cobh network will commence in mid 2018 and will last for approximately 24 months. As part of the Cobh Network works, a pipeline will be laid in the roadway through Pebble beach.

The works in Pebble Beach will be scheduled once the detailed design of the network is completed. Irish Water and its Contractors will liaise with the local area staff of the Cork County Council, the Gardai, local industry, schools, businesses and local residents to minimize the impacts of the works. Lands will be reinstated ( i.e. returned to their previous state), and Irish Water will ensure that the Contractors comply with this commitment through liaison with the Local Authority.

Furthermore, Irish Water, and its Contractors, will liaise closely with the community before and during construction to ensure a constant flow of information, and to ensure that local considerations are taken into account, such as in developing the traffic management plan, for example.

3.    How can I access a water utility map?

You can get this information from the Planning Department within your Local Authority.

We can only provide you with a digital water utility map, or alternatively you can request this by emailing datarequests@water.ie. Please allow up to 10 working days for the issuing of digital data through this service. For a hard copy, you would need to request this from the Planning Department.

If you would like us to send you a digital map, please PM us the following:

- Name
- Address
- Email address
- Contact number

4.    Who is liable for unpaid bills in a rented property if a tenant does not register with Irish Water?

As the landlord of a domestic property, you are obliged to contact Irish Water within 20 working days of an agreement start date and provide the name(s) of your tenant(s) and the start date of the agreement you have with your tenants e.g. rental agreement.

For more information regarding Landlord and Tenants, please visit our website.

5.    What are the connection and development contribution fees for a standard domestic water connection for a new house in rural 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.