Gosub wrote: » First I will state that I'm not against paying for water, just as I'm not against paying for electricity or phone service. I've paid for water when I lived abroad, so maybe I'm just used to the idea. The real problem with the Irish version of paying for water is going to be the cost. I don't know how many people here, whether pro or con, have worked out an estimate of how much they will end up paying for their water. I have, and I'm shocked! In Spain, my water bill worked out at around €240 per year. I certainly didn't try to keep my usage down. Gardens got watered, cars got washed, etc. True, the water quality was below the level where you would drink from the tap, but it was fine for showers, washing, brushing teeth and washing clothes. There are just the two of us in the house and we conserve, recycle and harvest water. From my estimate, it looks like our water bill will be in the region of €750 per year! This is scandalous and deserves to be opposed. How can anyone justify such a high figure for just two, water conscious, people? I would urge all those defending these charges to spend a little time working out an estimate of their usage, and therefore, cost. The figures are all available for you to do this easily. The average person will flush the toilet five times a day. That's 45 liters of water per person per day. For two people, that's more than your whole free allowance for the year... Just flushing the toilet! A washing machine will use typically 60 liters per use, a dishwasher typically 45 liters. Include baths, showers, brushing teeth, washing, etc. I think many will be surprised at the bill they will end up facing.
tigger123 wrote: » Does that figure take into account your water allowances?
Gosub wrote: » Yes.
jaykay74 wrote: » It seems that for those who think we already pay for water that they have a preference for the current system then ? Where water is paid for indirectly thorugh income tax/VAT etc rather than directly based on usage. I guess that suits people who use a lot of water. Seems illogical though.
hiFidelity wrote: » someone posted this on Facebook earlier. I have not used the person's correct name but people from there will know who this is referring to. "H****** K***** was Sligo County Manager for 17 years and when he retired in 2013 he received a lump sum of 270,000 and a pension of 68,000 per year. His time as Sligo manager was controversial and he left behind a County debt of 80 million. "It's not the end of the world, nobody died," he said about the council's financial woes. At one stage he refused to attend council meetings in a dispute with an independent Councillor and spent more than €50,000 council money hiring HR consultant D***** N******n to monitor meetings. Asked to comment on reports that his own pay as Sligo Manager, at €136,000, was €30,000 more than that of the Spanish prime minister, Mr K***** said his salary was fixed by Government. “I am surprised that the Spanish prime minister earns so little.” So after retiring from Sligo he has his pockets full, thanks to the taxpayer - that's YOU and ME, So, has Mr K***** taken up fishing? No, H***** has apparently found gainful employment with Irish Water. Irish Water, home to retired Council managers, headed up by retired Dublin Manager J*** T****** (salary 200,000 Eur). But apparently Irish Water managers would have to get by on a measly 100,000. Hopefully though they might be able to survive once the expenses and free cars are factored in. So you can see good people why it's going to take 20 years to fix all those rusty old water pipes!"
jaykay74 wrote: » Here in Stockholm we pay about 600 euro a year for 2 adults, 3 kids (its based on usage not numbers of people in household). Water quality is decent. 240 sounds really cheap but anytime I've been to Spain I've bought bottled water as the tap stuff seems dodgy.
Mrs Garth Brooks wrote: » Up and down the road, our neighbours has got water meters. I was on the Irish water website looking at the process of installing meters. 1. About two weeks before the installation you will receive an information pack explaining the work and what to expect when we install your meter. 2. At least two days before the installation we will notify you of the date when the water meter will be fitted. 1 and 2 did not happen unless it was a flyer in the door. Did anyone else get the same? I'm not dying to sign up. But my mother has been scared or bullied, what will happen if we don't pay up. Can they put a meter in without telling us? All the neighbours has a meter, why leave us out? We do have overgrown weeds outside, but we searched and can't find a meter, but can they install a meter without telling us?
yipeeeee wrote: » All set for sinn fein to take over now. Then the fun will really begin.
Phoebas wrote: » It will - when people read the SF policy document that includes privatisation of water services.
Iwasfrozen wrote: » There's a lot of people saying "at least 100k" any kind of official number yet? Because although the 100k number may be right I'm highly skeptical until I see some proof.
gladrags wrote: » There is no method for estimating the exact figure.
Phoebas wrote: » Does anyone know what exactly is planned for Nov 1st? Some kind of follow up protest or something?
Highflyer13 wrote: » A national day of protest in towns and villages across Ireland. Personally I think it would have been better to have another march in the capital in 2 weeks time and build on yesterdays numbers.
Satriale wrote: » I think they can put in a meter without your permission. Similar to your own story an aquaintance was bypassed for a meter a few months ago. Rural area, connected to mains, people both side of him were metered. (And he wouldnt have argued if they tried to put in the meter.) Not sure if it had anything to do with it, but he hasnt paid the HHC or LPT, the neighbours had.
L'Enfer du Nord wrote: » Sorry if this has already come up but... I hadn't received any correspondence from IW so I rang them up to find out what the story was. It turned out that they had sent out a pack to me at an address I moved out almost exactly a year ago. When I asked where they got that address from they wouldn't tell me, because the person I was talking to couldn't find out from 'the system'. Anyone know where they are getting their data from, also surely water charges are by the address/house hold not the individual. So the starting point should be the address then who lives there, someone else lives at my old address now, how come they couldn't find this out. How come my current address is a secret to them?
Mrs Garth Brooks wrote: » I know they can install meters without your permission. But without informing you?
tigger123 wrote: » People are better off hassling their local TD than marching around the place. If enough backbenchers feel their seats are in jeopardy it could push them to act. The march will solve nothing.
Highflyer13 wrote: » It raises awareness, pushes people to act, will make the coalition think before they impose more stealth taxes and makes people confident to approach their local T.Ds with their concerns as there is now unified strength in numbers. Marching has many advantages. No doubt backbenchers are already feeling their seats are in trouble this morning.
Phoebas wrote: » The metres are installed outside your property on the public side on public infrastructure. They don't have to inform you at all, but they do as a courtesy (they do need to shut the water off for a few minutes when they link up the meter).
