Firms to have say on charges

IRISH Water is urging businesses in Wicklow to participate in Regulator’s consultation on future charges for water and wastewater.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has just opened an eight week consultation on the future of non-domestic water and wastewater tariffs and Irish Water is urging all those affected to have their say.

Currently, Irish Water continues to apply the Local Authority non-domestic tariffs that were in place in December 2013. There are 44 different charging regimes across the country with different tariff structures and over 500 different tariff levels. Recognising this complexity and inequity in business charges, the CRU asked Irish Water to submit a proposal for a new non-domestic tariff framework.

Speaking about the consultation, Irish Water’s General Manager Eamon Gallen said: ‘Irish Water’s aim is to ensure that every business around the country is provided with a clear, transparent, equitable charging regime regardless of where they are located. Currently there are over 500 different tariff levels, with customers in different Local Authorities paying different charges. Irish Water’s proposals will simplify and standardise these charges across the country, providing equity to all business customers.

After considering the responses the CRU will issue its proposed decision towards the end of the year together with the proposed tariff rates, and will again seek stakeholder views. The new framework and tariff rates are planned to come into effect in late 2019.