Water facts please

Madam - It’s almost here. In October the water charges will begin, so who will raise their hands to show that they fully understand the billing system and in turn are content to pay when the water authorities tell you how much you’ve used and how much you must pay for it.

If you happen to be one of those who fully understands all of the above then I congratulate you. I must admit that I am one of the people who do not understand any of it at all.

What I do know however is that when I stop at any garage to buy fuel, I insert the nozzle, press the lever and it immediately shows me the amount I am getting and the cost per litre. I do not have to ask or enquire from the assistant behind the counter how much I owe because I already know.

The same should apply when I turn on my tap or have a shower or use the toilet.

Surely every household is entitled to have a similar meter installed inside of their home to show what water is being used and the cost per litre.

The water charges will sweep over us like a tsunami but unlike that freak happening which quickly disappears, the water charges will remain with us forever just like the bin charge, the household charge and the property tax.

Once a charge comes in it will never be removed, but it will change — it will increase. The only things likely to go in the other direction are pensions, social welfare benefits, and medical cards.

The water board do have an advisory section on line dealing with many of the questions that may be asked. There are some 40 headings, each heading having several pages. To understand any of it you will probably need the help and advice of a Senior Counsel and a team of reputable accountants. You will also need some time off work if you are one of the few who have a job.

For far too long we citizens have been fobbed off by our elected representatives with jargon that most of us do not understand until we are finally told “well that’s the law! You have to pay it.”

Now is the time to stand up and demand that we are made fully aware of the total cost of what I consider to be a human right. And I want to be told in plain English exactly what is the position. Fred Molloy Clonsilla, Dublin 15