Greater efficiencies see water charges reduced

BUSINESSES got at least one break in this year’s town budget with a reduction in commercial water charges by 10 cent per cubic metre.

The new price will see water charged at €1.20 per cubic metre for the year plus the €26.25 network management charge per quarter. Combined with a stay in the rates it means that businesses are at the least not facing greater overheads from urban authority services.

The reduction in the water rate was made possible through much greater efficiencies in the system in Listowel, according to Listowel Town Clerk David O’brien.

“The instalment of a new pressure-reduction valve at Ballygologue, the continual improvement of water main works with new piping and a new system for monitoring leaks in the system mean that Listowel is saving much more water from leaking out of the system,” Mr O’brien explained.

“For instance, with the new monitoring system we know exactly when a leak occurs as we can see a spike in the outflow immediately. This allows us to address the leak straightaway and save lots of water for the town consumption.”

While it’s impossible to put a figure on what businesses will save as each business has different water requirements it should make for at least a saving of seven per cent in the water bill per year, he added.

Other improvements traders and townspeople will be happy to see include two-hour free parking on Saturdays and a new fund of €3,000 expressly for brightening up vacant shop fronts in the centre of town.

“The fund will allow us brighten up disused shopfronts and at the same time promoting attractions in Listowel. We might take up two windows in a premises, say, with posters highlighting the Castle. We’re delighted Listowel Tidy Towns is working with us on this front.”