‘Water discount for businesses is not enough to cover costs’
The discount offered by Irish Water to businesses affected by the Lough Talt ‘ boil water’ notice is not enough.
That’s according to Councillor Keith Henry.
The Leas Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Keith Henry says that the 40% discount offered to businesses does not cover the additional costs.
The Ballymote Fianna Fáil Councillor proposed a motion asking for the rationale behind the figure and for an increase at the April meeting of the Council.
Speaking at the meeting Cllr Henry said “We are now entering the third month of the boil water notice. Businesses in the food, pub and hospitality industry have been severely impacted by this notice.
“Everyone wants to see a quick resolution to this matter in the form of an upgraded treatment plant”.
Several businesses in South Sligo have contacted Cllr Henry about the matter asking for support.
“These businesses have significant increased costs in the purchasing of water and ice plus the cost of disposing additional plastic”.
In response to his motion the Council wrote to Irish Water and their reply stated that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities asked them to apply a discount. Irish Water stated that the 40% figure is a countrywide one.
Cllr Henry said while a “40% discount may be enough to businesses in more populated and urban area, the additional costs are not offset in a rural area like South Sligo where new business in these sectors is difficult to generate and is often seasonal”.
“I’m asking for Irish Water to review this percentage until such a time as the issue is resolved.
“I also want to pay tribute to and thank the businesses out there who have not passed on the additional cost to their customers, many of whom have additional household costs as a result of this boil notice also” Cllr Henry concluded