Legislative Background
Government policy requires local authorities to recover the cost of providing water services from the users of these services, (with the exception of households using the services for domestic purposes), through the levying of non domestic water service charges. This is in accordance with the Polluter Pays Principle and the requirements of S.I No. 722 of the 2003 European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003, and The Water Policy Regulations (Amendment) S.I No. 413 of 2005.
The policy provides for full cost recovery without profit, with charges based on actual metered consumption. A standing charge for meters is also allowed. The cost of providing water services to the non-domestic sector includes an element for infrastructure provision including meter installation and operation and maintenance costs and varies from local authority to local authority.
Who pays water charges?
All non-domestic users of the water service must pay water charges.
Under the Water Pricing Policy, government funding is provided to local authorities for domestic water services only. Domestic water charges were abolished by the Government in 1997. Domestic water is very strictly defined to mean water for ordinary household purposes within a domestic situation. Non - domestic users who have a mixed supply (e.g. farm and house) are allowed a domestic allowance of 50,000 gallons/227 m3 of water free of charge per annum.
There is a specific requirement on local authorities to meter and charge for all non-domestic water supplied. Unlike private utility suppliers, government policy dictates that no profit may be made on the service.
Attention in particular should be paid to the conservation of water by regularly monitoring usage and repairing leaks, as customers will be charged for all consumption measured through the meter. Substantial volumes of water can be lost through taps not being turned off when not in use and through leakages in pipeworks. Water is a valuable and finite resource and the Council encourages conservation of water at all times.
Note
Please note that it is important that any change in circumstances (e.g. change of ownership, billing address, usage etc) are notified to the Council promptly so that our records can be kept up to date. If there is a change of occupier in a premises (owner or tenant), it is vital that the Council are informed in a timely manner so that arrangements can be made to take a final reading from the meter and issue a bill for water consumed prior to the new owner/occupier taking possession.
2012 Water Charges
Where the connection is metered, the scale of charges for 2012 is as follows:
Type of Premises
|
Unit Charge
|
| Standing Charge |
€150 (€75.00 per half yearly bill, €37.50 per quarter year bill and €12.50 per monthly bill)
|
| Non-domestic (water only) |
€1.50 per m3
(€6.81 per 1,000 gallons) |
| Non-domestic (water and sewer) |
€2.51 per m3
(€11.41 per 1,000 gallons) |
| Field supply |
€1.50 per m3
(€6.81 per 1,000 gallons) |
| Non-domestic with a domestic unit |
First 227 m3 free per annum/50,000 gallons
|
A maximum charge of 1.8 times the standing charge will apply in the case of a single farm holding with multiple connections (€270.00 per annum).
Where the connection is not metered, a fixed charge will apply as follows:
| Type of Premises |
Fixed Charge
|
Non-domestic-water only
|
€500 |
| Non-domestic-water and sewer |
€600
|
| Field Supply |
€500
|
Non-domestic water with a domestic unit
|
€400 |
| Non-domestic-water and sewer with a domestic unit |
€480 |
Examples:
The following are examples of what a consumer will have to pay based on the 2012 charge (for illustrative purposes only):
1. Where both water and sewerage services are provided:
1. Using 200 gallons per day:
€832 plus a standing charge of €150 = €982 per annum.
2. Using 500 gallons per day:
€2,082 plus a standing charge of €150 = €2,232 pr annum.
3. Using 2,500 gallons per day:
€10,411 plus a standing charge of €150 = €10,561 per annum.
2. Where water only is supplied:
1. Using 200 gallons per day:
€497 plus a standing charge of €150 = €647 per annum.
2. Using 500 gallons per day:
€1,242 plus a standing charge of €150 = €1,392 per annum.
3. Using 2,500 gallons per day:
€6,414 plus a standing charge of €150 = €6,364 per annum.
3. Allowances:
When a supply is proved for both non-domestic and domestic (household) purposes – a volumetric charge will apply when the usage exceeds 50,000 gallons/227m3 per annum.
The standing charge of €150 will continue to apply.
How often are bills issued?
Billing frequency is dependent on consumption but the majority of non-domestic users will be billed twice annually in February & August. Details are as follows:
Where consumption exceeds 10m3 per day, the customer will receive a monthly bill.
Where consumption exceeds 1m3 per day, but less than 10m3 per day the customer will be billed on a quarterly basis (February, May, August & November)
Where consumption of less than 1m3 per day, customers will be billed twice annually in February and August.
Payment options:
1. Through the normal postal system (Cheques, Postal Orders etc. should be made payable to Donegal County Council and crossed “A/C Payee only”)
Please do not post Cash.
2. Direct Debit - Organised between the Council and the Bank, where an agreement is signed by the customer providing the relevant bank account details. The Council can take the necessary instalment from the customer’s bank account. If the instalment is increased or decreased the Council will adjust the withdrawal accordingly. Please ask for a ‘Direct Debit Payment Form’ using the contact details above.
3. Bank Standing Order - Organised between the Customer and the Bank – it is the customer’s decision how much is to be taken from their account and paid to the Council. If the instalment needs to be changed it is the responsibility of the customer to contact the bank in order to amend the amount to be paid.
4. Credit Transfer (Donegal Co Council Bank A/c Details:- 15990110 and Sort Code 98-60-10)
5. E-Banking (Donegal Co Council Bank A/c Details:- 15990110 and Sort Code 98-60-10)
IBAN No. IE48 ULSB 9860 1015 9901 10 BIC No. ULSB IE 2D
e-Mail Address: eft@donegalcoco.ie (For Remittance Advices)
6. Credit/Laser Card facility is available at the offices listed above
7. In person at any of the Public Service Centres
(Monday to Friday, 9.15 am to 12.15 pm and from 1.15 pm to 4.00 pm)
• Three Rivers Centre, Lifford
• Public Service Centre, Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny
• Public Service Centre, Gweedore Road, Dungloe
• Public Service Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town
• Public Service Centre, Malin Road, Carndonagh
• Public Service Centre, Main Street, Milford