Water Charges
This section of our website outlines the background to the introduction of water charges for Non Domestic users, who is liable to pay water charges, and sets out the charges in place for 2009.
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.
2009 Water Charges
Where the connection is metered, the scale of charges for 2009 is as follows:
| Type of Premises |
Unit Charge |
| Standing Charge |
€290 (€145 per half yearly bill, €72.50 per quarter year bill and €24.16 per monthly bill) |
Non-domestic (water only)
|
€1.35 per m3
(€6.14 per 1,000 gallons) |
Non-domestic (water and sewer)
|
€2.31 per m3
(€10.50 per 1,000 gallons) |
Field supply
|
€1.35 per m3
(€6.14 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 (€520.00 per annum).
Where the connection is not metered, a fixed charge will apply as follows:
| Type of Premises |
Fixed Charge |
| Non-domestic-water only |
€440 |
| Non-domestic-water and sewer |
€500 |
| Field Supply |
€440 |
| Non-domestic with a domestic unit |
€360 |
Charges for Primary & Secondary Schools
Transitional arrangements up to the end 2009 for charging schools (both primary and secondary) are as follows:
Water & Wastewater charge
Flat fee to be paid per pupil to be calculated as follows:
- 2009-€4.00 per year per pupil enrolled
Water only charge
Flat fee to be paid per pupil to be calculated as follows:
- 2009-€3.00 per year per pupil enrolled
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
Payment of your water charges bill can be paid in any of the Public Services Offices of Donegal County Council & at Lifford HQ. Cheques & postal orders will also be accepted by post. You can also pay your bill in your local bank or post office. Payment can also be made to your local Revenue Collector.
The Council are encouraging customers to pay by direct debit. Please contact your local office if you wish to receive further information on this option.
The Council are currently investigating the option of an on line payment option and further details will be given when this is available.
Charter of Service
Donegal County Council has developed a comprehensive Charter of Service. Please click on the attached link to download a copy of the Charter.