The alacrity with which the Government moved to defuse the issue of charging for water in "boil notice areas" reflected the sensitivity of the issue in Roscommon-South Leitrim, where a byelection will be held on October 10th. Affected householders will receive a 100 per cent discount on the water supply element of their bill. In addition, homes with septic tanks will not be liable for a wastewater disposal charge. Details are being finalised by the Commission for Energy Regulation and Irish Water may issue estimated bills next week.
Separation of the twin elements of the new charge will address genuine grievances involving quality of supply and equity. Those receiving contaminated water will not have to pay for it. And those maintaining septic tanks will be exempt from sewage charges. The announcement, however, is unlikely to satisfy those who believe services which appeared to be free in the past should remain so.
As the Dáil resumed after the summer break, Ministers signalled concessions. Fianna Fáil had tabled legislation to exempt affected homes from the charge and party leader Micheál Martin described it as "monstrous". Taoiseach Enda Kenny suggested careful usage to keep bills low and turning off taps while washing your teeth. It amounted to electioneering guff.
Currently 18,000 households are on "boil water" notices, many in the Roscommon -South Leitrim constituency. Some have not had safe reliable drinking water for up to four years. Chronic underinvestment in local purification facilities; a leaking network and pollution-prone sewage treatment plants all contributed. Regular boil water notices are a consequence of inadequate centralised funding and poor local management. Irish Water has prioritised installation of modern treatment plants in affected areas. But, for Government candidates seeking votes in Roscommon-South Leitrim and in Dublin South West, water charges represent bad news.