A chara, – If I understand the latest proposals for water charges correctly, a single person living in a mansion with a swimming pool and a jacuzzi would pay less than a couple with several children living in a three-bed semi-detached house. If that’s correct, it would be a little hard to swallow, I’m afraid. – Is mise,
Rev PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.
Sir, – The latest drip-feed on likely water charges has been, as usual, devoid of debate. Should every resident get a reasonable amount of water free of charge? How much water is necessary, or excessive? How to structure the charges to incentivise both rich and poor to use water economically?
It is telling that Government politicians keep repeating that Dublin ran out of water last year. Dublin City Council turned off the taps, despite the supply meeting biological drinking water standards but only because cosmetic standards were not met. The water was coloured from minute peat particles, stirred up by storms. Yet it is practice elsewhere in the country to supply water which would make people sick. The motive? Vested interests will make a lot of money to pipe water from the Shannon.
Introduction of a progressive, affordable, way of charging for water, free for essential use, would incentivise everyone to conserve water, minimise the cost of a good, sustainable water service, and would improve fairness and equity. Alas, it seems that this Government has a different agenda. – Yours, etc,
CLAIRE WHEELER,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.