Sir, – Our household will happily pay for water. Here’s why.
With rights, come responsibilities. Water is a right, yes, but for me to exercise that right, others must uphold it. And for managing such a crucial resource, people must be paid.
Current investment is not delivering an acceptable level of supply or service. More money must be invested, and a usage-based system is fairest, with proven success elsewhere.
Like countries the world over, Ireland is seeing steady migration to urban areas, particularly in the east, placing huge pressure on water supplies. With a growing population and growing demand, this pressure cannot be met under the current creaking, leaking system.
Political affiliations aside, this Government should be commended for doing what most governments refuse to do – to plan and make provision for the long term.
Decades of (until recently) poor planning have left Ireland with sprawling towns and cities that are costly to service. Simply put, water has to travel farther here than in most countries with a similar-sized population. That means more pipes, more labour, and therefore more costs. This will change only when people accept denser living patterns.
People in rural areas with their own wells currently pay for water through taxes, which is unfair. A usage-based system will rectify this.
I would, however, argue in favour of Irish Water always remaining in public ownership, but with appropriate independent oversight.
Finally, I’ve travelled extensively in south Asia, sometimes in poor areas. To see families bathing in and cooking with the same water in which raw sewage lies, just metres away, is humbling and distressing. We are fortunate to have a water service that in most cases (boil notices aside) delivers drinkable water, literally on tap. It will be my privilege to pay for that service. – Yours, etc,
GILLIAN FALLON,
Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.