Householders "won't pay upfront charge" for water meters
Hard-pressed householders will not have to pay upfront for the installation of water meters but will instead pay for the devices gradually by way of a 'standing charge', it has been revealed.
The charge, similar to the standing charges already paid on ESB or Bord Gáis bills. is likely to be in the region of €40 per year to cover the cost of installing and maintaining water meters, and does not include usage charges.
The National Pension Reserve Fund is to provide a €450m loan for the water metering programme, which will have to be paid back by the taxpayer over 20 years.
A new utility company called Irish Water will be set up on a transitional basis and the charge is to come into effect by 2014.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan will bring the proposals to Cabinet this morning and the process of installing the meters in over a million homes will begin this year.
The Coalition was accused of another "fiasco" after issuing a series of contradictory statements over the weekend on what costs householders would face.
In a bid to end the confusion yesterday, the Department of the Environment said householders would face "absolutely no upfront charge" for water meters or their installation.
