Govt begins consultation process on water reforms
A six-week public consultation on the Government's new reforms to the water sector will begin today.
Submissions can be made through the Department of the Environment website.
The Government hopes to establish a new State body called "Irish Water" which will take over the responsibility for the delivery of water services from local authorities.
Water meters will be installed in all homes and businesses this year and people will have to start paying for their water from 2014.
However, the Environment Minister Phil Hogan said in the long term huge savings are to be made.
Mr Hogan also said thousands of jobs will be created as a result of the changes.
