Engineers call for introduction of water charges
29/06/2004 - 07:33:13The Institution of Engineers in Ireland (IEI) has called for the introduction of domestic water charges as a means of encouraging the conservation of water.
This would improve water-charging mechanisms for the country's one million plus domestic and 160,000 non-domestic water customers, the IEI said.
In a submission to the Government, the institution has also recommended the establishment of a water services regulator.
IEI director Paddy Purcell claimed such moves were needed to reduce water usage and promote awareness of the need for conservation.
“As climate change progresses, there is going to be pressure on water resources and there is need to bring down our overall usage of water, which in Ireland is very high,” he said.
Domestic daily consumption of water here is 160 litres per customer, compared to 135 litres in England and Wales, and 115 litres in other European countries. Water usage and leakage in Ireland is also greater than in the UK or elsewhere in Europe.
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