Non-domestic water charges and metering

Non-domestic water supply
Courtesy of water.ie

In Ireland, users of non-domestic water services must pay a charge to local authorities. This charge is based on the amount of water consumed and is monitored through a metering system, and does not include any profit for the local authorities. Irish Water For Business will deal with all queries relating to non-domestic water supply, water quality, wastewater services and water connections, although the local authority will remain the contact point for billing, payment and general account queries. 

Under the Water Pricing Policy, the local authorities identify and meter all non-domestic users of their water services. This includes businesses, industry, agriculture, hotels and other accommodation, educational or sports facilities, as well as hospitals, community or charitable services. In many cases, the water charge to the local authority includes water supply, sewage collection and disposal. This is based on the “water in/water out” principal.

In cases where the installation of a water meter is not possible, local authorities may base the water service on a fixed charge. Metering water supplies and waste water discharges is provided for under Part 5 of the Water Services Act 2007. Further information on Water Charges and Metering is available on the website of the Department of the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and from the Citizens Information Board.