Water Charging information leaflet for new and existing customers
Kilkenny County Council
New and existing non-domestic customers of water and wastewater services
Introduction:
The Governments National Water Pricing Policy Framework requires the charging by Local Authorities of non-domestic consumers of water and wastewater services for the cost of providing these services. This is in keeping with the application of the "Polluter Pays Principle".
Will domestic properties be charged?
The Water Pricing Policy is explicit in requiring that the cost of domestic water services is not recovered from domestic consumers i.e ordinary households and family homes will not be affected.
Who are non-domestic consumers?
Examples include the following - farms, offices, factories, schools, shops, sports clubs, restaurants, public houses, and commercial activities within domestic residences, etc.
In order that charges are applied in a fair, transparent and equitable manner, meters will be installed on all non-domestic connections. The metering of all non-domestic consumers will allow for usage based water charges, therefore, the less water you use, the less you pay.
Non-domestic non-metered consumers of water services will be charged in the interim period a fixed charge for water and also wastewater (if connected to public sewer) until metering is completed. Fixed water charge rates are agreed at Annual Budget meeting and will be applied accordingly. The fixed wastewater charge will be applied based on the Rateable Valuation of the premises. Please see table
Rate ValuationFixed Charge
Valuation <50 €100
Valuation between 50-200 €200
Valuation > 200 €300
When will metering commence?
Kilkenny County Council is the water services authority for Kilkenny City and County and will commence metering all new non-domestic water connections in 2008 with an expected completion date of October 2008. Local authorities are arranging with the contractor that customers are notified in advance of meter installation on their water supply. Many existing metered connections may also be replaced in the course of this work.
Many existing non-domestic consumers are already charged for water supply, with either a metered or fixed charge. By 2009, all non-domestic consumers will be charged a metered charge for water and also wastewater, where applicable.
Schools: Please see section on schools overleaf.
How will charges be calculated when metering is complete?
When metering is completed, water charges will be based on actual consumption. The less water you use, the less you pay. The charge for wastewater will be based on the
'water in - water out' principle i.e the volume of wastewater will be deemed to be equal to the volume of water supplied to the premises. If you have a waterconnection,
but are not connected to thepublic sewer, water charges will continue to be chargedon a consumption basis, but the wastewatercharge will not apply.
Where the mains supply serve both domestic and non-domestic usage, the Council will identify those non-domestic connections that have a domestic component of water and/or wastewater use on their connection e.g. where an apartment is located above a shop.
In those cases, a domestic allowance will be applied and deducted from the water and the wastewater charge on the bill.
Water Conservation:
Metering will be instrumental in helping source leaks and conserve water levels. You are responsible for, and should investigate and correct, any problems or leaks in your plumbing that may affect water consumption charges. The quantity of water used and recorded on the meter will be charged for in full. Kilkenny County Council are commencing an Information Campaign on local radio station -K.C.L.R which will provide tips and advise to consumers on how to conserve water in their own day to day activities.
Who do I contact if I have a query?
Kilkenny County Council will be happy to deal with any queries you may have. For queries in relation to Metering, please contact the Metering Project Office on 056-7794333. Queries on water charging should be directed to Linda Gibbons, Water Services, Kilkenny County Council, John St, Kilkenny or by email at water.services@kilkennycoco.ie. If you would prefer to contact us by phone, the general enquiries number is 056-7794050.
2008 Fixed Water Supply Charges
- Non-metered commercial premises inc B&B's = €306
- Non-metered commercial premises connected to Group Scheme = €237
- Drinking Trough on land = €258
- Drinking Trough and outside taps connected to group supply = €196
Water Charges for Primary/Secondary Schools & Colleges
Schools will be charged a fixed rate for water services until 2010 in accordance with Government Policy. A meter will be installed for monitoring purposes until 2010. From 2010, a metered charge based on consumption will apply.
2008 School Fixed Charge rates
€2.63 per pupil for connection to public
water supply
€3.50 per pupil for water & wastewater
supply.
2008 Metered Water Supply Charges
Water
Metered Charge per 1,000 gallons €4.14
Metered Charge per m3 €0.91c
Wastewater:
Metered Charge per 1000 gallons €7.36
Metered Charge per m3 €1.62
The water & wastewater metered charges do not represent the full economic cost incurred by Kilkenny County Council in the provision of water services. The full cost of provision of these services will be introduced in 2009.
Domestic Allowance
Metered Charge = Equivalent to 40,000 gallons per annum.
Water = €165.60 per annum.
Wastewater = €294.40 per annum
Fixed Charge
Water - €36 per annum
Wastewater = €36 per annum
2008 Meter Rental Charges(Full Year)
Size of Meter€
½" €38
¾" €45
1" €45
1½" €58
2" €97
3" €115
4" €138
