Water Charges Exemptions

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Questions (176)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

176. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will instruct Irish Water to waive all wastewater charges for the households in the locations listed in Appendix B of the Environmental Protection Agency’s report Focus on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2012 that have no treatment or preliminary treatment only, including ten urban areas in County Cork, seven in County Donegal, five in County Clare, four in County Galway and Arklow in County Wicklow, until an operational sewer system and-or treatment plants have been delivered in these areas by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37301/14]

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Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water is responsible for public water services and can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. If a customer is in receipt of a wastewater disposal service from Irish Water, they will be charged accordingly.

The Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 provide for the authorisation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of discharges from waste water treatment plants that are released to all types of receiving waters. In the case of discharges from smaller sewage systems, certificates are issued instead of licences. The licences stipulate conditions and remedial actions to be taken to ensure compliance with standards for various substances and conformity with obligations under a number of EU environmental Directives. The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 provided for the transfer of the licences and certificates issued to water services authorities to Irish Water and Irish Water is now required to meet any conditions and to carry out remedial actions required therein.