Increase in Mayo commercial water rates slammed as 'excessive and badly timed'

Mayo Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers has raised concerns over the increase in water and waste-water charges across the country following letters sent to small business and farmers from Irish Water.

She stated: “It has been brought to my attention by a number of small businesses and farmers in Mayo that Irish Water have issued notices of increases to water and waste water charges.

"These increases are significant and from cases I am dealing with, represent an almost doubling of charges.

"One farmer showed me the letter he received from Irish water and his current charge will increase from €199 annually to €429 this October which in my view is a colossal increase.

“I am especially concerned for small businesses who are still dealing with Covid-19 restrictions and trying to keep their businesses afloat.

"Many have not yet reopened and some are only partially open.

"There will be a considerable period of recovery for small businesses and the proposed increases in charges couldn’t be coming at a worst time.

“After the year and a half that both the agricultural and hospitality sectors have had, there needs to be more flexibility regarding the increase in water and wastewater charges for farms and small businesses in the coming years.

"The timing of these letters is incredibly bad and the price increases must be reconsidered by Irish Water in light of the ovid-19 crisis.

"I will be raising this issue directly with the minister.”