Irish Water accused of unfair billing of farmer customers

IRISH Water have been taken to task for the 'unfair decision' in how they intend billing the farming community for water.

With a standing charge proposed on every meter, farmers with fragmented holdings and hence multiple meters face big bills.

Councillor Patsy O'Brien highlighted a case of one farmer with 13 connections who, he said, could expect to pay €1,300 before ever turning on a tap.

The issue was raised at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council where Councillor John O'Hara tabled a notice of motion calling on Irish Water to reverse its 'unfair decision' in relation to how farmers are billed.

Letters, he said, had issued asking farmers to put a meter on every connection they have, which they did. They were to be charged for one meter and then for every cubic meter of water used.

That, he said, has changed and from his reading of it, it was now intended to put a charge on every meter.

Councillor O'Hara wanted the motion to go to the minister and he wanted the head of Irish Water to come down and talk to them.

Councillor O'Brien said the local authority had taken over a lot of water schemes and they fought vigorously to have just one meter charged. If Irish Water were going to change that they would have a fight on their hands.

Farmer have fragmented holdings and he highlighted the case above, warning: “Let them not attempt to put a charge on every meter.”

Everyone was prepared to pay, but not on every meter.

Councillor Damien Ryan said there needed to be a charging system in place but it needed to be fair and it needed to be rolled out on a customer basis where you pay one charge and then for your consumption.

Kilmeena-based Councillor John O'Malley said everyone should pay for water but farmers were paying exorbitant amounts. He himself had to sink a well as he was paying €1,500 a year for water.

Farmers, he said, had fenced off the rivers and connected to water schemes. However, they would be opening up the fences again to let cattle in to drink, he warned.

The councillor said he receives calls every day about Irish Water. But if you want to get on to them, it's easier to get through to the White House in Washington DC.

Someone from Irish Water should come in and answer their questions.

Councillor Sean Carey also supported the motion, saying farmers are concerned about the standing charge on every meter.