Finance
Non Domestic Water Charges
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary of Water Charges for 2011
Who must pay water charges?
How much do domestic water services cost?
Who bills for non-domestic water?
How is it charged?
Who decides how much I pay?
How will I benefit from a water meter?
Where are water meters installed?
How do I read my water meter?
If there is leak – who is responsible?
What happens if there is a business within a home?
How often will I receive my bill?
Who do I contact if I have a query with my bill?
How can I pay my water charges?
Who do I contact if I have problems with my water or wastewater services?
Summary of Water Charges for 2012
| Charge Description | Water only | Waste-water only | Water & Waste-water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metered Water/Wastewater services - per cubic metre | €1.11 | €1.17 | €2.28 |
| Metered Mixed Supplies | General Domestic Allowance per residential unit:
|
||
| Standing Charge – per four month bill | Up to 1” or 25mm | €53 | |
| Up to 2” or 50mm | €95 | ||
| Up to 4” or 100mm | €195 | ||
| Up to 6” or 150mm | €250 | ||
| Up to 8” or 200mm | €330 | ||
| Up to 10” or 250mm | €495 | ||
| Special Read Charge | €150 | ||
(Water charges will be based on metered quantities at the unit rates shown in the table above, plus Annual Standing Charge. Fixed or estimated charges on some customers may apply where metering problems arise.)
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All non-domestic users of the water service must pay water charges.
Under the Water Pricing policy, government funding is provided to local authorities for domestic water services only. Domestic water is very strictly defined to mean water for ordinary household purposes within a residential situation.
There is a specific requirement on local authorities to meter and charge for all non-domestic water supplied and there is no discretion for exceptions because there is no other source of funding. As is the case with other utilities, there is no option to waive water charges. However, unlike private utility suppliers, no profit may be made on the service.
It is also hoped that consumers will be conscious of the water they use and will try and conserve water which is a valuable and finite resource. A lot of water is wasted through taps not being turned off when not in use and through leakages in taps and pipes. Charging by volume is in accordance with the application of the “Polluter Pays” Principle and the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).
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How much do domestic water services cost?
In 2011, the average cost of water supply to each residential unit is approximately €311. This is fully funded by central government. There is no longer a water services element in commercial rates.
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Who bills for non-domestic water?
The relevant Local Authority bills for non-domestic water. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will bill for its area.
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There is an annual standing charge for the availability of the service plus a volume charge based on the volume of water used.
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The charge for water supply and for wastewaster collection and treatment is based on the actual cost of providing the service. Water supplies are metered to the maximum practicable extent and bills are based on this information.
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How will I benefit from a water meter?
Water charges are now based on an annual standing charge plus a charge based on the volume used - the less water used, the less you pay. The metering system provides information regarding water usage and will alert the customers and Local Authorities to possible leaks. It may be worthwhile for customers to examine current water usage with a view to economising and conserving water where possible - further advice is available online at www.taptips.ie/at-work.htm . Commercial rates no longer contribute to water services funding.
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Where are water meters installed?
In the majority of cases the meters and meter reading equipment is located externally and as close to the property boundary as possible. However in some cases, due to services congestion or limited space, meters have to be installed internally within the premises.
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Information on Reading your Water Meter 
PDF 404 KB
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If there is leak – who is responsible?
The customer is responsible for all leaks downstream of the meter; responsibility extends to payment for all water measured by the meter and location and repair of leaks.
In the majority of circumstances, the council is responsible for leaks upstream or at the customer’s meter. The exception is where it has been necessary to install a meter within a customers premises. In this case, the customer is responsible for leaks upstream of the meter as far as the premises boundary or stopcock in the public area.
In the exceptional circumstance where the meter to customer pipe junction is leaking downstream of the meter, the council may be responsible for the repair of the leak and attributable water usage. Where there is reason to suspect that this is the case, the council will excavate to inspect this junction on payment of a deposit of €750. This deposit and water usage attributable to the leak will be refunded or credited against water charges only where the joint is found to be leaking. Where the connection pipe from the meter to the customer boundary is found to be leaking, the responsibility for water usage rests with the customer as above but the repair will be carried out by the council on the customer’s behalf, the repair cost being set against the deposit.
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What happens if there is a business within a home?
If it is not practicable to separately meter the non-domestic usage, a domestic allowance will be applied and deducted from the metered volume of water supplied.
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How often will I receive my bill?
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council issues three bills a year.
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Who do I contact if I have a query with my bill?
You should contact Water Charges section, Finance Department, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin or by the following methods:
Phone: (01) 204 7074
FAX: (01) 280 5581
e-mail: watercharges@dlrcoco.ie
website: www.dlrcoco.ie
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How can I pay my water charges?
You can pay your water charges by the following methods
By Bank Giro transfer
A Bank Giro will be attached to your bill.
By Post
Cheques, Postal Orders or Money Orders
In person
At the Council’s Offices by cheque.
Cash is not accepted at the Council's offices in County Hall or Dundrum. Also, cash should not be sent through the post.
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Who do I contact if I have problems with my water or wastewater services?
| To contact | Service / Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Charges Section | Queries on bills or other aspects of water charges (Note that general information on water charges is available at www.dlrcoco.ie) | Phone: (01) 2047074 |
| Water Supply Operations - Supply, maintenance, bursts, etc. | ||
| West of County - Sandyford Depot Phone: (01) 2955063 |
Braemor, Ballychorus, Ballyogan, Barnacullia, Churchtown (West), Clonard, Corke Abbey, Falls Road, Ferndale Road, Glencullen, Grange Road, Kiltiernan, Landscape, Leopardstown Heights, Marlay. Moreen, New Vale, Nutgrove. Parc na Silla, Pine Valley, Quinns Road, Sandyford Ind. Est., Sandyford, Shanganagh (South), Shankill, Stepaside, Stillorgan Ind. Park Est., Thornhill Road, Woodbrook Glen | |
| East of Country - Georges Street Depot. Phone: (01) 2054700 |
Booterstown, Ballybrack, Blackrock, Dalkey, Dún Laoghaire, Glasthule, Killiney, Loughlinstown, Monkstown, Sallynoggin, Sandycove, Shanganagh (North), Trimblestown | |
| Centre of County – Brewery Road Depot. Phone: (01) 2884650 |
Belfield, Ballinteer, Cabinteeley, Churchtown (East only), Clonskeagh (South only), Cornelscourt, Deansgrange, Dundrum, Galloping Green, Goatstown, Leopardstown (except Heights), Mount Merrion, Rochestown Avenue, Stillorgan, Windy Arbour | |
| Drainage Operations - Main sewer maintenance, etc. | ||
| East of County – Georges Place Depot. Phone: (01) 2054700 |
Booterstown, Ballybrack, Blackrock, Dalkey, Dún Laoghaire, Glasthule, Killiney, Loughlinstown, Monkstown, Sallynoggin, Sandycove, Shanganagh (North), Trimblestown | |
| Rest of County - Sandyford depot Phone: (01) 2955124 |
All Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council areas other than those above | |
| Out-of-Hours - Water & Drainage - All areas - (01) 677 8844 | ||