THE COMMISSION FOR Energy Regulation (CER) has decided on the level of discounts businesses will receive when paying water charges if their water is not fit for human consumption.

The body has approved Irish Water’s proposal that large water users (LWU, those who consume 50,000m³ or more annually) involved in the provision and manufacture of food or drink products will automatically receive a 40% discount.

All other LWUs will receive a default 5% discount to their water supply volumetric charge.

However, labour-intensive LWUs who believe a 5% discount may underestimate the appropriate discount reflecting water used for human consumption may request to be treated on a case-by-case basis according to the following formula:

CER CER

This decision applies to all LWUs subject to a boil water notice or a drinking water restriction notice from 1 October 2014.

Any discounts due to the customer from 1 October to when the customer is successfully migrated to Irish Water’s systems will be applied retrospectively once the transition is
complete or earlier if feasible.

Feedback

The CER held a six-week consultation public consultation on the issue in March and April of this year.

Its report includes some of the responses it received from interested parties.

One person said the current proposals make no provision for businesses in other
sectors that also manufacture products intended for human consumption, such as the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.

The CER said there currently isn’t enough information to add such businesses, but said it may consider doing so in the future.

Group water schemes 

Another respondent questioned why the document makes no reference to group water schemes as many would consume over 50,000m³ per year.

In relation to this, the CER said it will analyse the existing arrangements between such schemes and local authorities or Irish Water once it receives “full data migration of the tariff arrangements”.

The group said a number of aspects of these schemes, including the feasibility of appropriate discounts, will be considered later this year. Any discounts will be backdated to 1 October 2014.

Originally published: 16.56

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