Mandatory water rates a possibility

A new European Union directive on water quality could result in the Republic being compelled to introduce domestic water charges…

A new European Union directive on water quality could result in the Republic being compelled to introduce domestic water charges, the European Parliament was told yesterday. The directive, which addresses pollution in lakes, rivers and ground waters and reorganises all existing water directives, also contains a recommendation to consider "the need for recovery of costs" incurred in implementing a clean water policy.

During a debate in Strasbourg, Mr Jim Fitzsimons MEP (Leinster) said the move would be "politically impracticable from an Irish perspective, as it would be from the perspective of other EU states, including Portugal, Spain and Greece. It is also a taxation issue and presently under existing EU treaties such tax changes require the unanimous support of all EU governments."

The directive has been welcomed by the Green Party, which has called for an end to the release of hazardous substances in water.