One million householders at risk from ‘not up to scratch’ water quality, Minister says

About one million householders are at risk because of "not up to scratch" water quality, Minister for Environment Phil Hogan has told the Dáil.

He said about 80 waste water plants are in need of urgent remediation because they are subject to potential European Commission infringement proceedings.

“And there are people on boiled water notices and that’s the reason we’re establishing a commercial semi-state body in order to allow us to borrow money on the markets in order to double the amount of investment required and to spend €10 billion over the next 12 years in making sure we put things right” and to repair “the leaking system”.

The Government would be making a submission “shortly” to the regulator which would give the “full picture” in relation to water allowances and charges, the Minister said.

“Once the Government makes a decision shortly in relation to its submission on the free allowance affordability measures and all of the other issues.... that will be put out to public consultation,” he said.

His remarks follow the revelation by Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday that no discussion had taken place at its weekly Cabinet meeting about the water charges.

He also told Fianna Fail environment spokesman Barry Cowen that 200,000 households had been metered to date and 300,000 of 1.08 million homes would not be metered initially.

Mr Hogan insisted that €12 million and “not €80 million” had been spent on consultants for Irish Water as he revealed that a study had been commissioned on the options for metering and alternatives for water charges on non-metered properties.

Mr Cowen criticised the Minister for leaving it “so late” to realise there was a problem with non-metered households and that this was yet another cost. The Minister said this was an internal study.

The issue was raised during environment questions when Fianna Fail spokesman Barry Cowen sought details about the level of public subvention and free water allowances that would be put in place.

Mr Cowen also called for the public to be allowed to make submissions to the regulator and to give the regulator extra time to consider this, given the delay that had already taken place and that Irish Water itself did not adhere to the stated deadlines on submissions.

He highlighted the poor quality of water in many parts of the country, the amount of leakage and that “Irish Water has yet to publish a complete audit of the system throughout the country”.

Mr Hogan insisted the regulator would have adequate time for public consultation. He had already started that process on the design and structure of the tariff or charge.

Mr Cowen said that in the absence of the Government’s submission it was difficult for anyone to have a qualified submission.

He asked if Irish Water had made a submission and whether it would be made publicly available so as the public might be afforded an opportunity to ascertain the intentions of Irish Water.

The Minister said the authority had made its submission and was “in contact, in touch and engaged with” the regulator in relation to its cost structure, establishment costs and its future investment requirements.