Time for a stormwater tax

Sir, – Climate change is now an accepted fact. If recent weather in Dublin and Kerry is any indicator, we can expect more intense rainfall as part of this change, along with associated pluvial flooding, which occurs when the amount of rainfall exceeds the capacity of urban storm water drainage systems or the ground to absorb it..

Surely now is therefore an opportune time to start incentivising builders and householders to add capacity for absorbing rainfall and not allowing it to run straight off into inundated drainage systems?

Countries such as Germany and Italy and some US states have implemented a “stormwater fee”. This is a levy based on the amount of impervious surface area on your property. More hard concrete or tiled surfaces mean a higher levy, while lawns, flower beds and rain-water storage systems lower it.

The revenue collected could be used by local authorities to install sustainable drainage systems, or improve current infrastructure and maintenance of same. – Is mise,