Do Water Meters Reduce Domestic Consumption?

This 2010 study written by Dr Chad Staddon, University of the West of England, Bristol, England,  asking whether water metering reduces domestic water consumption is a very apt topic in light of today's 10/10 split decision of the Oireachtas Select Committee on the Funding of Domestic Water Services. 

In what was a controversial and heated conclusion meeting,  the Oireachtas Committee failed to reach agreement.  On the one side those favouring charges for excessive use which by the way would necessitate metering,  were 6 Fine Gael members along with Noel Grealish, Ind, Jan O'Sullivan, Lab, Grace O'Sullivan, GP, and Chairman Pádraig O Céidigh.  On the other side voting to abolish water charges and metering were 5 Fianna Fáil, 2 Sinn Féin members along with Paul Murphy, AAA-PBP, Thomas Pringle, Ind,  and Seamus Healy, WUAG.

Earlier in the day, prior to what was supposed to be a final meeting of the Oireachtas Committee,   Simon Coveney, Housing Minister, made a statement saying that he would not introduce legislation to permanently end charges citing EU 'severe fines' and advice from the Attorney General.  The minister's statement angered opposition political parties opposed to water charges and metering.  Fianna Fáil claimed that Mr Coveney was breaking a'confidence and supply' arrangement which ensures the minority Government's survival.   According to RTE News both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are to table position papers by Friday and the Oireachtas Committee will meet again next Tuesday.

 

Do Water Meters Reduce Domestic Consumption?: a summary of available literature

Study's Abstract
"At the present time 30% of UK households nationwide are on water meters and household consumption stands at approximately 150 litres/person/day (lpd), slightly more than Western European averages, but significantly less than North American or even Australian levels.  Largely out of concern for the long-term effects of climate change on water supply, but also out of the notion that metering is “the fairest way to pay”, the UK government is currently trying to build a consensus around the idea of legislating compulsory metering for the nation’s 28 million households. However, there is much confusion as to the actual objectives to be served by such a policy, estimated to cost in excess of £3 billion. This paper presents the best available current research on water metering around the world, with a special emphasis on European, North American and Commonwealth comparator nations. In summary, the research suggests that there is little evidence that compulsory universal metering can achieve either the water conservation or social equity goals articulated by the government. The author concludes that policymakers need to think much more carefully about metering technologies and the purposes they are intended to serve."

 

Innisfail British Columbia - Faulty Water meters & Wastewater Bills

This article concerns a resident in Innisfail, British Columbia, Canadawho has problems with crippling bills not only for water but also for wastewater.  Old faulty meters and the cost for replacement and wastewater charges may be something the present Oireachtas Committee on Domestic Water Charges should be considering. 

Water meter anger resurfaces

Local realtor battling town hall over recent bill

Eva Austin inspects a water meter. The local realtor has heard several complaints about high water bills in recent months and is concerned over water meter issues with the town.

INNISFAIL – The alarm has been raised again over water bill issues in the community.

However, Heather Whymark, director of corporate services for the Town of Innisfail, says the challenges are partly due to the meter conversion that was implemented in the town between 2014 and 2016.

“Quite a few of the meters were not working properly. They shut down, they crashed, that’s what happens to (old) meters,” said Whymark. “When the new meters started going in, people started getting bills that they thought were atrocious. Their water meter hadn’t been working and they hadn’t been paying for the water they’d been using probably for five years.”

“They started getting bills of consumption and that’s when everyone started saying the town was overbilling them.”

Jerry Rochette is one Innisfail resident that has had problems with water bills in the past.

“When you know you don’t have a leak and they’re charging you for water going out. How can that be, when no water has come in because no one is living there?” said Rochette, referring to a previously vacant property. “It happened just about every bill.

“I have had high water bills,” he added.

The water bill issue in Innisfail has been in the media spotlight for the last couple of years.

Eva Austin is a local realtor who is bringing the issue to light once again after she was charged more than $2,100 for two water bills last November and December.

Like Rochette, Austin’s issue is with a vacant house. The house has been vacant since June 2016 and between then and this past Nov. 3 there was no usage in water or sewer, noted Austin. It then jumped to 20,000 to 21,000 litres a day until Nov. 10.

Austin is certain there is a problem with the meter itself.

“The meter is not accurate and I’m not taking that old meter back,” said Austin. “I’m totally dumbfounded about it.”

The town has disputed Austin’s claims, telling her she either had a broken line, a running toilet or someone was stealing her water.

They did agree to sit down and talk with Austin on Jan. 23 to go over her recent water bills.

Austin asked for a new meter, which the town agreed to. The town did two tests on her old meter and each passed, noted Whymark, adding the new system in place is automated.

One other area to note is the recent increase in sewer costs, said Whymark. The town now charges $2.30 per cubic metre for water and $3.40 for sewer.

The sewer impact on a water bill is not always noticed, she added.

“Water really isn’t what’s beating your bills to death. It’s the sewer (charges),” said Whymark, noting she wants the public to understand the importance of checking for leaky pipes, running toilets and related items.

Whymark said they have installed a new water meter at Austin’s property and will monitor it for the next three months for any issues.

If Austin does not have a problem during that time, she will be fully reimbursed, said Whymark.

Austin said she inquired about a possible warning system to alert residents to high usage, and she also asked about a test or an audit on the automated system.

“I do an audit every year when I do budget,” said Whymark. “If that consumption was way out of whack compared to what we pay (the commission) then yes, I’d say the system is (faulty).”

Austin said she was pleased the town will monitor the new meter.

“That’s very good if they do that. Then we can prove that there is nothing running in the house,” said Austin. “It’s not about me. To me, it’s an issue in the town. Many people are fighting their water bills.”

Source: Innisfail Province Jan 31 2017

Regulator says Irish Water should not proceed with metering

Commission for Energy Regulation also proposes financial incentives for homeowners

by Sarah Bardon

So far 58% of households have had meters put in place but several hundred thousand properties remain to be linked

Irish Water should stop installing water meters in homes, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has declared, warning that the cost of completion will cripple efforts to improve water quality and supply.

In a submission to an Oireachtas committee which is investigating options, the CER – Ireland’s water regulator – said finishing the programme was not a priority.

So far 58 per cent of households have had meters put in place – the installation efforts have been strongly opposed in some places – but several hundred thousand properties remain to be linked. No money has been put in Irish Water’s 2017/18 capital budget to finish the work.

“If a decision was taken to complete further metering then either significant additional funding would have to be made available or a significant level of necessary capital expenditure would have to be deferred from other priorities for water investment for the time period 2017-2018,” the CER.

CER also proposes that householders should be given the option of installing a meter which would entitle them to a tax rebate if they use less water than the average. Grants should be given to people who invest in water-saving measures, while it also proposes that the installation of meters in new houses and estates should be mandatory.

Expert commission

The regulator made the submission to the newly-established Oireachtas committee examining the future of water charges. The committee was established last year to consider a report by an expert commission.

This commission proposed water be funded by general taxation and each household be given an average allowance to be determined by the CER.

The regulator says it will consult publicly before deciding on allowances and and penalties for excessive usage.

In a separate submission, Irish Water said €13 billion must be invested in Ireland’s water and waste-water services to ensure safe drinking water and proper sewage treatment.

Irish Water said it does not believe water services should be funded wholly or largely through the Exchequer since this would put investment in competition with public spending demands. It said guaranteed funding was needed.

“Shortfall in funding tends to disproportionately affect the performance of the system since fixed costs [staff, chemicals, and energy] must be met, so that any shortfalls have a direct and rapid impact on the condition of the assets and the operation of the service.”

Legislation

If funding is to come from general taxation then legislation will be needed to ensure that income is guaranteed. The utility has required additional funding from the Exchequer since water charges were suspended.

Irish Water confirmed that €714 million would be needed this year – the annual €475 million subvention plus €239 million replacement revenue in lieu of previous domestic billable income.

The Oireachtas committee will meet Thursday to hear from Irish Water, the CER and officials from the Department of Housing.

Source: Irish Times, Jan 11 2017