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."

 

Fianna Fáil would reintroduce water charges, admits Cowen

By Elaine Loughlin, political reporter

Fianna Fáil has today confirmed it would reintroduce water charges down the line if elected to Government.

Although the party have committed to abolishing Irish Water, environment spokesman Barry Cowen said there would be a return to water charges in a number of years.

Mr Cowen said: “We want to abolish Irish water, we want to invest in a water structure and we will invest more than is presently being invested by the existing regime".

He said road tax and local authority funds went towards funding the establishment of a “gold-plated super quango” which is not delivering on the ground.

“But yes, we accept that if you have a system that is fit for purpose, if you have system where everybody gets based on quality, based on delivery, based on need and based on leakage, if you can reach the targets then yes, there is a system whereby people can make their contribution over and above taxation.”

He said this contribution would be minimal and it would take “at least 10 years” before the water system would be up to an adequate level.

“It will be over taxation, it will be in the region of €50 or €100, I don’t know,” Mr Cowen said.

“But it will be for a Government at that time to decide on that. But only when the system is fit for purpose, only when the network is as it should be across the State.”

He said the plan would involve “abolition of Irish Water as it currently stands”.

Under Fianna Fáil’s proposals, 100 of the 700 staff currently working with Irish Water would be retained, while the remaining employees would be redeployment within local authorities or would be offered redundancies.

Speaking at Fianna Fáil’s headquarters this morning, Mr Cowen said his party would prioritise spending on services ahead of reducing taxes if the economy does not grow as quickly as is forecast.

Mr Cowen said: “We are the only party that has said in the event of the projected growth that is being talked about by all parties not materialising, that we will prioritise services over taxation.

“We do not want to see the better off becoming even better off while 1,700 children are still in emergency accommodation.

“There is a wide suite of measures that we would want to implement in Government, including the abolition of Irish Water.”

Mr Cowen said they have 71 candidates and they would be going out to try to win all of these seats.

Right2Water campaign accused of major u-turn →

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 - 05:32 pm

The Right2Water campaign have been accused of doing a major u-turn after it said that those who abuse or waste water should face charges, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor.
The concession by the group, which has been vehemently opposed to water charges, was seen as a major climbdown by the Government.
Housing Minister Simon Coveney, responding to an Irish Examiner online report of the comments, described the u-turn as a “interesting development”.
Addressing the Dáil's new Water committee, representatives of the Right2Water group agreed that charges should apply in cases where people use excessive amounts of water.
Under questioning from Fianna Fáil's Barry Cowen, Stevie Fitzpatrick and David Gibney were pressed about previous comments from Brendan Ogle, the high-profile spokesman for the Right2Water campaign.

David Gibney

“Mr Ogle, like Mr Gibney, speaks for the Right2Water movement. He was asked specifically if he opposed charging people for excessive use and he said he was not. Does the Right2Water movement share that viewpoint?,” Mr Cowen asked.

Mr Fitzpatrick responded “It is the viewpoint”.

“If this committee was in a position to agree a process by which people who use excessive amounts, in the opinion of this committee, were charged, is Right2Water happy with that?” asked Mr Cowen.

“Yes,” was the response from Mr Fitzpatrick.

Mr Cowen asked at what level did the witnesses think was appropriate to consider excessive.

“Let us say the Minister said 123 litres a day was acceptable and we suggested the limit should be two or three times that amount and recommended a swimming pool take for beyond that amount. How would the witnesses penalise people who use more than that amount of water?” he asked.

Mr Gibney responded: “In terms of swimming pools, I live in a community that does not have a swimming pool and I do not know anyone who owns a swimming pool.

“Right2Water is not opposed to the Government introducing a swimming pool tax.

“There might be a provision in terms of commercial water charges and taxes. If we want to address waste then let us address areas where water is wasted.

“As much as 41% of water is lost through leaks.”

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Cowen, said the statement by the Right2Water spokespeople was “truly significant”.

Barry Cowan

Mr Gibney said the Government has given €2.7bn in tax cuts in recent years while funding for water services has been cut.

“If you want to fund water properly, stop giving away tax cuts, so let's address the core issue,” he said.

Mr Gibney questioned the Government's strategy of reducing the Universal Social Charge and he singled out Bank of Ireland boss Richie Boucher as to how much he pays.

“Richie Boucher, who works for Bank of Ireland, pays €63,000 in USC because he is a high earner. That is equivalent to a salary for two nurses,” Mr Gibney said.

Committee chairman Padraig O Ceidigh told Mr Gibney it was not appropriate to name individuals like that.

Mr Gibney was forced to apologise.

Fine Gael's Martin Heydon accused Mr Gibney of being opposed to cutting taxes for ordinary workers.

He said that 6% of the highest earners in this country pay 49% of the income tax and USC, which is a fairly substantial figure.

“They are also the key people who drive business and economic activity in this country,” said Mr Heydon.

“I am surprised that Mr Gibney is opposed to cuts in income tax for ordinary workers,” he added.

Source: Irish Examiner Feb 21 2017