Clare County Council has commenced a countywide survey of an estimated 31,000 domestic water connections in Clare ahead of the Government’s introduction of water charges, which is expected in 2014.
The survey work is being carried out by Council staff on behalf of Irish Water, which is set to take over responsibility for the delivery of water services from local authorities at the commencement of next year. The installation of water meters in domestic premises, which is expected to get underway before the end of the year, is part of plans to charge home-owners for the water used.
Outlining the survey process, Clare County Council said surveyors will be carrying out a visual examination of the connection between the public water mains and householder’s water system. The Council advised there will be no interruption to the water supply and no digging or excavation will be carried out. It also confirmed that homes that are connected to a private water supply or Group Water Supply schemes will not be surveyed.
“As a result of the decision by government to commence a project of meter installation in domestic premises, Clare County Council is carrying out a survey of domestic water connections, in order to gather information to support the installation of water meters for domestic consumers,” explained Ms. Carmel Greene, Water Services Department.
She added: “The survey involves an employee of Clare County Council carrying out a visual examination of the service connection / stop-cock at each property on the public water network. This will determine, in advance, if your home is likely to be suitable for a meter to be installed and, if so, the degree of work required during the installation of the meter. The stopcocks are generally located under the footpath at the entrance to the driveway or gate of each home. Householders will be notified in advance by Irish Water of the installation of meters, which is estimated to commence in the coming months.”
Ms. Greene added that Council surveyors will not require access to a private property while conducting their assessment of water connections.
She continued: “The survey duration will be very short in most cases, and so the surveyor will not usually be outside a property for more than 5 minutes. If any person tries to gain access to a property or home claiming to be part of the water survey team, access should not be given and the Gardaí should be contacted immediately. Surveyors will carry official County Council photo identification and will be able to present a supervisor’s telephone number for verification.”
Further information relating to the water connections surveying process is available from www.clarecoco.ie or the Water Services Section of Clare County Council on 065-6846204. Queries relating to water metering (including policy, installation, charges, billing, or maintenance and operations), or the setting up and role of Irish Water, should be directed to the Irish Water helpline on 1850 278 278.
The survey work is being carried out by Council staff on behalf of Irish Water, which is set to take over responsibility for the delivery of water services from local authorities at the commencement of next year. The installation of water meters in domestic premises, which is expected to get underway before the end of the year, is part of plans to charge home-owners for the water used.
Outlining the survey process, Clare County Council said surveyors will be carrying out a visual examination of the connection between the public water mains and householder’s water system. The Council advised there will be no interruption to the water supply and no digging or excavation will be carried out. It also confirmed that homes that are connected to a private water supply or Group Water Supply schemes will not be surveyed.
“As a result of the decision by government to commence a project of meter installation in domestic premises, Clare County Council is carrying out a survey of domestic water connections, in order to gather information to support the installation of water meters for domestic consumers,” explained Ms. Carmel Greene, Water Services Department.
She added: “The survey involves an employee of Clare County Council carrying out a visual examination of the service connection / stop-cock at each property on the public water network. This will determine, in advance, if your home is likely to be suitable for a meter to be installed and, if so, the degree of work required during the installation of the meter. The stopcocks are generally located under the footpath at the entrance to the driveway or gate of each home. Householders will be notified in advance by Irish Water of the installation of meters, which is estimated to commence in the coming months.”
Ms. Greene added that Council surveyors will not require access to a private property while conducting their assessment of water connections.
She continued: “The survey duration will be very short in most cases, and so the surveyor will not usually be outside a property for more than 5 minutes. If any person tries to gain access to a property or home claiming to be part of the water survey team, access should not be given and the Gardaí should be contacted immediately. Surveyors will carry official County Council photo identification and will be able to present a supervisor’s telephone number for verification.”
Further information relating to the water connections surveying process is available from www.clarecoco.ie or the Water Services Section of Clare County Council on 065-6846204. Queries relating to water metering (including policy, installation, charges, billing, or maintenance and operations), or the setting up and role of Irish Water, should be directed to the Irish Water helpline on 1850 278 278.
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