Water meters and charges would pauperise families & will be resisted

The government statement that householders would have to pay for the
installation of water meters to their own homes is outrageous.

“The idea that householders would have to pay hundreds of euros for a meter
which would then lead them to be charged hundreds of euros more each year
for an essential resource really shows how removed this government has
become,” said Cllr Ruth Coppinger of the CAHWT.

“Paying for water meters and water would tip many families into poverty
after four years of austerity. Profiteering from water has been disastrous
worldwide and would cause further social inequality.”

“The way to deal with conserving water is not through meters but through
putting thousands of people back to work in repairing and replacing the
national pipe network to tackle the 40- 50% unaccounted for leakage rate
nationally.”

“Water consumption in Dublin for example is virtually identical to that of
useage in Scotland and England where charges and privatisation have applied
for years. Meters have not been shown to reduce useage in the long term.”

“Thousands of engineers, plumbers and technicans could be taken off the
dole queues if the investment was made in upgrading the water network.
Local authorities which have reduced their unaccounted for water rate to
25% – the lowest rate -have done so with this type of investment. Dual
flush toilets would further reduce water use.”

“The CAHWT will campaign with communities to resist and boycott water
taxes. The 50% boycott of the household tax — despite intimidation —
shows how ordinary people have reached tipping point and will resist
imposition of water charges,” said Cllr Coppinger.