Irish Republic set for water charges return

Up to 70,000 households in the Irish Republic could face water charges of up to €500 from next year if Irish Water gets the go-ahead to charge customers who waste water.

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities is due to decide soon on a proposal from Irish Water to charge households whose water consumption is above a fixed threshold set at 1.7 times the average household use of 345 litres a day.

If the regulator consents to the plan, it will mean the limited reintroduction of water charges for homes, three years after their suspension because of widespread political and popular opposition.

In its initial response to the utility proposal, the regulator indicated broad support for the plan.