The pressure is on

Like Germany and the UK, Ireland's population must now pay for its water usage.

Until today, the €1 billion annual cost of water provision was met by the Exchequer. The new water charge, however, will fund this work into the future.

According to Irish Water, 1,000 litres of water will cost €4.88 for metered homes in need of both waste and drinking water services. If you require just one of these services, however, the rate is halved to €2.44.

While water meters have been installed in 400,000 homes to date, all 1.4 million customers of Irish Water will pay an assessed charge for the next nine months.

This charge will be based on the number of people in your household with costs beginning at €176 for a single-adult home. €102 is added for each additional adult while children go free.

If your house is already metered, however, and shows that you used less water than paid for via the assessed charge, Irish Water will give you a rebate.

While the focus is naturally on the cost of water, it should be noted that each household will receive an annual allowance of 31,000 litres of water with an additional 21,000 litres per child under the age of 18.

It might sound like a lot, but bear in mind that a typical power shower uses 80 litres of water per shower. Switching to a regular electric shower, however, will cut your water usage by 50 per cent to 40 litres per shower.

The average toilet flush, meanwhile, uses 10 litres of water.

Homeowners and tenants can expect to receive their first bill in early January – an already difficult time for many households.

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