Water connections survey underway

CLARE County Council has commenced a county-wide pre-installation survey of an estimated 31,000 domestic water connections ahead of the Government’s introduction of water charges, expected in 2014.
Any householder with connections to group water schemes or properties served by private wells will not be affected by this work.

The survey 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 beginning 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 the plan to charge home-owners for water usage. 

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 said there will be no interruption to the water supply and no digging or excavation will be carried out.

“As a result of the decision by Government to commence a project of meter installation in domestic premises, the 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 Carmel Greene of the Council’s 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 boundary boxes and 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 assessments. Surveyors will carry official council photo identification and will be able to present a supervisor’s telephone number for verification, if any householder is in doubt about the identity of a person  claiming to be from the council.

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.

Further information relating to the 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), or the setting up and role of Irish Water, should be directed to the Irish Water helpline on 1850 278 278.