Uisce Éireann’s proposal to increase water charges, due to be introduced on October 1, has been criticised as being ‘unfair and excessive’ for farmers and businesses.

That’s according to Galway East TD and former Junior Minister, Seán Canney, who this week has called on the Government to intervene and instruct the Irish Water Authority [Uisce Éireann] not to increase charges.

Mr Canney said that the proposed increase comes at a time when many farm families are under significant financial pressure and that the new tariffs will place an excessive cost on farmers, especially suckler and dry stock farmers.

“The increase in electricity and other input costs have made trading difficult for small businesses and farmers and Uisce Éireann is now intending to increase the cost of water to these businesses at the wrong time.

“The proposed increase could be the last straw and we may see further closure of small family businesses and the strong movement away from farming and Government need to intervene as a matter of urgency,” said Deputy Canney.

Uisce Éireann is updating  tariffs approved under the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on the Non-Domestic Tariff Framework which expire on September 30.

The CRU is proposing almost doubling the charge per connection across all four bands of standing water charges, depending on consumption.

The standing charge for ‘Band 1’ (water consumption less than 1,000m3) is set to increase from €43.76 to €83.02 per year, while the standing charge for ‘Band 2’ (1,000m3 – 19,999m3) will increase from €113.31 to €218.11 per year.

“There is no point in the Government giving assistance to struggling businesses if they then turn around and increase the cost of doing business by increasing water charges.

“This is not good news for rural Ireland and the rural economy will bear the brunt of these unnecessary and ill-timed increases,” said Deputy Canney.

Pictured: Sean Canney: The proposed increase could be last straw.