CER confirm those affected by long-term boil water notices will be 100% exempt from drinking water charges when billing system is introduced – Hopkins

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has confirmed to Fine Gael candidate for the Roscommon/South Leitrim bye-election, Maura Hopkins,  that domestic water supplies affected by long-term boil water notices will be 100% exempt from drinking water charges with immediate effect when the billing system is introduced on October 1st.
 
“This 100% waiver is currently in proposal form but confirmation that it will be set in stone when the billing regime commences on October 1st next will come as welcome relief to thousands of affected households. Some people’s water quality issues stretch back more than ten years and I am pleased to get clarity for many people, especially across Roscommon, who are rightly worrying about paying for water which is unfit for human consumption.
 
“Thankfully, those who have been frustrated by long-term boil water notices will now not have to pay any drinking water charges until these long-term issues are fully resolved.
 
“The CER’s proposed definition of long-term boil water notices is 3 months or more but I hope this regulator will also look favourably at revising the proposed 50% discount for those on boil water notices for three months or less. I am pleased to say though that a CER spokesperson did confirm to me that the current definitions of both long-term and short-term time boil water notices are being examined again with the benefit of the consumer in mind.
 
“There is also some welcome relief coming down the tracks for those currently paying commercial or non-domestic water rates to local authorities.
 
“It has emerged that the CER is expecting to put in place exemptions from October 1st for non-domestic water supplies also affected by boil water notices. These exemptions and types are currently being discussed internally by the CER.
 
“This particular move has to be good news for affected rate-payers such as businesses, restaurants, farmers and schools.”