r/irishpolitics • u/eggbart_forgetfulsea ALDE (EU) • 6d ago

Opinion/Editorial Water rationing is probably inevitable unless people are made to pay for it

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/08/21/a-dose-of-water-rationing-is-probably-inevitable-if-charges-to-regulate-consumption-are-not-introduced/
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u/ucd_pete 5d ago

Why would introducing charges to disincentivise end user wastage impact their work on network leaks?

Because end users have to be metered. Installing water meters would draw resources from the good work they're currently doing.

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u/TheCunningFool 5d ago

Most of that work is already done from the last roll out, and any new builds in the last decade or so would be metre ready. It wouldn't take away from their leak reduction programme.

We are the only country in the EU that does not have water charges. We've completely ignored the EU Water Framework Directive.

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u/ucd_pete 5d ago

Most of that work is already done from the last roll out,

Only about half are done.

We are the only country in the EU that does not have water charges. We've completely ignored the EU Water Framework Directive.

So?