Irish homes will have their water charges capped for longer than expected, under a decision by the energy regulator.
It says water charges will now be capped for the first nine months - an increase from the original plan of six months.
The details have been published this morning, ahead of the first charges being levied tomorrow.
The assessed charge for water in and out of a one-adult household is 176 euro or 278 euro for two adults - with children under 18 free.
Those with water unfit for human consumption - i.e. those on a boil water notice for at least 24 hours - will get a 100 percent discount on the water supply element of the charge, but will still have to pay for waste water if on a public sewerage system.
Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.
Although water charges kick in tomorrow, itÂ’s taken until this morning for the final details of the water charges to be officially confirmed.
The energy regulator has this morning published the final charges - which will take effect from midnight, although the first bills wonÂ’t arrive until January.
The biggest change is that every household’s bill will now be capped for nine months, instead of six - so every house will be given an estimated, or “assessed” charge, based on the ages of the people who live there.
For families who end up using less water than expected, the refunds will now come quicker - within six months, instead of 12.
And thereÂ’s also some comfort for households will boil notices too - who will now have NO charges for their water supply as long as they canÂ’t drink the water from their taps.
However they WILL still have to pay to dispose of the water - so their final bills will only be reduced by 50 per cent.
