Water Services Training Group 16 th Annual Conference Water Sector Reform Programme Implementation INEC, Killarney, 8

1. Water Services Training Group 16th Annual Conference Water Sector Reform Programme Implementation INEC, Killarney, 8th November 2012 1

2. Water Sector Reform Programme Implementation Domestic Metering Programme – Implementation Plan Gerry O’Donoghue Senior Adviser DECLG

3. Approach to water charging for Domestic Consumers Government proposing domestic charges based on metered usage. Metering is internationally recognised as being the fairest way to charge for water and as the OECD has noted the absence of metering in Ireland gives consumers no incentive to save or conserve water. The main benefits are reductions in operational costs arising from reduced consumption and lower levels of leakage on customer’s property as well as deferred capital expenditure. Metering programme to commence by end 2012.

4. Approach to Water charging for Domestic Consumers (cont..) Programme will not initially include properties which would be either too expensive or technically difficult to meter individually (e.g. multi-occupancy premises such as apartments) c. 300,000. Water charges for domestic and non-domestic sectors will be subject to independent economic regulation (Commission for Energy Regulation will act as water regulator). Regulation will ensure protection of customers and a fair transparent charging system

5. Approach to Water charging for Domestic Consumers (cont..) • Regulation will also ensure a stable model for the water utility to source finance for long-term investment needs. • Issues to be addressed in advance of introduction of charges include approach to be taken to free allowance (proposed in Programme for Government) and affordability supports for low-income groups.

6. Metering Programme Joint Approach from DECLG, Local Authorities & Irish Water Survey of domestic water connections - November 2012 – June 2013 Initiate procurement of boundary boxes - November 2012 Establish panel of SME contractors - by January 2013 Installation of boundary boxes and meters - commencing July 2013

7. Household Connection Survey The purpose of the survey is to locate water services which can be readily metered. The survey process involves a surveyor locating individual domestic water connections and recording a range of data in preparation for the domestic metering programme. Survey staff on average (greater numbers in larger authorities)2-5 Surveyors1 GIS Technician1 SEE/EE Project Manager/ Supervisor Survey duration3-7 Months (Depending on number of connections and numbers of staff employed)

8. Survey Aims Identify domestic properties which will be readily meterable Survey involves: Collating information on connections with both domestic and non-domestic use, which are already metered Identifying and categorising non-standard domestic water services on which meters cannot be installed under the initial phase of the installation programme; e.g. backyard common services, shared connections etc.

9. Survey Aims (cont…) Survey involves (cont…): Locating and recording the location of the water service for individual domestic properties where this can be readily done by visual inspection and without the surveyor entering private property Proposing an installation location of the meter boundary box and identifying the re-instatement requirements Identifying properties for which no water service can be located for follow-up investigation

10. Steps in the Process: • Identification of properties (connections) to be included in the survey. • Surveying (including management and reporting)

11. Survey Set-up Training for Supervisors provided at Water Service Training Group Regional Centres One person operation Surveyor operates within allocated geographical areas. Allocated by a survey supervisor. Area could be a single Townland or ED in rural set up or individual estates or streets in Urban areas depending on density Property data based on Geo-directory database which has been filtered to remove areas of no public supply and non domestic properties

12. Survey Set-up (cont…) Survey data gathered using survey application on an android device– the application is prompt driven and will be map based (GIS). Data uploaded to a web based server central database. Application has been designed to cater for majority of situations that will arise, from ‘Stopcock found – install Boundary Box in same location’ to ‘Nothing found – further investigation required’ and everything in between.

13. And finally….. • Technical Working Group • Importance of people • There will be problems… • Thank you