This article is from page 30 of the 2007-11-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
A LEVEL playing pitch should be put in place for all water users, ac- cording to county councillors in the Shannon area.
In a joint motion at a meeting last week, Councillors Gerry Flynn (In- dependent) and John Crowe (FG) asked a number of questions relat- ing to the supply of water to bed and breakfasts and guesthouses in the Bunratty area.
They specifically asked how the
cost 1s calculated; are bed and break- fasts paying the same rate as guest- houses; and are families who use the bed and breakfasts as their family homes allowed a set discount.
In response, Senior Engineer Wal- ter Walsh said the flat rate charge and metered charge applies through- out the wider area of Bunratty and also throughout the county.
“Bed and breakfasts are paying by both systems, 1.e. some are me- tered and some are paying by fixed charge. This situation has arisen his-
torically and there is no explanation for the different charging systems to different customers. It is the policy that all new customers both domestic and non-domestic will have meters installed at the time of connection,” said Mr Walsh.
He pointed out that families who live in their own bed and breakfasts or guesthouses are given an allow- ance. All other water provided is charged at the current charge rate.
“At present, a complete survey of all known non-domestic water cus-
tomers is ongoing in the county. Fol- lowing on from the survey, meters are being installed where none exist at present or where existing meters are not properly functioning. It is expected that this contract will be finished in late spring 2008,’ added Mr Walsh.
Cllr Flynn said he raised the issue on foot of queries in Bunratty, while Cllr Crowe remarked, “All we are looking for is a level playing field. If one is paying for it, let everyone pay for it.”