Wexford has priciest water services

Research by national policy advisory body Forfas revealed that the average charge for water and wastewater services in the country’s ‘gateways and hibs’ is €2.03 per cubic metre.

However, Wexford charges €2.71 per cubic metre, compared to the lowest in the country – Co Galway, which charges €1.50.

Forfás said there is “a lack of transparency as to how local authorities charge for water and waste water services for the business sector”.

Some €73 million is to be invested into plans to improve the wastewater handling which has led to the pollution of the waters off Dun Laoghaire and Killiney in Dublin Bay.

The money will go towards an upgrade of the Shanganagh Waste Water Treatment plant, which councillors claim will stop untreated wastewater being pumped into the waters.