Connection Charges

The provision of connections requires the payment of certain costs and fees by the customer, as approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Ireland.

As such, Uisce Éireann has implemented a Connection Charging Policy. This policy provides a standard set of charges for connections to Uisce Éireann’s water and wastewater networks. It also provides a single, clear, transparent and fair connection charging framework. The charges are calculated in a cost-reflective manner, based on connection type.

Standard connection charges will apply to the majority of customers and Uisce Éireann will provide a full connection service to a customer’s boundary, where all components of the connection works are performed by Uisce Éireann.

The charges can be viewed in the Uisce Éireann Charges Plan and also on the CRU website.

These charges are based on standard parameters. Requirements in excess of the standard parameters may incur additional charges. Please see the Connection Charging Policy document for further details. Please also see worked examples of connection charges for typical connections.

* Domestic Development and apartments with multiple units will incur the charge per each individual unit per application.

These charges are based on Connection Infrastructure of up to 10 metres in length. Infrastructure in excess of this will incur additional quotable charges. The charges assume a gravity pipe connection, for non gravity pipe connections additional charges may apply. Please see the Connection Charging Policy document for further details. Please also see worked examples of connection charges for typical connections.

In excess of 15 metres

Any service connection Infrastructure that exceeds 15 metres in total length will be liable for the following: 

• The Standard Connection Charge (that includes the provision of Service Connection Infrastructure of 10m in length)
• The Standard Charge for each additional metre of Service Connection Infrastructure (that exceeds 10m in length, up to a maximum of 15 metres)
• Quotable Charges for each metre of Service Connection Infrastructure that exceeds 15 metres in length

First Mover Disadvantage

Shared Quotable Rebate for compensating the First Mover Developer for other developers making use of the Network Connection Infrastructure it funded.

As per CRU/202342, issued on 19th May 2023, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities has announced a decision focusing on a specific aspect of Uisce Éireann’s (UÉ’s) Connection Charging Policy (CCP) known as First Mover Disadvantage (FMD).

FMD can occur in areas of new development where a First Mover Developer (FM Developer) triggers new network infrastructure and incurs the costs associated with connecting their land to the existing UÉ network. FMD may arise if the FM Developer funds new network infrastructure as part of their connection and these FM Developer funded assets have wider network benefits in the future. This can create a disadvantage for the FM Developer as subsequent connections may benefit from the connection assets put in place to the cost of that developer.

From 19th November 2023, FM Developers may qualify for a Shared Quotable Rebate (SQR) as compensation if other developers make use of the Water Main and/or Sewer extension funded by the FM Developer(s) to facilitate their Connection. The SQR will be funded by subsequent developers connecting to the FM Developer(s) asset (by way of a Standard Network Infrastructure Charge or SNIC) and will only be paid if subsequent developers connect to the FM Developer(s) asset. A ten year time limit applies between the FM Developer’s connection and the subsequent connection(s).

The SNIC will be charged in addition to any standard and/or quotable connection charges due for connecting each individual housing and/or non-domestic unit to UÉ network.

FMD may impact the following categories of customers:

• Any party who wishes to fund a network extension either for residential or commercial use.
• Any party who wishes to make use of an existing network extension funded by another developer.

Please see sections 4.2 to 4.4 of the Water Charges Plan (see here for a copy on UÉ’s website and here for a copy of the CRU’s website) for further details including full qualification criteria.

Self-Lay Surety

Only applicable to domestic housing developments

The Self-Lay connection agreement sets out the basis of the customer’s contractual agreement with Uisce Éireann for the provision of services. The agreement provides for the vesting in Uisce Éireann of water and wastewater services infrastructure installed by a customer, following quality assurance of the Self-Lay works and connection to the Uisce Éireann network(s). It includes the provision of financial security to Uisce Éireann (the Self-Lay Financial Security Arrangements) in certain circumstances.

As part of the Connection Charging Policy, a refundable financial security will be required per unit in a Self-Lay development. This will mitigate risk of asset defects and risk exposure where sub-standard work has been performed. This is applicable where the local infrastructure is provided by the customer and where a Self-Lay Agreement is in place requiring the vesting of the infrastructure in Uisce Éireann. The surety required is outlined below and will apply to all applications. The surety will apply to each unit within an application.

In addition to the risk exposures outlined above for the water and wastewater infrastructure, there is an additional risk exposure for pump stations (this includes other stand-alone infrastructure facilities) in a development. The financial security relating to this is outlined below:

• Up to 40% of the total cost of the pump station or stand alone infrastructure for the duration of the Defects Liability Period and/or
• Up to 100% of the annual estimates cost of operation and maintenance of these facilities for the duration of the Defects Liability Period

This financial security will be required in addition to the full connection payment and signed counterpart in order for a connection to progress. Upon completion of the defects liability period the surety will be released in line with the Uisce Éireann Financial Security Policy.

Disconnection and Reconnection Charges

Uisce Éireann applies charges for Disconnection from, and Reconnection to, the Network in accordance with the CRU approved Disconnection and Reconnection Policy. These charges are as follows: