Connection Charges
For all connection applications received by Irish Water on or after the 1 April 2019, Irish Water is implementing a Connection Charging Policy. This provides a standard set of charges, based on connection type, for connections to Irish Water’s water and wastewater networks. Standard connection charges will apply to the majority of customers and Irish Water will provide a full connection service to a customer’s boundary, where all components of the connection works are performed by Irish Water.
Connection Charging Policy
The new policy provides a single clear, transparent and fair connection charging framework. The Irish Water Connection Charging Policy:
- Sets out Standard Connection Charges for the majority of customers. Up until 1 April 2019, customers in different Local Authorities paid different charges for the same type of connection. These charges were not cost reflective and did not take into account the impact on the upstream network.
- Provides a consistent, safe, and end-to-end connection service to customers nationally. At present different levels of connection works are performed depending on the Local Authority area, for example, in some cases the customer may be required to pay the cost of a Road Opening Licence (ROL) or to procure their own contractor to complete the physical connection
From the 1 April 2019 the Connection Charging Policy will take effect with the cost per single domestic unit for a standard connection being €2,272 for Water and €3,929 Wastewater (Connection Infrastructure up to 10 metres).
Standard Connection Charge for water and wastewater
Standard Connection Charges - Water (Connection Infrastructure up to 10 metres)
| Category | Service Pipe Size (mm) | Connection Charge (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Domestic (1 Unit) | 25 | 2,272 |
| Domestic Development ( 2- 5 Units)* | Dependent on number of Units | 2,272 |
| Domestic Development (6 - 100 Units)* | Dependent on number of Units | 1,848 |
| Domestic Development (>100 Units)* | Dependent on number of Units | 1,708 |
| Non Domestic Small 1 | 25 | 2,272 |
| Non Domestic Small 2 | 32 | 8,781 |
| Non Domestic Medium 1 | 50 | 19,371 |
| Non Domestic Medium 2 | 80 | 29,645 |
| Non Domestic Medium 3 | 100 | 46,179 |
| Non Domestic Medium 4 | 150 | 83,900 |
| Non Domestic Medium 5 | 200 | 149,692 |
| Non Domestic Large 1 | 250 | Quotable |
| Non Domestic Large 2 | 300 | Quotable |
| Non Domestic Large 3 | 350 | Quotable |
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.
Standard Connection Charges - Wastewater (Connection Infrastructure up to 10 metres)
| Category | Service Pipe Size (mm) | Connection Charge (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Domestic (1 Unit) | 100 | 3,929 |
| Domestic Development ( 2- 5 Units)* | Dependent on number of Units | 3,929 |
| Domestic Development (6 - 100 Units)* | Dependent on number of Units | 3,499 |
| Domestic Development (>100 Units)* | Dependent on number of Units | 3,381 |
| Non Domestic Small | 100 | 3,929 |
| Non Domestic Medium 1 | 150 | 23,344 |
| Non Domestic Medium 2 | 225 | 226,571 |
| Non Domestic Large 1 | 300 | Quotable |
| Non Domestic Large 2 | 375 | Quotable |
| Non Domestic Large 3 | 450 | Quotable |
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.
* Domestic Development and apartments with multiple units will incur the charge per each individual unit per application.
Standard charges – In excess of 10 metres, less than 15 metres
| Service Connection Infrastructure | Per Metre Charge (€) |
|---|---|
| Water (25mm pipe diameter) | 358 |
| Wastewater (100mm pipe diameter) | 442 |
Standard charges – 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
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 Irish Water for the provision of services. The agreement provides for the vesting in Irish Water of water and wastewater services infrastructure installed by a customer, following quality assurance of the self-lay works and connection to the Irish Water network(s). It includes the provision of financial security to Irish Water (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 Irish Water. The surety required is outlined below and will apply to all applications submitted on or after 1st April 2019. The surety will apply to each unit within an application.
| Standard Residential Connection | Apartment and Duplex |
|---|---|
| €1,125 per unit for water and waste water | €750 per unit for water and waste water |
| €562 per unit for one service | €375 per unit for one service |
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 Irish Water Financial Security Policy.
The Irish Water Self Lay Financial Security Arrangements sets out the acceptable forms of financial security.