Although final figures are yet to be decided, it is currently estimated that households will pay averages anywhere from €100 to €500 per year on water (encompassing charges for both used water and discarded wastewater). The European average is €1.91 per 1,000 litres, which would suggest an average monthly bill per household of around €200 per household. However, since the government hopes to earn €500 million revenue per year from water charges, the figure might realistically be closer to €300-€400 per household per year, or over €3 per 1,000 liters.

Irish businesses and non-domestic premises are currently required to pay water charges. The current rates can give us an indication of the charges that might apply when domestic meters are introduced by the newly-formed Irish Water in 2015. The map below shows some examples, with premises in Dublin currently paying the lowest rates at €1.99. Click on the blue icons for the stats:

View Water charges Ireland in a larger map (figures compiled by Brian Byrne and Stephen McNeice)

The only domestic households currently paying water charges are those maintaining personal wells or involved in Group Water Schemes, with these homes predominantly in rural areas that are not served by the council or authority water services. However, these small supplies are heavily subsidised by government subsidies and grants.

While some charges fall directly on the households or individuals involved (those participating in a GWS, for example, must pay a minimum of 15% towards the cost of the scheme), a spokesperson for the Irish Federation of Group Water Schemes has said the group is unaware of many households paying more than €100 per year. Some of these homes may also face the new water charges if they're connected to council sewage systems.

We can also look further afield for some indication of what we can expect. The map below illustrates the water charges paid by households in Europe, as well as several global examples for comparison. Charges are highest in Denmark and Germany, while Italians enjoy the lowest rate at only €1.24 per 1,000 litres. With the exception of Australia, global households typically pay less for water than a majority of European countries.

View Water charges - Europe & World in a larger map