Schools could see water charges double

Schools across county Offaly could see their water charges double this year as metered water charges were introduced from January 1. A typical school of 100 pupils that is connected to both the public water supply and sewerage system could face a bill of just under €1,150 this year, compared to €550 last year. Last year Offaly County Council charged a flat fee of €4 per pupil for water and waste water, plus an annual standing charge of €150 for the meter. However, since metered water charges were introduced at the beginning of the year a fee of €2.40 will be charged per cubic metre of water consumed and also for connection to the sewerage system. Offaly County Council charges €1.16 per cubic metre of water and €1.24 for waste water. Waste water is charged on the 'water in, water out' principal, meaning whatever water goes into the building must also come out into the sewerage system. For example Schoil Mhuire in Tullamore, which has 421 pupils could face a bill of €3,686.40 this year, based on the calculations from the Department, which is more than double the bill the school paid last year, which was €1,796. The Irish Primary Principals' Network has expressed alarm at the spiralling cost, saying it will place greater pressure on parents through increased fundraising and voluntary contributions. Director of the IPPN Seán Cottrell told the annual conference, which was attended by some 1,000 principals, last week: "The dependence on parents to pay for basic operating costs added to the doubling of the cost of water overnight is an indication that the Celtic Tiger never went to school'. While recognising that water is a valuable resource and must be paid for, this should be done on the basis of a departmental transfer of funds between Education and Environment, and not levied directly on schools."