Rising water charges in Co Galway forcing businesses to sink private wells

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN THE rising cost of water for businesses and farmers in Co Galway is leading to many of them drilling their own ­private wells on their property. Commercial water charges in the county have jumped by seven and a half per cent this year, an increase costing heavy water users thousands of euro. The Tuam Herald has learned that a number of such businesses in Tuam and North Galway have had discussions with water well-drilling companies over the past number of weeks. [private] €20,000 a year for water Owner of the Ard Rí Hotel in Tuam and Galway Co Councillor Tom McHugh says with a water bill of more than €20,000 a year, it is an option they are actively pursuing at the moment. It's believed that a large farmer in North Galway who is having to pay out over €5,000 per quarter for water is also arranging to have a private water well and pump sunk on his property. He says he can't continue to pay out so much for the public water supply. Tom McHugh says his hotel is also examining the possibilities and benefits of installing a rainwater harvesting system. 'When you look at the way water charges are going, you would have to look at a private well supply. 'From a cost perspective it looks very attractive,' he told The Herald. While many commercial users won't notice the charge hike because their useage is relatively low, others such as those involved in hotels, bars and hairdressers are increasingly concerned at their water bills. Cllr McHugh said unlike the domestic sector, the hospitality industry is charged for the water it takes and sends out. Care also had to be taken to ensure the water quality met the required standards, added the Tuam hotelier, who will be assessing different cost-saving measures over the coming months. Over the past four years commercial water charges have nearly trebled with Galway Co Council arguing that those who use the service should bear the economic cost of providing the service. IFA encourages While many large farmers in Co Galway have already sunk private wells for farming use, it's a move being actively encouraged by IFA Regional Development Officer Roy O'Brien. He says even an average dairy farmer could save up to €5,000 a year by boring his own well. Speaking to The Tuam Herald, the farmers' representative said there are no ongoing charges for private wells and the IFA would resist any fresh attempt to introduce them. 'Farmers should seriously consider sinking a private well before planning implications arise down the line,' said Roy O'Brien. Currently planning permission isn't required for private wells. However he pointed out that while farmers are still paying for water for their domestic use, using untreated water when there isn't a need for treated water saves the taxpayer money also. 'Farmers might already have dormant wells on their property and these should be looked at to see if they can be made viable. Some bigger farms have also introduced rainwater harvesting systems and these are proving to be very beneficial,' he added. Galway Co Council signalled in its budget this year that it cannot continue to fund the increasing costs of providing water for the domestic and non-domestic sectors. The fall off in construction has resulted in a significant drop in income from development contributions and this will result in the Council having to borrow more funds to meet its portion of the capital costs of future water projects. [/private]