Tariff application rules decision
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities’ (CRU) decision on updates to the Non-Domestic Tariff Framework comes into effect on 1st st October 2024. The CRU’s decision has updated some of Uisce Éireann’s existing Tariff Applications Rules for assigning connections to a Tariff Band.
| Item | Rule |
| 1. | AQ is the only basis for assigning a connection to a tariff class (with some limited exceptions). All connections should pay the tariff rates associated with their assigned tariff class as a general rule. |
| 2. | Any connections may challenge their AQ and their assigned tariff class for the next tariff year but must provide supporting evidence that the assigned AQ is not reflective of the connection’s expected water usage (or wastewater discharge for wastewater only connections) in the next tariff year and must be open to site visits by Uisce Éireann. |
| 3. | If Uisce Éireann denies a connection’s request to change tariff class, it will provide written reasoning to the connection to explain its decision. Where a customer and Uisce Éireann cannot agree on the customer’s disputed assigned AQ, the customer can raise a complaint regarding the dispute to the CRU under the CRU’s non-domestic complaints process. |
| 4. | Uisce Éireann will inform customers that they have the right to challenge their AQ and their assigned tariff class and will provide a reasonable timeframe for customers to submit a challenge. |
| 5. | Any connection that reduces its annual water use (or wastewater discharge for wastewater only connections) to the extent that it should move tariff class, but would see a higher annual bill in the new assigned tariff class (at the newly assigned AQ) than it would if it continued to be assigned to its current tariff class, can request to stay on its current tariff class for the next tariff year, and Uisce Éireann will automatically accept such requests. For clarity, all connections will be charged the tariff rates that are applicable on 01 October of the prevailing tariff year. Uisce Éireann shall inform connections that are moving to a lower tariff class and would see a higher annual bill in the new assigned tariff class (at the newly assigned AQ) than it would if it continued to be assigned to its current tariff class, that they have the right to request to stay assigned to their current tariff class. |
For more information on the CRU’s Decision on Tariff Application Rules, please see question and answers below or visit www.cru.ie.
A previous CRU decision published on 13th July 2021 set out the rules for how leak allowances are applied – for details visit: Leakage Allowance
Questions and Answers
No. The CRU’s 2024 Non-Domestic Tariff Framework decision does not change how the current leak allowance policy are applied to customer accounts. Customers will continue to have the leak allowance applied as a credit to their account. The CRU decision has not changed the time limits associated with applying for a leak allowance:
- The maximum period over which the leaked volume will be calculated for the purposes of calculating a leak allowance will be limited to the billing period of the bill where the leak was first evidenced, plus a maximum of six months to allow a customer to identify the leak and notify Uisce Éireann plus a further maximum of six weeks to fix the leak. The six week period to fix the leak can be extended by Uisce Éireann in extenuating circumstances e.g. if a road opening license is required. The objective is to encourage water conservation by incentivising customers to act promptly in dealing with leaks on their property.
- Customers will now be limited to one self-certified leak allowance per premises for however long the customer occupies the premises. Any further requests for an allowance must be accompanied by a valid plumbers report.
- Leak allowances will only be granted for leaks on the external supply pipe or leaks which occur underground on internal pipework.
- Leak allowance policy eligibility criteria - under the current leak allowance policy there is no specific criterion relating to a customer's financial history when applying for a leak allowance. The CRU's decision is that only customers whose accounts are in good standing (i.e. not in arrears) will be granted a leak allowance to both encourage water conservation and promote good customer practice.
If a customer’s usage changes from one year to the next, then the customer may move Tariff Band. For example, a Band 1 customer uses 850m³ of water services in the previous tariff year. If their usage increases to 1,200m³ in current tariff year the customer would then be assigned to Band 2.
It covers the rules for assigning connections to a Tariff Band, specifically:
- How to treat connections who may consider that the AQ they have been assigned for the next tariff year is not reflective of their expected usage. The AQ which is assigned may not reflect a customer's expectations of usage over the next 12 months and could result in significant impact on bills.
- How to charge customer connections that reduce usage and move Tariff Band. In certain situations customers reducing their usage may see a bill increase if they have crossed a boundary between Tariff Bands.
Uisce Éireann will contact each non-domestic customer with details of their AQ, Tariff Band and expected bill impact at least 1 month before the start of each new tariff year commencing 1st October.
Customers wishing to query their AQ may do so following the receipt of the letter detailing their AQ. For further details visit: Annual Quantity | Business | Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)