Water harvesting could avoid need for charges
Water charges could be avoided or reduced by grant aiding compulsory water harvesting, it was suggested at the March monthly meeting of Sligo County Council.
Clr. Jerry Lundy tabled a motion asking the council to call on the government to avoid future water charges by grant aiding and making rainwater harvesting compulsory for all new projects.
Clr. Lundy said it was hard to believe that large parts of Sligo and the country were suffering water shortages after the record levels of rainwater that had fallen.
He added that in his opinion, there would not have been water shortages in parts of the county during the Christmas and New Year period if more homes, schools and business premises had rainwater harvesting technology installed.
He said that, for example, homes and other premises would have been able to use the free rainwater for toilets, which cane use between three to seven litres, for just one flush. This would mean less pressure on the treated mains water and would reduce homeowners' bills, when or if domestic water charges were introduced.
He said that to make the change, all the government had to do was change the building regulations to include rainwater harvesting in all new projects.
"The Minister for the Environment made massive studies into improving the energy efficiency of new homes and he can do the same with water efficiency," said Clr. Lundy.
He added: "I think that introducing rainwater harvesting through grant aid would benefit the environment and the consumer, and I call on the government to make this happen without delay."
Clr. Patsy Barry said he would make it retrospective, that anybody who wanted to get grant aid would get it.
Clr. Hubert Keaney pointed out that all the units needed, such as tanks and pumps, were made in Ireland.
He said it was organic business and could be part of boosting the building and construction sector.
Clr. Mary Barrett: "I think harvesting of water is the way to go."
The motion as agreed to.
