Mullingar councillors are calling on the Minister for the Environment to offer certain incentives to householders when it comes to the implementation of water charges in 2015.
Cllr Gerry Sheridan says there should be a “generous domestic allowance” for each household based on the number of occupants in the house, and on the day-to-day usage of water.
Speaking at the recent meeting of Mullingar Town Council, Cllr Sheridan said such measures would encourage people to conserve water.
“Water consumption varies per person - people have a choice how they use water. For example a bath uses 114 litres, while a shower uses 35 litres. It is very important that people use common sense and use water conservation measures.
“There is a window of opportunity for the Government to introduce water conservation grants. It is obvious that Irish people do not have faith in Irish Water due to the debacle regarding consultant fees and the bonuses allowed to staff in Dublin - Westmeath County Council staff are the people who during the difficult times of flooding were at the coalface and they have got no benefit,” he added.
Cllr Bill Collentine agreed there should be a domestic allowance based on the number of people in a house, and suggested rainwater harvesting as one way to save water.
