MEP questions compatibility of Water Review outcome with EU obligations
17 October 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“The opposition of the Review Panel on water charges to metering raises a potential breach of EU obligations. Under the water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC member states by 2010 are required to have in place water-pricing policies which “provide adequate incentives for users to use water efficiently” (ARTICLE 9).
I see nothing in the review which addresses this obligation. Plainly, metering would provide an incentive to users to use water efficiently. By rejecting metering and failing to identify any alternative incentive for efficient use of water, it seems to me that if the policy advocated by the review panel was adopted, then we might well be in breach of this EU Directive and face possible infraction proceedings.
Quite apart from any bearing of the Water Framework Directive, I strongly feel metering in itself is a proper option and one that consumers should not be denied. Many farming families already have meters, so why should they pay other than for the water they use. Other consumers should be entitled to opt for metering and thus escape the nonsense of linkage to house valuation.
I must also observe that the fact that the review indicates we can expect to pay increased water charges by 2010, if accepted by the executive, will be confirmation of the failure of Ian Paisley’s personal election pledge to make delivery of a Treasury financial package, sufficient to avoid additional water charges, a pre-condition to devolution.”
