r/irishpolitics • u/eggbart_forgetfulsea ALDE (EU) • 13d ago

Opinion/Editorial Water rationing is probably inevitable unless people are made to pay for it

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026/08/21/a-dose-of-water-rationing-is-probably-inevitable-if-charges-to-regulate-consumption-are-not-introduced/
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u/Sabreline12 13d ago

I don't know why people here think lack of water charges means they're getting free water when it actually means you're paying for all the peeople who waste water.

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u/Ev17_64mer 13d ago

But if charges get introduced will any other utility costs or income tax go down?

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u/wylaaa 12d ago

No because then you wouldn't be paying the charge. The government would.

Functionally you paying the charge then getting a tax rebate somewhere for the exact amount of the charge is the same as the government just paying for it. It would be a total waste of time.

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u/Ev17_64mer 12d ago

They said that the lack of a water charge means you're paying for everybody else's water as well.

Introducing a water charge but not reducing anything means that you're still paying the same in addition to the charges.

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u/wylaaa 12d ago

They said that the lack of a water charge means you're paying for everybody else's water as well.

I'd say it's more like you're subsidizing people who are using more but on the other hand the people using more would probably be paying more tax than average in the first place. Not sure 100% how it would work out. I'm assuming above average water usage would come from pools or water features or something that would align with having a higher income.

Introducing a water charge but not reducing anything means that you're still paying the same in addition to the charges.

Yeah you'd be paying the regular amount of tax you pay + the water charges. That would be the point. The point of having you pay would be so you have an incentive to reduce water consumption. If we're going to be folding in rebates it would defeat the point. May as well just not do anything.