50 Additional Services Charges 1
Additional Services Charges Irish Water has developed a proposed scheme of charges in line with anticipated Customer requests. The following proposed charges are to be included in the Water Charges Plan. These figures are estimates/indicative charges based on limited existing information gathered from Irish Water Business and Operational sections, and review of data from Local Authorities and Water Utilities in the United Kingdom. It is anticipated that the further development of detailed Additional Services Charges would take approximately 12-18 months. It is expected that in the absence of more specific charges the majority of scenarios would be covered by a Site Visit / Investigation Charge, plus any quote for additional reasonable costs incurred. The list of items considered for the Water Charges Plan was as follows: Site Visit Customer request to review blockages, leaks, and any quotes for nonstandard works; Disconnection/Reconnection At Customer request to turn flow on/off, or remove pipework; Special Meter Read provision; Pressure Testing; Meter Testing; and Water Quality Testing. Proposed Additional Services Charges Service Site Visit / Investigation Standard Hours Site Visit / Investigation Out of Standard Hours Site Visit / Investigation Requiring additional services Special Meter Read Meter Testing Pressure Testing Charge 188 for the first hour on site plus 94 per hour thereafter 282 for the first hour on site plus 141 per hour thereafter Reasonable rates and costs incurred 17 (Conditions apply)* Reasonable rates and costs incurred 220 or actual reasonable rates and costs incurred * Special Meter Read to be done by Metering Services which will collect metering data only. No additional site works or investigation will be undertaken. In previous Irish Water documents, Standard Charging has been determined to mean that parties connecting to the water and wastewater network will not be charged the actual 2
location-specific cost of their connection method, but rather a CER approved Standard Charge. Principles for Additional Services Charging The following principles were proposed in determining the Additional Services Charges: 1. The Site Visit / Investigation Charge would be for the initial site investigation and/or standard activities; 2. Irish Water will only apply charges to the customer for actual work done; 3. Where it is found to be the responsibility of Irish Water (e.g. water quality is outside normal parameters, water pressure issue is on IW side of boundary, etc.), the issue will be escalated within Irish Water and appropriate action taken. A Site Visit / Investigation Charge will not be applied; 4. Where it is found to be the responsibility of the customer (e.g. pipe rot on customer side of boundary, leakage on Customer side of boundary, improper fittings, etc.), further action would be the responsibility of the Customer. The Site Visit / Investigation Charge would be applied and would appear as a line item on the customer s invoice; 5. Any additional charges incurred would be assessed on a case by case basis, based on reasonable actual costs incurred through activity based costing... and 6. Customer requested visits or works shall be conducted on a pre-payment basis, or billed on invoice. Methodology The following methodology was undertaken in determining the proposed Additional Services Charges: Gather information from Local Authorities on any current additional charges; Liaise with customer call centre reading the process for dealing with customer requests; Gather information from other Jurisdictions (Scottish Water and NI Water) to review their published scheme of charges and review how some of these charges (i.e. Site Visit) was developed and the methodology applied for arriving at their figures; Review quoted prices and rates from A Multi-Supplier Framework for the Provision of Minor Civil Engineering Works to Irish Water ; Engaged with Irish Water Operations & Maintenance Team to provide sample scope of works and indicative pricing in regards to site visits, site investigations, and typical customer requested works; Request and review an external Civil Engineering Services provider that Irish Water would normally use for services a list of typical daily and hourly rates for various personnel; 3
Review Bord Gais Networks Additional Services Charging document and investigate how this document was developed and the methodology applied for arriving at their figures; Review ESB Networks Statement of Charges to investigate if there are any similar charges applied; and Gather suitable information from current Meter Data framework and Metering Program framework for review current costs incurred. Site Visit The Site Visit / Investigation Charges are based on hourly rate for a skilled professional (e.g. Senior Engineer) plus an Irish Water overhead. The figure allows for 1 hour travel, and the first hour on site. Out of Standard Hours Charges are based on time-and-a-half hourly rates. This method is consistent with Scottish Water and some of the Local Authorities. Considerations were taken from information gathered from other jurisdictions (Scottish Water and Northern Ireland Water), Local Authorities, Irish Water Operations & Maintenance, an external Civil Engineering Services provider that Irish Water would normally use for these services, and resource rates obtained from A Multi-Supplier Framework for the Provision of Minor Civil Engineering Works to Irish Water. Based upon the above information (See Appendix 1), it was established that typical hourly rate for a skilled professional (i.e. Senior Engineer) is 75.00 per hour. The basis of these rates was obtained by the resource rates from A Multi-Supplier Framework for the Provision of Minor Civil Engineering Works to Irish Water. Tenders were received from circa 200 suppliers nationwide and the hourly rate represents the average tendered charge for a senior engineer. Using this figure, the Site Visit Charges were calculated as follows: 1. Site Visit / Investigation Standard Hours Hourly Rate for Skilled Professional ( 75.00 per hour) X (2 hour minimum) PLUS (Irish Water Overhead) = 188 Any additional hours would be charged at the hourly rate plus an Irish Water Overhead = 94/hour 2. Site Visit / Investigation Out of Standard Hours Hourly Rate for Skilled Professional (1.5 X 75.00 per hour) X (2 hour minimum) PLUS (Irish Water Overhead) = 282 4
Any additional hours would be charged at 1.5 time the hourly rate plus an Irish Water Overhead = 181/hour Again, this approach is consistent with the methodology used in Scottish Water and some of the Local Authorities. Irish Water Operations and Maintenance have provided an indicative call out inspection charge of 165 (based on a 3 hour minimum). This charge is consistent with what some of the Local Authorities are currently charging. Disconnection / Reconnection Charges Upon review of the current charges outlined by the Local Authorities, other jurisdictions (Scottish Water and Northern Ireland Water) and Bord Gais Networks, it was found that the Disconnection / Reconnection Charges are quite varied and the methodology of billing and customer collections systems are not consistent. It was determined that most standard works will be covered under Site Visit / Investigation Charge, plus any quote for non-standard works based on reasonable costs incurred. Special Meter Read A Special Meter Read will be conducted if the customer has requested a subsequent meter read be undertaken outside of the normal meter reading schedule. In regards to any Special Meter Reads requested, these are to be conducted by contracted services under the Metering Data Management Framework, and only the metering data shall be collected. No additional site works or investigation shall be undertaken. The basis of the Special Meter Read Charge was obtained by the resource rates provided from the Metering Data Management Framework for Special Meter Reads, plus an Irish Water overhead. It should be noted that the Bord Gais Networks Siteworks charges a figure of 34.80 for special meter reads, and Roscommon Co. charges a figure of 78a for special meter reads (identical to the amount charged for a Site Visit). Meter Testing If a customer believes that their water meter is not registering accurately, Irish Water will, upon the customer s request, arrange to have it tested. If the meter is accurate to within tolerances, a Meter Testing charge will be allocated to the customer. This charge shall 5
consist of any actual costs incurred by Irish Water to have the meter tested, plus any additional costs incurred for removing and replacing the meter. If the meter is found to be accurate to within tolerances, the customer will not be charged. This method is consistent with Scottish Water charges. A standardised charge for Meter Testing will have to be built up over time based upon actual costs incurred. Pressure Testing Should a customer request a pressure test, Irish Water will arrange the pressure test. The Pressure Testing Charge will consist of the actual costs of the pressure test, plus any costs incurred. Irish Water Operations and Maintenance have provided an indicative Testing Fee of 100 per test (payable in advance) which would be in addition to the Site Visit / Investigation Charge. Additionally, Fingal County Council have a published a charge of 250/test for this service. The basis of the Pressure Testing Charge rates consists of the one hour s minimum rate of charge (as per the Site Visit / Site Investigation Charge), the indicative Testing Fee provided by Irish Water Operations and Maintenance, plus an Irish Water overhead charge. Water Quality Testing Irish Water, in cooperation with the Local Authorities, takes a proactive approach in regards to water quality. Water sampling and testing is conducted on a continuous basis and any Customer complaint in regards to quality is taken seriously and addressed promptly. If the tested water quality is already within accepted standards and tolerances, the Customer may arrange their own private water test through a third party or through the Health Service Executive (HSE). 6
Appendix 1 Additional Services Charging of Other Jurisdictions and Local Authorities, and Additional Sources 1. Additional Service Charging of Other Jurisdictions and Local Authorities Local Authority / Jurisdiction Scottish Water Northern Ireland Water Additional Service Charges Provision of information: 54.90/enquiry Site Visit: - Standard Hours: 95.50/hour first hour, 63.70 thereafter. Abortive visit 79.80 - Out of Standard Hours: 127.90/hour first hour, 85.10 thereafter. Abortive visit 106.50 Water Connection Inspection: Permanent Disconnection: - Standard Hours: 95.50/hour first hour, 63.70 thereafter. Abortive visit 79.80 - Out of Standard Hours: 127.90/hour first hour, 85.10 thereafter. Abortive visit 106.50 - Inspection Charge: 58.20 Meter Testing: - Meter testing fee plus any additional costs incurred Site Visit: - 140/visit payable in advance. Abortive visit 57 Removal and testing of water meters: - 15mm: 85-20mm: 85-25mm: 95-30mm: 95-40mm: 105-50mm: 115-80mm: 125-100mm: 181-150mm: 201-200mm: 945-250mm: 1,005 Other Charges Septic Tank - Household: - Scheduled: 168.20 - Unscheduled: 244.40 - Urgent Response: 357.71 or actual cost Septic Tank - Business: - Scheduled: 243.80 - Unscheduled: 313.70 - Urgent Response: 421.50 or actual cost Tankered Waste Disposal Charges (Domestic): - Range in costs of service 60-152, aborted visits 26 - Charge for reception and treatment of waste: 9.80/m³ 7
- 300mm: 1,005 Dublin City Meter Fitting: 704 Disconnection/Reconnection Charge of meter on supply: 326 Removal of Supply: 2132 Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown Co Fingal Co Disconnection / Reconnection / Flow Restriction Fee (nonpayment of charges): 590 Disconnection / Reconnection Fee (change of tenant / owner): 95 Fees for Disconnection / Restoration / Flow Restriction are based on a normal procedure not involving any excavation. Any costs associated with excavation and reinstatement will be charged separately, if required. Disconnection/Reconnection Fee: - Permanent: 1300 (minimum) - Temporary: 300 (minimum) Water Pressure and Flow Tests: 250/test Longford Co Reconnection Charge: 250 Offaly Co Reconnection Charge: 500 8
Cavan Co Disconnection Charges: - Closing stop valve: 55 - Removing Connection: 880 Reconnection Charges: - Opening Stop valve: 55 - Renew connection <25mm: 840 - Renew connection 25mm to 75mm: 880 - Renew connection >75mm: 1100 Special Read Charges: 55/read Galway Co Reconnection Fee: 500 Roscommon Co Wexford Co Water meter check - customer request: 78 Site Visit: 78 Elective Re-siting of meter: 400 Water/Wastewater Reconnection Charge: 250 Water/Wastewater Disconnection Charge: 500 Water Disconnection Charge: 300 Well Grants - Water Analysis Testing - First Sample: 145 - Second and subsequent sample: 95 Drinking Water Sample & Analysis: - First Sample: 145 - Second and subsequent sample: 95 - Audit Sample: 400 Treatment and Disposal of Sewerage Sludge: 1675/tonne Late Payment - up to 1000: 40 Late Payment - > 1000 < 10,000: 70 Late Payment - > 10,000: 100 9