Connection Charging Policy:

Worked examples of Connection

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1. INTRODUCTION
________________________________________________________________________

Irish Water (IW) applies charges for connection to the water and wastewater networks. These
charges are to be applied in accordance with Irish Water’s Connection Charging Policy, as
approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on 18th December 2018. Under
the Connection Charging Policy, a connecting party must contribute to the cost of providing
their connection, including a contribution to the cost of providing network infrastructure to
facilitate the connection. The Connection Charging Policy is based on establishing standard
connection parameters (e.g. pipe size) and standard connection charges for the majority of
connections. Some connections may inevitably have additional quotable charge elements,
dependent on customer specific load or volume requirements, site specific factors and distance
from the network. The Standard Connection Charge will consist of two elements providing for a
contribution to:

 the cost of Service Connection Infrastructure required for a water Connection and/or
wastewater Connection within defined Standard Connection Parameters; and
 the cost of Network Infrastructure planned to facilitate growth.

The purpose of this document is to provide customers with practical worked examples of how
connection charges are calculated for typical connections.

This document should be read in conjunction with the Irish Water Connection Charging Policy1
and the Water Charges Plan2. The examples set out in this document have been calculated
based on the standard connection charges approved by the CRU on 18th December 2018 and
published in the Water Charges Plan.

In addition to the Connection Charge, developers are required to put in place financial security
arrangements in respect of assets installed by the developer that are to be vested in IW. IW will
release financial security back to a developer as specified in the Connection Agreement. Please
see the ‘Self-Lay Financial Security Arrangements for Vesting Assets3’ document for further
information. All financial security requirements will be specified in the Connection Agreement
and must be provided in accordance with the IW Financial Security Policy.

The examples set out in this document are indicative and for information purposes only. As
the examples are based on specific case studies, the connection charge may not be reflective
of all connections in that particular customer category. The connection charge applicable for
your connection will be based on the specific details contained in your connection application
and the charge will be set out in your connection offer.

1
https://www.water.ie/connections/Connection-Charging-Policy-CRU-approved-18.12.2018.pdf
2
https://www.water.ie/docs/IW-Water-Charges-Plan-1-April-2019.pdf
3
https://www.water.ie/connections/information/connection-charges/Self-Lay-Financial-Security-Arrangements-
for-Vesting-Assets.pdf
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2. DOMESTIC CONNECTIONS: WORKED EXAMPLES
________________________________________________________________________

Case Study 1 – one off new build (water and wastewater)

1 Water + Wastewater 1 8

This case study is of a one off new build house requiring a water and wastewater connection. The
boundary of the property is located 8m from the existing mains/sewer. As the property requires Service
Connection Infrastructure of less than 10m in length, there is no additional incremental charge for
Service Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the Standard Connection
Charge [Single Domestic (1 unit)] for water and wastewater.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 €2,272 - - €2,272
Incremental Charge - Service Connection - - - - -
Connection Charge (Water) €2,272

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 1 €3,929 - - €3,929
Incremental Charge - Service Connection - - - - -
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €3,929

Total Connection Charge €6,201

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Case Study 2 – one off new build (water only)
Case Study Services Required No. of units (houses/ Service connection length
apartments) (m)

2 Water 1 5

This case study is of a one off new build house requiring a water connection only. The boundary of the
property is located 5m from the existing mains. As the property requires Service Connection
Infrastructure of less than 10m in length, there is no additional incremental charge for Service
Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the Standard Connection Charge
[Single Domestic (1 unit)] for water only.

Additional
No. of Standard
Connection Charge length Unit charge Total
units Charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 €2,272 - - €2,272
Incremental Charge - Service Connection - - - - -

Total Connection Charge €2,272

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Case Study 3 – one off new build (water and wastewater)
Case Study Services Required No. of units (houses/ Service connection length
apartments) (m)

3 Water + Wastewater 1 12

This case study is of a one off new build house requiring a water and wastewater connection. The
boundary of the property is located 12m from the existing mains/sewers. As the property requires
Service Connection Infrastructure of greater than 10m in length, there will be an additional incremental
charge for Service Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the Standard
Connection Charge [Single Domestic (1 unit)] for water and wastewater and an incremental charge for
additional Service Connection Infrastructure.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 €2,272 - - €2,272
Incremental Charge - Service Connection - - 2 €358 €716
Connection Charge (Water) €2,988

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 1 €3,929 - - €3,929
Incremental Charge - Service Connection - - 2 €442 €884
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €4,813

Total Connection Charge €7,801

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Case Study 4 – Developer with a new apartment block of 14 units.
3. Case Study Services Required No. of units (houses/ Service connection length
apartments) (m)

4 Water + Wastewater 14 8

This case study is of a new development of 14 apartments requiring a water and wastewater
connection. The boundary of the property is located 8m from the existing mains/sewers. As the
property requires Service Connection Infrastructure of less than 10m in length, there is no additional
incremental charge for Service Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the
Standard Connection Charge [Domestic Development (6 - 100 Units)] for water and wastewater in
respect of each of the 14 units in the development. The developer will also be required to put in place
refundable self lay financial security. This is in respect of ‘self lay’ infrastructure that will be installed by
the developer and vested in Irish Water4.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 14 €1,848 - - €25,872
Incremental Charge - Service Connection - - - - -
Connection Charge (Water) €25,872

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 14 €3,499 - - €48,986
Incremental Charge - Service Connection - - - - -
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €48,986

Total Connection Charge €74,858

No. of
Self Lay Security Requirement Surety Amount Total
units
Water 14 €375 €5,250
Wastewater 14 €375 €5,250

Total Self Lay Security Requirement €10,500

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See the ‘Self-Lay Financial Security Arrangements for Vesting Assets’ document for further information:
https://www.water.ie/connections/information/connection-charges/Self-Lay-Financial-Security-Arrangements-for-Vesting-
Assets.pdf
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Case Study 5 – Developer with a new development of 120 houses.
4. Case Study Services Required No. of units (houses/ Service connection length
apartments) (m)

5 Water + Wastewater 120 8

This case study is of a new development of 120 houses requiring a water and wastewater connection.
The boundary of the property will be 8m from the existing mains/sewers. As the property requires
Service Connection Infrastructure of less than 10m in length, there is no additional incremental charge
for Service Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the Standard Connection
Charge [Domestic Development (>100 Units)] for water and wastewater in respect of each of the 120
units in the development. The developer will also be required to put in place refundable self lay financial
security. This is in respect of ‘self lay’ infrastructure that will be installed by the developer and vested in
Irish Water5.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 120 €1,708 - - €204,960
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Water) €204,960

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 120 €3,381 - - €405,720
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €405,720

Total Connection Charge €610,680

Self Lay Security Requirement No. of units Surety Amount Total

Water 120 €562 €67,440

Total Self Lay Security Requirement €134,880

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See the ‘Self-Lay Financial Security Arrangements for Vesting Assets’ document for further information:
https://www.water.ie/connections/information/connection-charges/Self-Lay-Financial-Security-Arrangements-for-Vesting-
Assets.pdf
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5. NON-DOMESTIC CONNECTIONS: WORKED EXAMPLES
________________________________________________________________________

Case Study 1 – hairdresser premises (water and wastewater)

This case study is of hairdressers premises requiring a water and wastewater connection. The boundary
of the property is located 7m from the existing mains/sewers. As the property requires Service
Connection Infrastructure of less than 10m in length, there is no additional incremental charge for
Service Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the Standard Connection
Charge [Non-Domestic Small] for water and wastewater.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 €2,272 - - €2,272
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Water) €2,272

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 1 €3,929 - - €3,929
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €3,929

Total Connection Charge €6,201

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Case Study 2 –convenience shop (water and wastewater)
Case Services Required No. of units Service Water pipe size WW pipe size
Study (premises) connection length (diameter) (diameter)
(m)
Water +
2 1 15 25mm 100mm
Wastewater

This case study is of a convenience shop requiring a water and wastewater connection. The boundary of
the property is located 15m from the existing mains/sewers. As the property requires Service
Connection Infrastructure of greater than 10m in length, there will be an additional incremental charge
for Service Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the Standard Connection
Charge [Non-Domestic Small] for water and wastewater and an incremental charge for additional
Service Connection Infrastructure.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 €2,272 - - €2,272
Incremental Charge - Service
- - 5 €358 €1,790
Connection
Connection Charge (Water) €4,062

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 1 €3,929 - - €3,929
Incremental Charge - Service
- - 5 €442 €2,210
Connection
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €6,139

Total Connection Charge €10,201

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Case Study 3 – new large supermarket (water and wastewater)
Case Services Required No. of units Service Water pipe size WW pipe size
Study (premises) connection length (diameter) (diameter)
(m)
Water +
3 1 9 100mm 225mm
Wastewater

A new large supermarket located in a retail park where the boundary of the premises is 9m from the
public mains/sewer. As the property requires Service Connection Infrastructure of less than 10m in
length, there will be no additional incremental charge for Service Connection Infrastructure. The
customer will therefore be charged the Standard Connection Charge [Non-Domestic Medium 3] for
water and [Non-Domestic Medium 2] for wastewater.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 €46,179 - - €46,179
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Water) €46,179

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 1 €226,571 - - €226,571
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €226,571

Total Connection Charge €272,750

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Case Study 4 – non-domestic premises that includes shop with a residential unit
overhead (water and wastewater)
Case Services Required No. of units Service Water pipe size WW pipe size
Study (premises) connection length (diameter) (diameter)
(m)
Water +
4 1 9 25mm 100mm
Wastewater

This case study is of a new non-domestic premises that includes a retail unit on the ground floor with a
residential unit overhead. A water and wastewater connection is required to service this premises.
Additional connections will not be required to facilitate the residential unit, single water and
wastewater connections will serve the entire property.

The boundary of the properties is located 9m from the existing mains/sewers. As the property requires
Service Connection Infrastructure less than 10m in length, there will be no additional incremental
charge for Service Connection Infrastructure. The customer will therefore be charged the Standard
Connection Charge [Single Domestic Small] for water and wastewater.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 €2,272 - - €2,272
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Water) €2,272

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 1 €3,929 - - €3,929
Incremental Charge - Service
- - - - -
Connection
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €3,929

Total Connection Charge €6,201

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Case Study 5 – mixed use connection (e.g. a retail unit with multiple apartments
above) (water and wastewater)
Service Water pipe
Case Services No. of units WW pipe size
Unit type connection size
Study Required (premises) (diameter)
length (m) (diameter)
Water +
5 1 retail Retail unit 4 25mm 100mm
Wastewater
Water +
5 10 apartments Apartment 4 25mm 100mm
Wastewater

This case study is of a mixed-use development that includes a retail unit on the ground floor with ten
apartments overhead. Water and wastewater connections are required to service these premises. In
such cases, separate connections will be required for the individual domestic and non-domestic
premises within the boundary of the development. The boundary of the premises is located 4m from
the existing mains/sewers. As the property requires Service Connection Infrastructure less than 10m in
length, there will be no additional incremental charge for Service Connection Infrastructure. The non-
domestic customer will be charged the Standard Connection Charge [Non-Domestic Small] for water
and wastewater. The domestic customers will be charged the Standard Connection Charge [Domestic
Development (6 - 100 Units)] for water and wastewater in respect of each of the 10 units in the
development.

Additional
No. of Standard Unit
Connection Charge Unit Type length Total
units Charge charge
(meters)
Water
Standard Connection Charge 1 Retail €2,272 - - €2,272
Standard Connection Charge 10 Apartment €1,848 - - €18,480
Incremental Charge - Service Connection
Connection Charge (Water) €20,752

Wastewater
Standard Connection Charge 1 Retail €3,929 - - €3,929
Standard Connection Charge 10 Apartment €3,499 - - €34,990
Incremental Charge - Service Connection
Connection Charge (Wastewater) €38,919

Total Connection Charge €59,671

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