Meters will not be installed in every home in the country when water charges are introduced in 2014, the Government has admitted.

Phil Hogan, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Fergus O’Dowd, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for NewERA have announced a six week public consultation on a suite of fundamental reforms of the water sector which the Government are planning to introduce.

A report outlining proposals for the setting up of a State company to manage water supplies is expected to be published by the Government this week.

The Oireachtas committee on the environment is to consider asking the Comptroller and Auditor General to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the long-term provision of water services.

Inappropriately sited or poorly maintained septic tanks have been responsible for serious pollution of drinking water, national heritage body An Taisce has said.

Interest free loans should be offered to rural dwellers who face costly septic tank upgrades in order to comply with new Government measures, according to Irish Rural Link.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Science Gallery will hold an hour-long free public event this coming Thursday evening (12 January) in the Science Gallery.

At least 5,500km of lead-pipe water supplies will have to be removed by next year at a cost in the region of €500 million due to health concerns.

Water charges will not be levied on the owners of private domestic wells, the EU Commission has confirmed.

Cavan's ill-deserved reputation for meanness has been well and truly scotched by the approach the county has taken to the noxious issue of septic tanks.