Businesses right across Clare face having their water supply cut off in the coming weeks due to non payment of rates.
It’s the stark warning from County Council Officals who say some of the outstanding bills date back to 2007.
The water service charges range from 600 euro to 42,000 euro and relate to businesses in Ennis and Shannon, as well as in towns and villages across East, West and North Clare.
The businesses facing disconection include a Hotel, Hairdresser, Publican, Farm, Butcher and Service Station,
Clare County Council says they have all received between four and six payment reminders each along with individual visits from personnel at the local authority.
Water charges across Ireland’s 34 Local Authority areas are levied based on the volume of water provided to non-domestic premises and are generally based on consumption where a meter has been installed.
In a statement to Clare FM a spokesperson for the council said the businesses that face being cut off in the coming weeks haven’t paid outstanding bills or agreed to a payment arrangement to clear the liability.
The spokesperson added that "Having endeavoured to get engagement from the businesses concerned the local authority cannot continue to provide these services and the disconnection to the affected traders is being carried out in accordance with Local Government Legislation.”
The council is also warning that other disconnections are anticipated in the coming months.