The Anti Austerity Alliance has called for water charges to be abolished – completely.

An expert report on the future of water is due out this week. It is expected to recommend that the State absorb the cost of household water use.

AAA TD Mick Barry (pictured) said that if the charges do not go, they are ready to take action.

“We need to have the abolition of the water charges, not their amendment,” he said.

“Why keep a water charges regime in place at all, if only a tiny minority are going to pay them? This is clearly all about keeping a foot in the door (and) establishing a basic principle in order to increase the price and the scope at a later date.

“The Anti Austerity Alliance would be asking people to get their marching boots polished up over the Christmas period, because I think there may be a need for massive protests on the street in the New Year.”