It looks like practically no one is going to have to pay for water.

The Oireachtas Committee on funding has decided that only those who waste their allowance will be charged – and wastage has been defined at 1.7 times more than the average use, which is 70% over the average usage.

A report agreed by the Committee this afternoon will go before the Government next week.

According to RTE News just 8% of households will be affected and there will be medical exemptions.

This accounts for just 70-71,000 households.

The water meters will be used to assess usage.