Legislation and EU policy

National legislation

The CRU’s role in regulating Uisce Éireann (previously Irish Water) is set out in national legislation.

The following pieces of legislation capture the key provisions in respective of regulating Uisce Éireann.

EU policy

There is no governing EU legislation that provides for independent economic regulation of the water sector. However, the following EU Directives set out obligations for Ireland to meet environmental and quality standards in its water services:

These state the environmental and quality standards that Ireland must meet in its water services.

These include the:

• Water Framework Directive (WFD)
• Drinking Water Regulations
• Bathing Water Directive
• Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires Member States to protect and improve water quality in all waters. It also requires Member States to maintain water pricing policies:

• that incentivise efficient use of water
• recover costs for water services in line with the polluter-pays principle.