Resistance to water meters ‘building up head of steam’

Resistance to the installation of water meters in the city is building up a head of steam, according to anti-water charges activists.

Irish Water and its contractors chose Knocknacarra as the first city area to begin installing meters and they have been visiting estates in the past three weeks.

In response opponents of the charges have been hosting ‘street meetings’ to embolden residents to unite against the installation of meters.

Right2Water Galway are helping residents to resist installation. They have organised 10 street meetings where residents against the charges meet to plan how they will oppose installation.

So far, up to 100 households have successfully resisted the installation of meters at their homes, and resistance is continuing. Three more informal ‘street meetings’ are planned on three different Knocknacarra estates this weekend.

Dette McLoughlin of Right2Water Galway agreed the level of resistance so far is smaller than the group had hoped but it is “gaining momentum”.

“Obviously we would prefer if it was more but the more people learn about it, the more they want to resist. A lot of people contacted us but by then it was too late, the meters were already installed. To those people I would say ‘don’t worry – resisting installation is just one step, what is really going to beat the charges is the boycott of payment’,” said Ms McLoughlin.

Right2Water Galway is not releasing the names of estates that are resisting – it is understood they do not want ‘outside’ or ‘professional protesters’ high-jacking the cause.

“This is very much about the residents themselves resisting the charges and we are assisting in that,” she said.

So far, all households in one estate in Knocknacarra have indicated they want the meters installed; and on another estate all but three homes have indicated that they do not want meters. Generally, a handful of homes are indicating resistance on each estate, and it varies from estate to estate.

Irish Water will be moving to other parts of the city in the coming months and Right2Water is trying to “stay one step ahead of them”, according to Ms McLoughlin.

The protest involves the householder being on-site, with or without placards, preventing contractors form installing the meters. If the resident is unable to do it or if they need moral support then volunteers from Right2Water Galway will help them. It also involves parking cars over the stopcock so that meters cannot be installed.

Protest are organised on a rota basis outside homes, and volunteers maintain a presence from 7.30am to 7.30pm.

“It is peaceful protest. There have been no confrontations and no stand-offs or anything like that. There have been no arrests and the Gardaí haven’t been called or anything. It is very peaceful,” she said.

She encouraged householders in Knocknacarra who want to resist the installation to text Galway Meter Watch, a dedicated phone-line, for assistance. The Galway Meter Watch number is: (087) 3857649.