Water Charge Drives Reuse Innovation In Ireland

A pair of Irish students is marketing a recycled water device to Irish cattle farmers, angling it as a money-saver as the public begins paying water fees in this country for the first time.

"The introduction of the water charges has been one of the most divisive and highly-criticized measures in recent Irish society. But two students from Desmond College in Limerick have created a device that has the potential to take some of the financial strain off farmers' shoulders," Joe.ie reported.

Eoghan McMahon and Shane Lee say their device could save farmers a lot of money. The machine recycles water used during the milking process on farms. Dirty water is treated with UV light, then funneled through sand, gravel and charcoal to clean it more.

"The whole purifying process only takes 15-20 minutes for about 7 liters of water, however the speed, volume and time can vary depending on the size of the machine that's required," the report continued. "The creative inventors suggest that up to 115 liters can be processed at a given time."

"This device only took two weeks to develop, from initial concept to finished article, and the materials cost just €50, excluding the UV light," the report said.

The water is fit for livestock but not human consumption, according to the report.

Is Ireland the perfect market for recycled water tech? The public is frustrated with a government decision to begin charging for water, which had previously been free.

A money-saving measure, the new charges were a condition of a bailout deal in 2010 when the Irish government sought billions in funding from the European Union and the International Money Fund just to stay up and running. Previously, Irish residents did not pay for tap water.

"Environment Minister Alan Kelly said charges would be capped at 160 euros (£128) for single adult households and 260 euros (£208) for others. Water conservation grants of 100 euros a year (£80) mean the effective costs will be 60 euros (£48) and 160 euros (£128) respectively. The starting date was 1 January, with the first bills to be issued in April," BBC News reported.

Protests have erupted around the country.

"As anger mounted over the installation of water meters, thousands of people braved wet and miserable weather and took to the streets of Dundalk for the Right2Water Protest, one of several held around the country," the Irish Independent reported in January.

For more on water reuse, check out Water Online's Water Reuse Solution Center.