Home / Non Domestic Water Metering / Charges Charges Reading Your Meter While meters will be read automatically, customers can monitor consumption and check readings on their own meters at all times. Water meters record consumption in 'cubic meters'. A cubic meter (m3) is 1000 litres or 220 galons. To take a meter reading you only need to note the digits with a black background on the meter dial, the digits with a red background can be ignored. All consumers of water for non domestic purposes will be charged on the basis of each cubic meter (m3) used. The meter will measure the amount of water supplied to the premises.   There will be a single countywide system of charging.   For premises connected to a public sewer the charge for wastewater (sewage/trade effluent)  will be incorporated into the bill. The volume of wastewater will be assumed to be equal to the quantity of clean water supplied to the premises.   A premises ID will be printed on each bill allowing the customer to call a dedicated helpline and have any queries addressed.   The charge for the Water Services provided to you by Cork County Council are based on a Volumetric charge plus an Administration Charge. Below is an explanation of these charges.   The charge on the invoice for a Metered Supply is made up of 2 elements. A charge based on consumption which is measured using a meter and charged based on a cubic meter volumetric rate.  Where customers also avail of waste water services, the charge is based on water in being equal to water out, unless otherwise determined.  In accordance with Government policy where there is a domestic element involved in the premises, a Domestic Allowance is applied by Cork County Council. An administration charge which covers the cost to the Council of the reading and servicing of the meter and also includes the costs involved in managing the customer's account in terms of issuing of Invoices, Reminders, Receipts etc, and also the collection of the related charges.  Meters are read 4 times a year and Invoices issued twice yearly.  More frequent reading of meters will facilitate the Council in providing an enhanced service to the customer and allows both the customer and Cork County Council identify issues such as leaks or substantial increases in consumption etc. at an early stage. Revenue raised through the supply of water and the collection/treatment of wastewater will be reinvested in the cost of the service (i.e. the cost of producing and supplying clean water and the cost of collecting/treating wastewater).   A portion of the income raised will contribute to the capital infrastructure required to deliver the service (i.e the construction of new water supply/ wastewater treatment plants). for more information click New Schemes Section.