The Dealer knows that water is one of the world’s most precious resources, but an Irish Water bill I saw this week beats all.

The charge for a new build rural house was for connecting to a county council water supply in the south of the country.

The council pipe runs past the proposed new house, approximately six feet from the new entrance.

The fee? A jaw-dropping €68,000.

The envelope should have come with a health warning.

I sense a call to the local water diviner and well driller will be the next move.