Borewell & Water Rights Advice

Borewell and water rights advice in Ireland helps landowners understand their rights and obligations over wells, borewells and shared water supplies. We give you a written legal opinion on rights, restrictions and obligations. Wells, borewells and shared water sources can cause real disputes about ownership, supply and cost.

You can upload your folio, deeds, contract, photos or other documents through our secure link; a solicitor would then typically review everything before preparing advice. There is no hourly billing: the price is fixed for the service described. Property and land issues are usually easier and cheaper to resolve early, before a sale, mortgage or family transfer is held up. The advice is based on Irish law and practice and on the documents you provide, so the more complete your documents, the more precise the advice can be.

What’s included

• Folio review
• Water rights opinion
• Recommended approach
• Written summary
• 30-minute call
• Work of this kind is carried out by a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. We are not a solicitor’s practice and do not provide it — to instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.

Who this is for

• Neighbours sharing a well or borewell
• Buyers of rural property with a private water supply
• Landowners asked to allow access to water
• People in a dispute about the cost of a shared supply

How it works

1. Find a solicitor through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory and send them the basic details and any existing documents or correspondence.
2. Complete a short questionnaire about your circumstances.
3. A solicitor would then typically review the documents and prepare written advice.
4. You receive your written advice by email and, where included, a follow-up call to ask questions.

Frequently asked questions

How much does water rights advice cost in Ireland?

This page is a free guide — nothing on it is for sale. Solicitors set their own fees for this work and must give you a written costs estimate (a section 150 letter) before starting. Get quotes through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.

Can a right to water be registered?

Some water rights can be registered as easements on a folio. Others may exist by long use. The opinion explains your position.

What if there is no written agreement for a shared well?

Rights may still exist through long use, but disputes are more likely. A written agreement is often recommended.

For more on property, land and conveyancing, see our Property & Conveyancing in Ireland guide.

If you would like to be told when solicitor services are available again on this site, you can join our no-fee waiting list. To instruct a solicitor now, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.