Why Water Meters?

The Central Otago District Council is installing water meters to better:

• manage demand for treated water
• allocate the costs of producing water
• protect the water supply

Reducing Water Demand

Annual water use in Central Otago is very high. The hot, dry climate means many people irrigate their lawns and gardens. During summer months more than 75% of the potable water supply (treated water) is used for irrigation.

The cost of producing treated water is high. If demand for water can be reduced, the cost of treating water will also reduce.  Less will need to be spent on new treatment plants, pipes and reservoirs to provide for greater demand. That saving will be a big saving for the whole community.

Water meters encourage people to be aware of the actual cost of water, to think about their water use and to be careful not to waste it.  In some ways a water account is similar to an electricity account. Many people are careful not to waste electricity in order to keep their electricity bill low.

Paying For Water

All Central Otago ratepayers pay a water rate. The water rate includes an allocation of water. That water has already been paid for. When use exceeds the allocation there is an extra cost to pay to produce that water. Either the person using the water can pay that cost or it can be shared across all ratepayers.

Water meters mean those who use large amounts of water pay the cost of producing that extra water. The alternative is to share that extra cost across all ratepayers. Imagine if there was no metering on the power supply and you paid an average price. Big users may think that is a great idea - but is it fair?

Keeping Our Water Safe

Backflow preventers are built into water meters to keep the water supply safe. Backflow preventers stop contaminants being sucked into the water supply system.

These "backflows" may not happen very often, but can be serious. A sudden drop in pressure in the water system, for example, can cause water to flow the wrong way through a hose connected to a tap. In one case in the US a contractor had a hose in a barrel of insecticide. This got sucked into the water supply. Fortunately no one got sick, but it caused US$40 million worth of damage to the water supply system and water appliances.

Water Charges for 2010/2011 Rating Year

*    GST on the uniform charge is applied at 14.375% (12.5% from 1.7.10 to 30.9.10 and 15% from 1.10.10 to 30.6.11

**  GST on the excess water charge per cubic meter will be charged at the GST rate applying as at the date of the invoice, ie 12.5% for invoices raised from 1.7.10 to 30.9.10 and 15% for invoices raised from 1.10.10 to 30.6.11