4 February 2019

Media: Daily Post

Topic: Summer water consumption

Enquiry

I'm just seeking comment about the water usage in Rotorua.

Is the council going to make water metered for households?

Is this something that has been discussed?

Further questions from reporter:

1. When will the next review be for the possibility of metering urban supplies?
2. What things are all the things taken into consideration when metering is reviewed?
3. Where do the funds come from to ensure people do not pay for water metering in urban areas and how much is it per year? Why are rural areas not included in this?
4. What is meant exactly by 'cost effectiveness' ?

Many have expressed concerns over the fact they have been conserving water while they see their neighbours filling inflatable pools and watering their gardens continuously.

Response

From Rotorua Lakes Council, Water Operations Manager, Eric Cawte:

"Our water usage has become more manageable over the weekend and our pumps have coped better with current demand. We're pleased to see our reservoirs almost refilling to usual levels but remind people to remain mindful about how much water they're using, and to avoid any water wastage, especially as the weather seems set to stay fine throughout the week. More information about Rotorua's water supply is available here.

"Council's current policy is to not meter residential properties in the urban water supply area.

"This is periodically reviewed as part of our water management and water conservation strategy. Any future decisions on water metering would be addressed within the scope of Council's long term planning and would take into consideration a range of factors including cost effectiveness.

"The urban water supply area covers properties in the city, Eastern and Ngongotaha areas. Water usage is metered on all properties in rural areas and only commercial properties in the urban area."

Response to further questions - From Infrastructure Group Manager Stavros Michael:

Regarding calls for water conservation, what we're currently asking people to do - which is something we encourage people to do every summer - is to ensure they do not use or waste water unnecessarily. We're not saying they can't use water or can't water their gardens, we're asking that people remain mindful of the need to conserve water where they can to ensure we don't run into problems. Where the supply of available water reduces to unacceptable levels Council would apply a more enforcement focused approach.

Our water management and water conservation strategy is due for review in 2021, as part of work aligned to development of the next long-term plan (LTP). At that time all broad infrastructure strategies will be reviewed and following public consultation, decisions made.

Factors that will be taken into consideration in reviewing metering as an option would include:

• Access to secure sources of water;
• Current consented quantity of available sources, current water use and forecasted future demand;
• Water quality reliability (does it consistently and reliably meet water standards);
• Any risks related to water supply ownership;
• Benefits of metering (how would it contribute to water supply security, quantity and reliability);
• Costs (how would the capital and operating costs of metering compare to investment in other considerations like improving security, storage, reliability, quality of water supply).

Any change to the current water supply policy would ultimately be a decision for elected members, based on recommendations and factors to be considered.

The cost of water supply is funded through targeted rates:

• There is a fixed annual charge for water for all households connected to Council's water reticulation system.
• The owners of properties which can connect to the system but choose not to are charged a fixed "availability charge".
• Those on meters are charged a fixed rate and a consumption charge which is based on the amount of water they use.
• There are no water charges for rural properties that have their own on-site water supply.

Rural and commercial properties that are connected to Council's reticulated system are metered to reflect the higher cost associated with providing water to these more remote areas and the generally higher-than-average demand. This is about ensuring a fair pricing policy, ie those who use more will pay more.