Have Your Say On Manukau Wastewater Tariff

Manukau City ( 11 September, 2007) The people of Manukau are invited to give their views on Manukau Water Limited's current wastewater tariff structure, along with any comments or suggestions on how it might be set up in the future.

People can logon to www.manukauwater.co.nz to see why the review is happening and how they can contribute to it. The website answers a series of questions on the wastewater tariff structure and details how people can get in touch with the company to give their views. The easiest way for most people to contribute will be to email the company at TariffReview@manukauwater.co.nz, or write to Tariff Review, Manukau Water Limited, Private Bag 94010, East Tamaki, Manukau 2240.

"The review gives everyone an opportunity to give their view on what they like, or dislike, about the wastewater tariff structure," said Manukau Water Limited chief executive Raveen Jaduram.

"There are costs associated with providing the wastewater service and the tariff structure is the way in which we recover our costs from customers," Mr Jaduram said. "As there are different types of customers, such as domestic, community groups, small and large businesses, we need to determine a basis to share the costs," he said.

"If the tariff structure ultimately changes then it would alter the way our costs of providing wastewater services are shared across our customers, so it is important that people have their say," Mr Jaduram said.

Manukau Water Limited is working to prepare a report on tariff options to its shareholder the Manukau City Council by December. The tariff structure has to be approved by the Council and if they want to make any changes they will need to undertake a formal consultation process with the people of Manukau. That consultation would occur in early 2008 and if the tariff structure was to change it would occur from July 1, 2008.

"Meanwhile we have commenced our review process," Mr Jaduram said. "We are engaging with our customers and seeking their views and opinions. We will continue to do so over the following weeks and if people have suggestions or comments we would appreciate them by October 15, 2007," he said.

Since it became a council-controlled organisation on 3 July, 2006, Manukau Water Limited has created transparency in its wastewater charges. Many customers were previously unaware of what they paid for these services and the review is an opportunity for customers to tell the company what they think about the tariff structure.

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