April 17, 2012.

Cost of water to rise but by how much?

The cost of reticulated water will rise across the district, no matter which development option is eventually chosen, says Mayor Jenny Rowan.

“The current annual water charge of around $330 per household will rise to match the cost of maintenance and expanding the system to cope with increasing demand over future years.

“The question is: how much?

“Council staff have been looking at the impact of the Charging Regime Advisory Group’s recommendation for a 50% fixed charge and a 50% variable tariff structure, if we move to water meters.”

A fixed charge is the same as the line fee you pay for electricity. A variable charge is what you pay based on the amount of water you use.

“It is very clear from the chart attached that the lowest increase in water costs for the greatest number of residents will come from a staged river recharge of the Waikanae River coupled with the installation of water meters,” said Mayor Rowan.

“The most expensive option for most people will be if we build a dam in the near future.

“I encourage people to read the chart attached and see what examples best suit their situation.

“It is clear the decisive factor is whether you use reticulated water on a large garden and lawn. For a long time now we have been saying that this is not a wise use of reticulated water and the figures attached proves this.”

The examples available here are part of the material now available in a special summary that will appear in Kapiti News on April 18. The material will also be available on the Council website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz and in hard copy from Council’s Customer Service Centre at Kapiti Lights and our four libraries.

They will also be included in a special mail out to all ratepayers planned for late April.

The figures include GST and have been adjusted for inflation.

ENDS

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