Targeted rate set for water

Users of Kaipara District Council's Mangawhai, Dargaville, Maungaturoto, Glinks Gully, and Ruawai water supplies are being charged for their water under a new rating system under the Long Term Plan 2012/2022. 

In the past, consumers connected to the water system have paid the same price for every cubic metre of water used and have previously not paid a fixed charge. 

From this month they now pay a two-tiered rate involving a charge for the first cubic metre, or part thereof, followed by a much smaller amount for subsequent cubic metres. 

For example, Dargaville consumers will now pay $60 for the first cubic metre then $1.65 per cubic metre following. For Maungaturoto the figures are $222 and $2.34 (Station Village) or $1.81 (Township) respectively. 

The cubic metre rate has been reduced to reflect the fixed rate proportion being introduced. 

Also, with the exception of Mangawhai, the council has introduced a new connectable charge for properties that could connect to the relevant supplies but have not in the past been paying a contribution to the service. 

This fixed charge is based on 75 percent of the charge for the first cubic metre on connected properties. In Dargaville this equates to $45, Maungaturoto Station Village and Township $166.50, Ruawai $156.50 and Glinks Gully $261.75. 

The connectable charge will not apply in Mangawhai where the council does not intend to provide a reticulated water supply service beyond those properties already connected. 

The changes, which are part of the council's Long Term Plan 2012/2022, came into effect in January and will be reflected in water accounts from now on. 

Council’s aim is to standardise the nature of charging across the water networks and to have some consistency with the charging of water. 

The two-tier meter charges ensure metered properties pay a minimum contribution towards council's costs of providing town water supply to those networks. This previously occurred for particular water supply networks and was in addition to the metered charges. 

Properties considered ‘metered’ and subject to the new two-step consumption charges are those connected to the relevant supply as at 30 June 2012, regardless of how much water is used. 

Other properties which are affected by the connectable charge include land not connected as at 30 June 2012 but within 30 metres of the network and capable of being effectively connected.

Water supply charges around the Kaipara district