Media release
15 May 2008

Water and wastewater charges in Auckland City to increase from July 1
Metrowater today announced that water and wastewater charges will increase by an average 5.1% from July 1.

Metrowater Chairman Ross Keenan said the increase – which is mostly due to rising wholesale water costs and wastewater charges from Watercare – will add less than a dollar a week to the average household in Auckland City.

“These region-wide increases in costs for wholesale water and wastewater services have been well-signalled by Watercare to fund capital investment to meet the needs of our growing population and demand from industry.”

Other factors in this year’s increase were rising interest and depreciation costs relating to Metrowater’s capital works programme; and the operational expenditure focused on improving service levels and reducing leakage from the city’s water supply network.

Mr Keenan said there was a direct payback from this investment in renewal of ageing pipes and repairing leaks – with a net reduction in wholesale water purchases over the summer months at a time of increasing water usage.

“What this means in a practical sense is that we’ve been plugging the holes in the pipes faster than consumption has been increasing. These are big wins – in this financial year we’ve already cut annual water losses by around 500 million litres.”

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For further information contact:
Linda Danen
09 624 4804