The Network Upgrade Charge (NUC) was introduced in 2003 to provide funding to upgrade and develop Auckland City's water and wastewater networks to accommodate the city's growth. The charge is applicable to all new connections to the network and to existing properties which are redeveloped, increasing demand on the network.
All property owners or developers applying for new connections to the network are liable for this charge. This also includes increasing the size of a water meter or service connection to cater for increased demand from a development If you are changing the use or extending the use of a non residential property, you may be liable for a NUC.
As Auckland City grows, so does the demand for our water and wastewater services. It is estimated that over the next 20 years demand will grow by around 64,000 Household Unit Equivalents (HUEs), putting huge pressure on our infrastructure. The NUC removes the financial burden from existing customers, and means that the necessary upgrade costs are applied to the developments that will contribute to this increase in demand on the system.
Key facts
- It is a one off fee applied to any new developments connecting to Metrowater's networks or to existing properties that are being developed and increasing demand on the network
- All NUCs are assessed on the number of HUEs applicable to the site being developed. A Household Unit Equivalent is a standard measure of the demand on the water and wastewater networks (refer to sections 3.3 ed. A Household Unit Equivalent policy document.)
- A development is any new household unit or new, changed or extended, non residential property
- A Household Unit is a building or part of a building intended to be used as an independent residence; or a self contained unit that includes a kitchen or bathroom facilities of any nature
- For more information please refer to our Network Upgrade Policy, New Connection Pack, Questions and Answers, or email us: info@metrowater.co.nz
