After an increase of 33% last year, Raglan water rates are set to go up again this year and go up further with the introduction of water meters next year. In the current 2011/12 year, Raglan residents are paying $357 a year for water, up from $267.91 the year before. Information provided by the Council shows that Raglan residents use on average 270 litres /head/day. The charges shown in the Waikato District Council’s Long Term Plan for water meter charges are a flat rate charge of $111.64 and a usage charge of $1.84 per cubic metre. WDC’s Water GM, Mr Bax says that will work out as an average of $600 a year for Raglan residents.
Research undertaken by the Raglan Website shows that water rates have been going up over the last five years by amounts well above the cost of living index. In 2007, the total annual charge for water was $200. Now in 2013, the base rate alone is to be $111.64. The increases from $200 in 2007 to the $600 average in 2013 under the metering regime, work out to be a tripling of the water rates for Raglan residents.
Raglan residents were promised by WDC that when meters were introduced, frugal use of water would be rewarded by a lower water bill. That seems impossible with the huge increases now proposed. Although holiday home owners may see a reduction if they only use their baches a few weekends a year.
The District Council says that the increases are necessary to pay for higher water standards being imposed by the Government.
Hi Roger,
Interesting article. I am currently working for Whaingaroa Environment Centre on a water conservation project with some Raglan West houses. I would be interested to read the Waikato District Council’s Long Term Plan mentioned above – do you have a copy that you could send me?
Many thanks,
Anna
(also off PiwiWiwi Campervans)
I don’t have a copy of the LTP. My understanding is that WDC are still waiting on their printer for copies.
You can read it online at http://www.waikatodc.govt.nz/Have-your-say/Public-consultation/Long-Term-Plan.aspx
“Information provided by the Council shows that Raglan residents use on average 270 litres /head/day” is not quite true. What Richard wrote was that the average was “more like” 270 than like the average 637 for all users. That could mean as much as 448, or an average charge of $924. We should have a better idea of the true figure once Richard tells us what the big business users are metered at. Remarkably, WDC doesn’t have that information readily at hand, yet has set a rate without knowing what it will collect!
My understanding is that 270 litres / head/ day is the design figure used by WDC’s water engineers. What the actual usage may be is different from this. Are you suggesting John that it could be a lot higher?
I’m just looking at Richard’s email, which avoids giving a definitive answer on average use. We’ll only know when we learn the amount used by the big metered users and can deduct that from the 637 average. The way Richard has worded his response, the average Raglan water bill in 2013 could be as much as $924.