Far North water the most expensive

Dripping taps are especially expensive in the Far North. Photo / File

The Far North has the least affordable water, although the district council spends more than its budget for delivering it, according to a Water New Zealand report comparing 50 of the country's 77 councils.

Far North residents were spending four per cent of their income on water, including storm and waste water, more than double that of most people in other districts. Last year FNDC spent $262,000 on water supply operations that was not budgeted for or covered by revenue.

Jacqui Robson, general manager for infrastructure and asset management, admitted that treated water in the district was costly, almost three times as expensive as in Auckland and double the cost in Tauranga, albeit on a par with Ruapehu and Tasman.

The report rated the Far North's water less affordable than Ruapehu or Tasman districts when compared to each area's average income, however, Ms Robson said the problem was the nature of water schemes in the Far North.

"This is chiefly due to the Far North District Council operating eight small, scattered water supply schemes, along with nine water treatment plants," she said.

"Other councils with expensive water also tend to operate several isolated and small water schemes."

The council collected $8.2 million from water charges and targeted rates in last financial year, less than forecast as consumers used less water than in previous years. Each cubic metre cost consumers $3.06, with most councils charging less than $2 or including water costs in general rates.

The charges have not increased since 2013/14, despite the council claiming that costs had risen.

Local Government New Zealand, which commissioned the report, has set a threshold for water affordability at three per cent of household income. The Kaipara District Council also failed to meet that target.