Health concerns at council water restriction plans

A Northland council's plan to recover $1.3 million in bad debts by restricting water supplies could raise health risks, a doctor fears.

The Far North District Council is about to re-introduce a policy of reducing water flow to properties with metered water supplies that are well behind with water payments.

Council spokesman Rick McCall said bad debtors owed the council nearly $1.3 million for water and the policy would hopefully inconvenience them enough to pay their bills.

The debtors would get two warnings and then a hand-delivered notice before restrictions were imposed.

But Northland medical officer of health Dr Jonathan Jarman said he had concerns water restrictions could lead to reduced hygiene and cause gastric illnesses.

He said a health survey had found Kaikohe, Kawakawa and Moerewa had high levels of gastric illnesses, particularly among children.

Mr McCall said when the council used the policy in the past, bad water debts totalled less than $500,000.

"But in the past 18 months since we haven't been able to restrict water, the debt has soared to $1.3 million.

That's nearly triple in 18 months and that's why the council wants to re-introduce it."

Mr McCall said restricted flows would still allow a householder to use just as much water as previously, but it would take a lot longer to do so.

The policy has been attacked by the Water Pressure Group (Auckland).

Spokeswoman Penny Bright urged Far North residents to fight the policy.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)