Metered water on agenda

Waikato ratepayers could soon find themselves paying for their water.

That's one of the prospects being put forward by Environment Waikato, which aims to change the way regional water resources are allocated.

In a report drafted by the regional council, metering water is suggested for the first time, with water restrictions also in the pipeline.

Metering already exists in Wellington, and Auckland ratepayers pay about $1.18/cu m for residential water and $2.81/cu m for sewerage water.

Parts of the Waikato district also pay for water, including areas around Te Kauwhata and rural properties in the southern territory.

District council assets manager Gary Allis said the charges at present stood at a standard $210 a year plus 75c/cu m.

Environment Waikato is in the initial stages of redrafting rules over how water resources are allocated.

The council says changes are necessary because of concerns about mounting pressure on water resources.

Environment Waikato says the region faces four major water issues:

* There are uncertainties over how much water is being used in the region.

* There is an increasing demand for the resource and more competition for it, meaning criteria over who gets priority need to be developed.

* There are concerns over inefficient use of the resource.

* There are no allocation limits on groundwater sources.

Environmental planner Bruce McAuliffe said although the regional council could not directly charge people and industry for water, it could "encourage" district or city councils to charge for it.

- NZPA