No showers policy for debtors

Health Minister Annette King is keeping an eye on the health implications of a Far North District Council policy to restrict water supplies to bad debtors.

The council is about to reintroduce a policy of reducing water flow to properties with metered supplies that are well behind with water payments.

Bad debtors owe the council nearly $1.3 million for water and the council hopes the inconvenience of the policy will get the debtors to pay their bills.

Debtors will get two warnings and then a hand-delivered notice before restrictions are imposed as a last resort.

Health professionals around the country are concerned about the plan, and Ms King said she was being "kept informed" of the situation.

"But it is up to the Far North District Council to find a long-term solution with the families," she said.

Council general manager Clive Manley said health standards dictated that people receive a minimum of 90 litres of water a day and households with the restrictions would get more than that but would be inconvenienced.

"They will always be able to flush the toilets, but they can't have showers," Mr Manleysaid.

"We share [the health professionals'] concerns and would never create an unsanitary situation."

- NZPA