West and north hit with higher water charges

A higher fixed charge for wastewater is part of council rates rises for West and north Auckland residents in the last year before Watercare Services sets retail water prices.

In setting its 3.8 per cent rate rise for 2010-11, Waitakere City Council has increased the uniform annual charge for wastewater from $419 to $430, including GST of 12.5 per cent.

This helps to lift an average home's total council rates by $128. North Shore City Council's sewage disposal rate has risen from $445 to $479, including GST.

The 7.7 per cent rise is part of the council's overall 5.5 per cent rates increase, which brings the average house rate from $1907, including GST, to $2013.

In the coming year, the council aims to spend $11.5 million for projects such as the Birkdale trunk sewer and the west Takapuna sewer upgrade.

The council says a 7 per cent rise in the price of tap water was to meet higher wholesale water costs from Watercare, as well as for upkeep and renewal of its water network.

From November 1, as part of the Super City reforms, Watercare takes over the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant and becomes the retailer of water and wastewater services for Auckland.

It will adopt the councils' water tariff until June 30 next year and the wastewater rate for a further year.

Auckland City's retailer, Metrowater, has put up its residential charges by 1.4 per cent and the fixed service charge from $79.92 a year to $81.04.

Manukau City Council's water company decided not to raise prices for 2010-11 because it had a $6 million surplus.