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Thread ID: 128922	2013-01-23 22:44:00	Watercare Rort	pctek (84)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1324640	2013-01-31 21:33:00	3. The quote given to you covers much more than the cost of the meter, back flow device or pipe installation: applying for road traffic diversion / closure or for tree removal resource consent might be necessary when digging out to the water main, obtaining underground service plans from other utility companies (e.g. electrical, gas, telephone and fibre optic lines), excavating down to the water main in the street. --- Hope that the above will shed some light as to the reasons for the high cost of irrigation meters. Is it necessary for a relatively simple house garden to have a completely separate connection to the main with industrial strength back flow prevention? All of the activities that this supply will be used for are currently fed from the existing connection. I think more meters will add more problems than they will solve. Maybe the allowance for gardens should be revised eg if you can show that the property has a garden (not an apartment or concrete backyard) you could pay for a variance.	PaulD (232)
1324641	2013-01-31 21:40:00	Is it necessary for a relatively simple house garden to have a completely separate connection to the main with industrial strength back flow prevention? All of the activities that this supply will be used for are currently fed from the existing connection. I think more meters will add more problems than they will solve. Maybe the allowance for gardens should be revised eg if you can show that the property has a garden (not an apartment or concrete backyard) you could pay for a variance. Explain that to Watercare......	pctek (84)
1324642	2013-01-31 21:49:00	Got this this morning too: Hi, I was quite surprised to read an article in the Herald this morning concerning your issue with Watercare. If I had been made aware that you were also speaking with the Herald, we still would’ve been interested in doing the story but, now, as the story has broken, it’s probably best if we leave it there. A pity really, I was looking at putting together a two-part magazine length feature to run across all of our publications and covering the issue in more depth than in a short newspaper article. Good luck with your efforts, though and do let us know how you get on. Thanks, Jon (Garden NZ, Times.co.nz)	pctek (84)
1324643	2013-01-31 21:52:00	Wednesday, 8 April 2009, 11:56 am Press Release: New Zealand Government Watercare To Be Regional Water Provider Hon Rodney Hide - Minister of Local Government Wednesday, April 8 2009 Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide today confirmed that the transition to the new structure will result in one regional water company for the Auckland region. "The transition process will result in the new Auckland Council becoming the owner of Watercare Services Ltd, which will assume statutory responsibility for the delivery of integrated water and wastewater services in urban areas," Mr Hide said. "This was recommended by the Royal Commission and the Government strongly concurred with this recommendation at the Cabinet meeting on Monday. "The last remaining substantive decision regarding water and wastewater services provision is whether or not Watercare should also be given responsibility for dealing with regional stormwater. I expect a final decision from Cabinet on this matter before the end of the month. "Watercare is a publicly-owned entity and our intention is that it will remain in public ownership under the umbrella of the new Auckland Council. "A key driver for the Government's decisions was to ensure there was better management of regional assets for the Auckland region over the next 50 years," Mr Hide said.	pctek (84)
1324644	2013-01-31 21:53:00	Got this this morning too: Hi, I was quite surprised to read an article in the Herald this morning concerning your issue with Watercare. If I had been made aware that you were also speaking with the Herald, Is there any forum that you haven't hit yet? :D	PaulD (232)
1324645	2013-02-01 01:22:00	To PaulD and pctek: in regards to the backflow prevention device being installed on an irrigation meter, and its annual inspection by Watercare (current fee: $150), I absolutely agree with you that it does not make any sense for a small - or even medium size - "home" garden. However, irrigation meters were first introduced for commercial operations, e.g. greenhouses, orchards, etc. Ideally Watercare should have another option for residential property owners, where the risk of industrial chemical contamination - in case of backflow - is pretty nil. That's a good suggestion. ---///--- And customers’ feedbacks, including on forum like this one, are important: Watercare has started a trial on rainwater tank metering following outcry from customers on tank supply because some of them – obviously careful to conserve water – are charged a fixed annual wastewater fee higher than it would be if measured against their actual water usage. Watercare will be offering them the option to have their tank water usage metered and their wastewater outflow based on their real water usage. ---///--- In regards to the allowance for having a garden: did you know that Watercare’s customers living in flats / apartments pay wastewater based on 95% of their water consumption? That’s because most of the water coming in an apartment block must come out via the sewer and be treated. So, yes, “garden allowance” is already included in your bill: wastewater cost is based on 78,5% of the water you consume, as pctek mentioned, allowing 21.5% of the water being used for gardening, pool evaporation, etc. Of course it is an average and some households might use more or less water for watering their gardens so that’s open for debate. Also we don’t water much our gardens in the winter in Auckland, but we still get this 21.5% ‘rebate’ on wastewater in the winter months, even though most of the water we consume in the rainy months becomes wastewater. In an ideal world, wastewater would be metered like water consumption is, and charged accordingly, but – apart from the obvious technical and health & safety issues of measuring sewage – it would introduce even more meters, not a good thing as mentioned by PaulD above. ---///--- P.S.: I pay my water bills in full (no discount), and I had to stop watering my garden recently too, due to the cost that is now fully apparent on my monthly bills (wastewater not included in rates anymore), so I understand your frustration pctek.	Watercare_Insider (16998)
1324646	2013-02-01 01:40:00	this should be interesting	Gobe1 (6290)
1324647	2013-02-01 02:08:00	I absolutely agree with you that it does not make any sense for a small - or even medium size - "home" garden . Ideally Watercare should have another option for residential property owners, where the risk of industrial chemical contamination - in case of backflow - is pretty nil . ---///--- Watercare has started a trial on rainwater tank metering following outcry from customers on tank supply . ---///--- wastewater cost is based on 78,5% of the water you consume, allowing 21 . 5% of the water being used for gardening, pool evaporation, etc . . Also we don’t water much our gardens in the winter in Auckland, but we still get this 21 . 5% ‘rebate’ on wastewater in the winter months, ---///--- P . S . : I pay my water bills in full (no discount), and I had to stop watering my garden recently too, due to the cost that is now fully apparent on my monthly bills (wastewater not included in rates anymore), so I understand your frustration pctek . So they should . Why wait until there was an outcry? True, but 2/3's of my water is being used on the garden for the season, that would be fine if it worked out, but it doesn't . You pay your bills? SO? So do I, and until the last one I was in credit too . Go check, bet you don't get too many customers who do that . Not that there is any prompt pay discount, unlike Power Companies do .	pctek (84)
1324648	2013-02-01 07:23:00	Watercare is owned by the council, I should hope it doesn't try to make a profit. 2 million in lawyers bills is enough of ratepayer money as it is. Backflow device or not, it still doesn't add up to $1498. I priced it. And it can't return through your valves anyway, something your engineer knows. I couldn't care less what happens overseas. Auckland is one of the only regions in NZ charging a percentage of water use as wastewater. As it used to be a fixed charge, now you charge people with water tanks, people not putting water down the drain, etc this is a massive increase. Business charges are even worse. This is the point - the wastewater. As you know I am not the only one to comment on this. You have no interest in people who are not using the drain for all water, and I don't see why we are expected to have to go through all this hassle to prove it anyway, it's obvious from the difference in bills. And as for sucking water back up the hose into your water system, this could potnetially occur now from our taps, how ridiculous. And to have a registered plumber (which you yourselves use in various locations to do this sort of thing) and then paying an inspection/approval fee, is not any issue I can see. Husband was talking with some today who rang, it could be done with handtools, there are no trees as you know, nor would traffic be an issue either. It's just to make it difficult for the householders and charge excessive prices. Nor did you tell us - only the Herald reporter - about you requirement to have this second meter inspected annually which we would be billed for. Explain that one. You don't do this on my current meter. Anyway I am sick of arguing, you have an excuse for everything and we know we all have no choice and must pay whatever you feel like charging regardless. Did you see the article about the guy who produces ice. Virtually none of the water used goes down the drain and yet the prats weren't prepared to alter their stance.	mikebartnz (21)
1324649	2013-02-01 08:15:00	Auckland today, Wellington tomorrow, just a few driving for a super city against the wishes of the many. Water is likely to be in for a big overhaul, the Business Round Table led by Roger Kerr (RIP) pushed for privatisation for years, nobly resisted by that true gentleman Stuart Macaskill also RIP. Wellington's water comes mainly from a large catchment area in the southern Tararuas, managed by Wellington Regional Council. Heaven only knows what would happen if private enterprise got their grubby money making hands on it.	Terry Porritt (14)
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