Waipa¯ water not true user pays

Referring to the editorial regarding water meters, it makes reference to the installation of water meters as being a ‘user pays system’ and provides equality to the residents in the use of water.

Sadly, the system installed in Waipa¯ is not a true total ‘user pay system’ in providing equality to all residents, as townhouses/ cross lease properties/ units are on a shared system.

The rub is that we are being charged for a commodity that the Government said implicitly we cannot be charged for. Council bodies will argue that the charges are for maintenance, treatment and the supply of water to residences — this would be fair assuming that the infrastructure is maintained, which it’s not.

Why else would ratepayers be expecting to face a bill of over $500 million to make good on the Three Water Infrastructure if it’s not neglected.

Council, then expects if these residents want to be part of the equality — they have to pay to have a dedicated water line run from the street to their residence or else they are expected to share the costs (something that these residents did not agree too) or to split the bill between neighbours you may not get along with.

Waipa¯ District Council’s excuse is that they don’t have the power to enter resident’s properties — what a load of rubbish.

They do have the power, if they bothered to engage the public, which they struggle to do on so many occasions.

Residents that find themselves in this precarious position may consider ‘legal class action’ and use the Total User Pays Water System down in the Kapiti District as precedent.

HAYDEN WOODS

Te Awamutu