Council model Rainwater tanks

Dr Andy Asquith’s comment that there is a problem with the governance model for our cities is

spot on ( Mayors and nightmares, Nov 25).

The day I startedwork for a large city in western Canada, a senior manager explained how the cityworked. He described the city as a diversified business. The shareholders (the residents) elect a board of directors (the council) and a board chair (the mayor).

As a diversified business, the city needs a diverse board with a range of experiences and perspectives. The job is to make the city better for the next generation.

As Dr Asquith notes, New Zealand’s city councils need to raise their game.

John Rankin, Te Aro

Along with the debate on water meters, consideration might be given to wider issues ofwater conservation, such as capturing rainwater in domestic water tanks. Advantages include:

■ As water demand increases domestic tanks will augment supply.

■ In times of earthquake disruption resilience would be strengthened.

■ There would be a big drop in storm water discharge, thus reducing runoff and flooding.

■ Only a tiny fraction of water supply is used for human consumption. Treating all water to potable standards is grossly wasteful when the bulk of it is used in showers, baths, toilets, dishwashing, garden watering, swimming pools or car-cleaning.

There would be substantial savings in the need for investment in new dams and water distribution infrastructure.

■ Councils could offer discounted rates or rebates for those who install their own household tank.

Job creation in an expanded industry would ensue.

In the 1980s the government loanedmoney to those converting vehicles to CNG, the money being paid back from petrol savings. A similar scheme could well be suited to installing householdwater tanks. Richard Randerson, Hataitai