Murray Gibb: Privatisation proposals don't hold water

4:00 AM Tuesday Jan 19, 2010

4.00am Wednesday January 13 2010

Maria McMillan: Send Hide's water bill down the plughole.

Maria McMillan predicts rising costs and a decline in service under privatisation.  Interesting article.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10619819

Matt McCarten on Rodney Hide before he steals our city.

Interesting on the Water issue.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/matt-mccarten/news/article.cfm?a_id=284&objectid=10616545

NZ HERALD

Tuesday April 28, 2009

Water bills to go up for some under Super City

4:00AM Tuesday Apr 28, 2009
By Bernard Orsman

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10569006

Call for mandatory use of water meters

4:00 AM Wednesday Oct 8, 2008

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10536348

Media Release

29 July 2009

Waitakere leads the way in water conservation

Residents of New Zealand’s first eco city are leading the charge on water conservation with an impressive reduction in consumption in Waitakere.

 The latest water figures show that in 2009 each Westie is using 157 litres of water per day – five litres less than in 2008, and 10 litres less than in 2007.    These figures come on the back of a determined effort by Waitakere City Council's water division EcoWater to highlight water consumption issues and subsidise conservation efforts.  In addition to offering rebates on urban rain tanks encouraging installation of water-efficient shower heads EcoWater heads conservation education campaigns such as the Water Ambassadors Kids Club.  Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says it is great to see the results of residents' efforts.  “It’s important to be careful how we are using our water and I’m proud to see how much this message is being heard and acted on. We’re using less and saving on future costs,” the Deputy Mayor says. “It’s great to see what our residents can achieve at home with some thought and effort,” she says.   The Waitakere City Council has a long term water management goal of reducing water consumption 25 percent by 2025 – or down to 125 litres per person per day.  People drink less than five per cent of the drinking water supplied to their homes, with the rest going down the drain via the toilet, shower, laundry and basins as well as on outdoor uses.

Waitakere City Council assists residents to install raintanks

Our City of Waitakere needs to reduce water demand by 25% by 2005 otherwise we will all have to purchase expensive new infrastructure.  We can delay having to build another expensive dam for many years if we all take water conserving and recycling measures now.

Did you know that you drink less than 5% of your highly refined drinking water, yet you are paying for the other 95% to be treated to the highest drinking standards, just to flush the toilet, take a shower or do your laundry.

Waitakere City Council, in conjunction with suppliers of rain tanks and associated products, is making it easier for you to collect your own water to use at home drinking and non-drinking purposes, thereby reducing your water bill and also the demands placed on our mains water supply and also on wastewater and stormwater systems.

As in other countries, it is now important for those of us living in urban areas to consider installing a raintank and these come in a wide array of designs, sizes, colours and positioning.  Tank water can be used for watering the garden, cleaning the house, car and dog, or you may feel that using water free from off your roof would be great to use in the toilet and laundry.  Some of you may even want the option of keeping your tank water at a drinkable standard to use instead of city supply.  this can really slash your water bills and help to minimise difficulties with possible water shortages, increased charges and regulations in the future.  the council can help you now...Want to drink quality rainwater?

Contact the council's 24 hour call centre 839 0400 for a brochure on what you need to do.

Want to feel really good about purchasing a raintank? 

EcoWater division will fund you the building consent required to plumb your tank into your house system AND they'll also give you a cash rebate on the purchase of your tank (until the maximum numbers are reached).

Rebates are as follows: You will need to be in quick!

REBATES:

TANK SIZE: 4500 LITRES OR LARGER

REBATE SIZE: $500

MAX. NUMBER OF REBATES/YEAR

50

TANK SIZE: 3000 LITRES OR LARGER

REBATE SIZE: $300

MAX. NUMBER OF REBATE/YEAR

30

TANK SIZE: 2000 LITRES OR LARGER

REBATE SIZE: $200

MAX. NUMBER OF REBATE/YEAR

20

Auckland City Council Guidelines

Auckland City Council encourages residents to install raintanks for garden watering and consider reticulating the water for use in toilets and possibly for use in the laundry. Where mains supply is available, rainwater must not be used in potable water connections, such as kitchens and bathrooms. No consent is required for raintanks that are used for garden watering, but you will need one if you decide to plumb the tank into your house. This will attract a variable fee, depending on the complexity of the proposed installation. If the system is installed as part of renovations or building work that requires a consent, the raintank inspections are included as part of the fee. You will need to show that a back up water supply is provided (if one is available), and include a backflow preventer, as well as identifying pipe work with a sign above the hose tap to ensure it is clearly identified as non-potable water (see Building Code Clause F8/AS1 paragraph 6.7 and figure 16). Depending on the quality of the water, consent may restrict its use to toilets and hose taps for garden use only.