Credits for Water Leaks Statement of Proposal

Statement of proposal to amend the Nelson Community Plan 2009-19 and Water Supply Bylaw 2008

Adopted by Council 17 March 2011

Council adopted the proposal to change the Nelson Community Plan and the Water Supply Bylaw at its meeting on 17 March, 2011. The changes clarify the circumstances where credit may be provided to ratepayers on their water bill when a leak has resulted in a much higher than usual bill.

Background about the proposal

Council released a proposal to change the Nelson Community Plan and the Water Supply Bylaw to clarify providing credits to ratepayers on their water bill when a leak has resulted in a much higher than usual bill.

Under the current criteria, while residents are asked to check for water leaks on their property, there is little financial incentive for them to do so while credits are still given. Council gave credits amounting to $175,000 on water rates in 2009 alone. The proposed changes seeks to identify the circumstances under which credits will be given and provide more incentive for residents to monitor their property for leaks, relieving a cost burden that is currently shared by all rate payers.

Under the proposed changes Credits for excess water charges arising from the following will always be processed:

  1. Misreading of the meter or faulty meter
  2. Errors in data processing
  3. The meter was assigned to the wrong account
  4. Leak on a Council fitting adversely impacting on the metered usage

No credit will be given under the following circumstances:                              

  • Leaks from pipes or fittings on farms*, commercial, industrial properties and un-occupied properties (regardless of temporary or long term) or reserves or from irrigation, stock water, swimming pools, ponds, landscaping, or similar systems on occupied properties.

* For the purpose of assessing credits for excess water arising from leaks “farm” is defined as any property that is or can be used for the growing of crops, including trees or rearing of livestock, with a land area greater than 5000 square metres.

  • Leaks from pipes that are, or should be visible, such as header tanks, overflows from WC’s, above ground pipes or fittings and attached to raised flooring or in walls or ceilings.

The possibility of a credit will be considered on a case by case basis according to certain criteria under the following circumstances:

  • Where the leak is a previously unknown underground leak on the main lateral between the water meter and a residential dwelling or under the concrete floor of a residential dwelling. 
  • Extraordinary circumstances which could lead to cases of genuine financial hardship for owner/occupier, could be granted at the discretion of the Council’s Chief Financial Officer.

Downloads

Statement of Proposal (737KB PDF)

Summary of the Statement of Proposal (31KB PDF)

Submission on the Statement of Proposal (71KB PDF)

Find out more

For more information contact Phil Ruffell on 545 8739.