By ALAN PERROTT

Franklin district councillors meet today to begin deciding the future ownership of their water and wastewater network.

Options ranging from retaining full ownership to a total selloff will be discussed in an open forum at the council chambers at 10 am.

The district's northern neighbour, Papakura District Council, sold its water and wastewater systems to United Water in 1997 for $13 million.

The Franklin council has an arm's length water management policy which retains total ownership of its 13 water supply and 10 wastewater treatment systems.

But it hands over their administration and operation to Opus Consultants and Serco Group NZ.

The contracts for both companies expire in September 2001.

None of Franklin's water is supplied by Auckland provider Watercare Services.

Instead, the council relies on 13 separate sources, ranging in size down to the Kingseat system which supplies only 29 households.

Mayor Heather Maloney said the decision-making process would be unique in the Auckland region as about half of her councillors were not connected to water or wastewater systems.

"It's then possible a majority could carry a vote and not have to worry about the consequences."

There is an historical tension between Franklin's urban and rural ratepayers, with many farmers unwilling to have their rates increased to finance work which will only benefit the townships.

Franklin's ownership issues are further complicated by the district's border, which straddles the Auckland and Waikato Regional Councils.

Each council has different regulations, creating situations such as that in Pukekohe, which draws a limited amount of water from a bore controlled by the ARC.

Mrs Maloney said the council could consider sinking another bore just down the road in Environment Waikato territory, from which it is possible to have almost unlimited access.

Auckland City's anti-Metrowater lobby group Water Pressure is watching Franklin's progress with interest.

Spokesman Jim Gladwin said the group was concerned about a possible trend towards widespread privatisation of water and wastewater services.

The provision of essential services is the cause of increasing concern in Franklin as its population is expected to double to almost 100,000 within 25 years.