But for people on tank water - around 8000 people across Auckland - there is no accurate way of knowing how much water they use.
So Watercare has devised a system by which they will pay a $582 fixed annual "unmetered water charge" for being connected to the sewerage network only. That figure is deemed to be the average price.
But councillor Wayne Walker claims most people on tank water use far less than the average and are some of the highest conservers of water.
"The new charges are unfair, inequitable and inappropriate. I've taken this issue up with Watercare and so far I am unhappy with the response," Mr Walker says. "Many thousands of property owners, who get their water from their own water tank, now find they will be charged excessively for wastewater.
"This is an issue I am determined to fix in the best interests of people on water tanks and the wider community. Water tanks are environmentally sustainable. They are cost-effective for many households, especially where there is no alternative. Watercare and Auckland Council save money by deferring the need for more dams, pipelines, water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure; Auckland ratepayers everywhere benefit."
He said Watercare should look at metering tanks to ensure it fairness.
"All it would take would be for WaterCare to install meters on the tanks but they say that's too hard... and that access would be too hard to read those meters. Well the power meter reader can get onto properties to check meters, what's the difference?"
On the Hibiscus Coast alone, almost 4000 properties are connected to the wastewater network, but not to the public water supply.
Public meetings will be held in Whangaparaoa on July 22, Snells Beach on July 29, and further meetings are planned elsewhere in Rodney and the wider Auckland Region. The Whangaparaoa and Snells Beach meetings are being run by the Whangaparaoa Ratepayers and Residents Association.
"These meetings aren't talk fests," Mr Walker says. "Specific actions are suggested including installing water meters for Watercare to use as the basis for charging wastewater. Simple calculations involving roof area, rainfall data and tank size to arrive at water supply. We aim to have a number of people with 'watertight' cases challenging Watercare to treat them fairly and equitably but recognising the special circumstances around water tanks."
Watercare communications advisor Ramari Young says houseshold like those do not have water meters as meters are only for measuring usage of reticulated water.
"But following a council resolution, Watercare has agreed to investigate issues associated with rainwater tank metering," Ms Young says.
MEETINGS
The meeting on the Hibusicus Coast will include information on water meter costs, installation and reading. Calculation sheets are also available on the Whangaparaoa Ratepayers and Residents website.
"The idea is to make it easy for people, help them as much as possible. We want to find people who are very clearly and provably disadvantaged and then assist them with their case," says Mr Walker.
"It's not rocket science. When accurate measurement options exist that are fair and appropriate these should be used. So far the answers I've had back from Watercare don't stack up. It's going to take concerted action to make them change and do the right thing."
OTHER WATER CHARGES
The changes to
Watercare's charges
for water tanks came in the same time as monthly charges on July 1. People paying for reticulated water and waste may already have received their bills. Monthly charges will see users pay anything from $419 a year ($34.92 a month, for a low user, one person) to $876 for a moderate user (2-4 people, $73 a month) to $1563 (4-6 people, $130 a month).
What do you think of the charges and the monthly billing system? Comment below or let us know about yours letters@theaucklander.co.nz
