Water charges reviewed

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 6

Water charges reviewed

Water use charges for Ohakune commercial users are being reviewed to find a charging method that is 'fair and reasonable" Ruapehu Mayor Garrick Workman said yesterday. The charges came up for discussion at last week's council meeting. There has been some dissatisfaction with the present charges, and the council is looking at what commercial users, including accommodation houses, in the town use and when. They will be consulting with commercial users

regarding the charging method. Mr Workman said the council had already met with market gardeners and worked resolved many of the problems associated with their charges. He said the gardeners hadn't used the amount of water envisaged, which meant a lower revenue for the operation of the water plant. The council then increased its charges to balance the account. "We had an agreement with the growers to charge a set rate, but what we hadn't done is formally agreed to a minimum water use," he said. This year their water use had increased markedly, at a rate that if it continues the revenue problem won't occur, he said.