WATER CHARGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 518, 22 November 1928, Page 6

WATER CHARGES

POSITION AT DEVONPORT COUNCIL’S NEW SCHEME Consumers of water in tho borough of Devonport received a surprise at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening, when it was decided to reduce the minimum charge for water from 15s for six months to 7s 6d; the meter service charge of 3s 9d to be additional. The policy of reducing the minimum cost has been adopted following the partial metering of the borough. It has been found that water valued at £3,000 a wear has been pumped, but that the revenue side of the accounts has not benefitted. As compared with the same period last year tire consumption of water is nearly 500,000 gallons less a week in Devonport. with corresponding savings in the cost of pumping. As a further inducement to consumers to be economical with water and to keep their water bills inside reasonable limits, the Borough Council, wherever a meter is put in and the demand seems excessive, notifies the property owner affected and urges him to see that his plumbing is in order.

If it is found that defective watersystems have been responsible furwater waste and consequent heavy bills, and the property owner immediately has repairs effected, the council will meet him in the matter of charges by making the next six months’ charge retrospective in these special cases. By these means it is hoped to introduce complete metering of the borough without undue hardships.