GW keeps water levy down

It’s been a good year for water supply to the region’s cities – the cost of bulk water has been held down and the volume of water supplied was the lowest in nine years.

The achievements, challenges and financial performance of Greater Wellington’s water supply operations are outlined in the Water Supply Annual Report for 2008/09, which Council recently approved.

“The cost of bulk water to the region’s cities has been held down for the 12th time in the last 13 years – that’s not an easy feat in the face of inflation. But just as important is the fact that we are obviously wasting less and that is really good news,” says Cr Chris Laidlaw, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Regional Sustainability Committee.

“We’ve kept operating costs and capital works programmes strictly within budget while continuing to supply top quality water to our customers – we have some of the best drinking water in the country, with the Te Marua and Wainuiomata water treatment plants maintaining Ministry of Health A1 grades.”

Cr Laidlaw says that although many factors influence the rate of water consumption, the fact that the volume supplied to the cities is the lowest since 1999/2000 while the population has continued to grow indicates that the water conservation message is having an impact and the community is gradually changing how it uses water. “In the long run this is very important because the cost of any new water supply options will be hugely expensive.”

The report also outlines Greater Wellington’s investigations into short and long-term options to improve the security of our water supply, and the development of hydro-electricity generation from the filling of the Te Marua lakes, which will be commissioned later this year and is likely to save about $85,000 annually.

Copies of the Water Supply Annual Report are available at libraries throughout the region. You can also view the report on Greater Wellington’s website at www.gw.govt.nz/plans