Aucklanders’ water bills to increase by 7% on top of 8% rates rise

Aucklanders will be paying 7.2 percent more for water from next month, on top of a nearly 8 percent average rates increase in the city.

Watercare is investing $13.8 billion to improve Auckland’s water infrastructure over the next decade.

To help fund it, it will increase water and wastewater charges by 7.2 percent from 1 July.

Watercare chief financial officer Angela Neeson said the infrastructure was critical to how Auckland functioned.

“Auckland’s network must keep evolving to support growth, replace ageing pipes and assets, strengthen resilience and reduce environmental impacts.”

“While much of this infrastructure is underground and largely unseen, the outcomes are highly visible.”

Last week, Auckland Council voted to increase council rates by 7.9 percent in its budget, largely to help fund the opening of the City Rail Link later this year.

Watercare said for an average household paying $120 per month, their bill would increase by $8 per month.

“While we recognise that cost pressures are challenging for many households, this investment is about making sure we have the capacity and reliability needed for today and future generations,” Neeson said.

About half of the investment was dedicated to expanding the water and wastewater network, and the other half was for upgrading existing assets, Neeson said.

Watercare would also increase Infrastructure Growth Charges paid by developers by 20 percent.

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