Warning shot fired over water meters in Hamilton

Thursday, 31 January 2019

Water meters are in the public spotlight again after Waipā District Council staff heaped praise on water meters for helping reduce consumption of the precious resource.

Council has been accused of having its 'head in the sand' over residential water meters in a contentious debate that could flare up, again, in election year.

Water metering captured the Hamilton City campaign trail in 2016 and reared it's head again this week when Waipā District Council staff heaped praise on water meters for helping reduce consumption of the precious resource.

Councillor Siggi Henry said New Zealanders were careless with water and meters were a great way of teaching people about 'how important the commodity of water is'.

Henry grew up in Germany and said every litre in and out of the house was metered.

Hamilton City Councillor Dave Macpherson welcomes a fight over water meters (File Photo).

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Hamilton City Councillor Rob Pascoe says the city needs to seriously consider water meters (File Photo).

'People still don't care [here] because it is a fairly free commodity. They don't see it in their rates as a separate entity.'

But Hamilton councillor Dave Macpherson said there is 'absolutely' no scientific evidence water meters work and if any candidate in this year's election wants to argue the case, he'll welcome the fight.

'We don't need them and there are better ways to do it but if some candidates want to give me an election campaign, be my guest,' Macpherson said.

Hamilton City Council currently has no plans to install water meters. In 2016, a study found it would cost between $20m and $25m to meter every house in the city additional to the $28.7m spent on a water capacity upgrade.

Councillors were canvassed for their opinions, with four open to water meters - Crs Rob Pascoe, Ryan Hamilton, Siggi Henry and Leo Tooman.

Seven opposed water meters while Crs Mark Bunting and Garry Mallett could not be reached for comment.

Cr Tooman said he wouldn't tolerate an increase in cost for ratepayers while Cr Hamilton said it's a 'more equitable and economic way of preserving water', though, he acknowledged the lack of public appetite.

Cr Pascoe said the city is sticking its head in the sand by not looking at it seriously.

'There is compelling worldwide evidence that household water meters change people's behaviour,' Pascoe said.

Seven of the 11 councillors contacted were opposed to water meters.

'People's behaviour changes when they are being metered and they still use the water but they use it a lot more judiciously than what's happening in Hamilton.'

Mayor Andrew King said water is a basic human right and it's council's role to provide it.

'I don't intend adding a water tax to Hamilton-Kirikiriroa ratepayers and the cost of installing, maintaining, reading and billing water meters outweighs the benefits.

'We know it's hugely expensive,' King said. 'What are we going to do if someone doesn't pay? Are we going to turn their water off? I don't think so.'

Cr Angela O'Leary said she will wait for the outcome of the Government's Three Waters Review and Deputy Mayor Martin Gallagher said a shared waters agreement between Hamilton, Waipā and Waikato is the best way forward.

'The real issue is for the Waikato local authorities to continue to look at a shared service model of water delivery,' Gallagher said.

In 2015, the authors of the Cranleigh report, which recommended a shared waters company between Hamilton, Waipā and Waikato councils, told Waipā councillors education was the best method of conserving water.

Councillors on water meters

Dave Macpherson - 'I'm totally opposed to water meters in Hamilton.'

Angela O'Leary - 'The number one issue is waiting to see what the government is going to be doing first.'

Paula Southgate - 'It's simply not needed at this time.'

Siggi Henry - 'People still don't care because it is a fairly free commodity.'

Martin Gallagher - 'The real issue is for the Waikato local authorities to continue to look at a shared service model of water delivery.'

Geoff Taylor - 'Council is getting better and people are getting better at managing [water] in Hamilton.

Mayor Andrew King - 'I don't intend adding a water tax to Hamilton-Kirikiriroa ratepayers and the cost of installing, maintaining, reading and billing water meters outweighs the benefits.

James Casson - 'The less people you have in the house, you will save money but my concern would be for families and young families.

Ryan Hamilton - 'Is it a way more equitable way of preserving water? Yes.'

Leo Tooman - 'I think they are a good conservation method but if we go with water meters, the rates would be reduced accordingly.'

Rob Pascoe - 'There is compelling worldwide evidence that household water meters change people's behaviour.'

* Crs Mark Bunting and Garry Mallett could not be reached for comment