Councillors launch last-minute bid to defer Christchurch's planned excess water charges

The Team Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:
Charges for using excess water are expected to come into force from July 1, but some Christchurch city councillors have launched a last-minute bid to defer the policy.

The council decided last year, following public consultation, to charge from July this year those who use more than an average of 700 litres of water a day over a three-month period.

Thousands of homeowners across Christchurch can expect to receive a bill, but only during the summer months for most.

About 30,000 homes across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula used an average of more than 700 litres a day during the 2020-21 summer.

But the council will not be sending out bills for $25 or less, so people will have to use more than 900 litres each day over 90 days to receive a bill. Once a bill goes above $25, the person will be charged for all usage above 700 litres.

Suburbs with the most households using more than 700 litres include Hornby (1392), Avonhead (1364), Burwood (1336), Halswell (1119) and Fendalton (1066).

Council three waters boss Helen Beaumont said 20,000 households were using more than 900 litres a day and could expect a bill if they did not reduce their use. Most of those bills would be less than $100.

The charge would be $1.35 for every 1000 extra litres used.

There will be exemptions for households with eight members or more who are using water responsibly.

However, five councillors – Sam MacDonald, James Gough, Phil Mauger, Aaron Keown and Catherine Chu – want the charges deferred.

Councillors will discuss and vote on this issue as part of next week’s annual plan sign off. Continue reading here.