As part of a district-wide project, Rooney Earthmoving Limited (REL) has been awarded the contract to install smart water meters in Tekapo township.
Drinking-quality treated water is expensive to produce, and it is important that we do not let it leak out of pipes or valves and go to waste. By installing meters at the point of consumption we can identify the places where we are losing water and we can target our repair work to address these issues.
The meters also let us know where a property has a potential leak so that we can alert the homeowner that there may be a problem. This could mean we can help prevent unexpected large bills from undetected leaks. This can be particularly useful for absent or holiday homeowners.
When will this happen?
The work involves the installation of a meter and toby box to every water connection in Tekapo, starting on 4 August.
Contractors will be starting in the following streets:
- Lochinver Avenue
- Rankin Rise
- Mistake Drive
- Manning Place
- Rapuwai Lane
- Motuariki Lane
The project is planned to be completed by the end of October.
How will the meters work?
The meter will log the flow of water passing through it, and will send that information via the mobile data network to Council’s systems in the office every day.
Does this mean that water will cost more?
There is no intention to change the amount we charge for water. Currently, the first 500m3 are included in your water rate. Anything over 500m3 currently incurs a charge, and this extra will continue to be billed.
Water Rate Facts:
- Every household (connected to the mains supply) pays a water rate. This covers basic consumption and the cost of supplying and maintaining the infrastructure.
- The amount of water included in the water rate is 700m3 per year.
- This equals 700,000 litres.
- This is an average of 1917.8 litres per day (700,000 litres / 365 days).
- The average person in NZ uses 227 litres per day (mainly for toilets, hygiene - bathing etc - and laundry)
- 8 average people can live in a house and still not use the whole of the annual amount of water covered by their rates.
There is no current intention to change the amount of water (700m3) that is included in the property’s water rate charge.
Contact
Our contractor’s vehicles should be clearly signed. If you have any doubts about anyone approaching your property, feel free to contact the Project Manager Paddy Lawless (details below) to ring one of the Council offices and ask to speak to Geoff Horler in the water team.
Project Manager
Paddy Lawless
paddy.lawless@rooneygroup.co.nz
027 2216334
Any other enquires should be directed to the Mackenzie District Council:
Ashley McLachlan
ashley.mclachlan@mackenzie.govt.nz
03 685 9010