Why meters?
Water meters encourage people to use water wisely, and are a fairer way of sharing the cost of water, because those who use less pay less (that is, those who use less water don’t subsidise high water users). Water consumption across the Kāpiti Coast District has reduced by more than 26 percent since water meters were introduced in July 2014.
Reducing demand means less water needs to be treated, which saves money, and has a big impact longer term on how much money needs to be spent on new treatment plants, pipes and reservoirs. This adds up to big savings for the whole community.
Council approved the introduction of water meters and volumetric charging to:
- help conserve water
- avoid breaching resource consents
- avoid unnecessary investment in water supply infrastructure
- achieve a greater equity in what people pay for water services.
The majority of residential water meters in Kāpiti were installed between 2012 and 2014 and have a life expectancy of up to 25 years, depending on the volume of water used and environmental conditions. A renewal programme for water meters is included in our Long-Term Plan (LTP).
Find out more about water meters and how to read your meter in Metering.
Water charges
Water charges pay for capturing and treating water, pumping it to your house or business, and maintaining our water supply network (including upgrading/renewing pipes and pumps). All water charged is used for water services; if there’s a surplus of water charges at any time, these will be kept aside for future water service use. See the current charges at Water and wastewater charges.
Since Kāpiti started charging for water, average water use has reduced by more than 26 percent. This is because people can see how much water they’re using, and there is a value associated with that.
Meters have also detected hundreds of leaks on private pipes around the district. Fixing these has meant millions of litres of water are no longer being wasted.
How water rates charges calculated
Kāpiti’s metering and water charging system was introduced on 1 July 2014.
Water is charged at:
- 50 percent fixed charge
- 50 percent volumetric charge for water use.
The current rates are outlined at Water and wastewater charges. You can read your meter and estimate your own usage and costs.
There is no 'free' allowance of water in the annual fixed charge, and the charge applies to each separately used part of a rating unit (ie, a home and a granny flat will be charged the annual charge separately).