From 1 July, Christchurch and Banks Peninsula households who use more water than the average will pay extra for their water supply.

The targeted rate will apply to any single household with a water meter that uses, on average, more than 700 litres a day – roughly equivalent to 100 toilet flushes.

Property owners in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula will pay a fixed rate of $1.35 for every 1000 litres they use over the average limit.

Most households are average water users and won’t use enough to receive an invoice.

Generally, the property owner, or the same person who receives the property’s rates invoice, will also receive the excess water supply invoice.

There won’t be a reduction in rates for households that use less water than the excess limit, and no rebates or discounts will apply under any circumstances.

Where multiple households are served by a single water meter, we won’t invoice them until separate meters can be installed, unless there is a special agreement in place specifying which household/ratepayer is responsible for payment. 

Households sharing a water meter are generally low to average water users because the majority are smaller properties within multi-unit developments with very compact or shared gardens.

There are some exemptions to the Excess Water Supply Targeted Rate, such as:

• Unexpected high use due to a leak, upon proof the leak has been repaired promptly

• Personal circumstances such as medical conditions.