Water meter roll-out about to start

The controversial roll-out of New Plymouth’s water meters is about to begin. A New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) release confirmed the installation of close to 30,000 meters across the region would start in the suburb of Ferndale. It followed a successful pilot installation of meters in Brooklands earlier this year. Despite some opposition from ratepayers, the NPDC signed off on the $18 million project during its long-term plan process. However, households would not be charged a metered rate until after the 2024/2025 financial year, a year after all meters are installed. Under the proposed Three Waters changes, from July 2024 the district’s water infrastructure will be owned by a new water services entity, which will be responsible for billing water users. Until then, local homeowners will continue to pay a fixed charge as part of their rates (except those with swimming pools). NPDC three waters manager Mark Hall said the council would co-ordinate the roll-out of meters in towns and suburbs with other water projects so that any inconvenience to residents was minimised.