Water Rates

How often are we billed?

If you are on a metered supply, you will be billed twice a year, every six months. Readings occur for all water supplies in May and November each year.

Readings occur for all water supplies in May and November each year.

Water Payment Options

There are many frequency options to pay your water from annually to weekly, and payment options from cash to direct debit.

If you choose to pay by direct debit or automatic payment you have the option to pay your water off over the year.

Payment by Instalment -

- For Ōtorohanga residential/commercial properties with water meters you will receive quarterly water accounts.

Meters are read March, June, September, December each year, with payment due last Friday of the following month.

- For rural districts and Kāwhia with water meters, you will receive bi-annual water accounts.

Meters are read May and November each year with payment due last Friday of the following month.

Water Payment Methods

You can pay your water by any of the following methods:

Direct Debit
Automatic Payment
Internet and Telephone Banking
Eftpos
Cash
Credit Card (online only)

What are the water charges?

Your water account is based on:

Consumption is measured through your water meter multiplied by the price per cubic metre (1,000 litres) - as listed below.

Also included, is a fixed charge for each meter, which is split between the two billings per year (Arohena, Ranginui, Tihiroa, Kāwhia and Waipa).

Ōtorohanga Town is split into four billings per year.

The Fixed Charge also known as Availability Charge, is a fixed network charge to help pay for infrastructure. i.e. cost of supplying water, treatment, compliance, and testing requirements to meet water regulations.

This charge is for each meter, except the Ranginui Rural Water Supply, where the charge applies only to the first meter on each property.

Water charges effective from 1 July 2022 (excluding GST) are:

Water Supply Scheme		Water Charge per Cubic Metre	Water Meter Charge
Arohena:Kahorekau, Huirimu, Taupaki Rural Water Supply		$0.72	$595.18
Ranginui Rural Water Supply		$0.55	$1,800.00
Tihiroa Rural Water Supply		$1.41	$500.00
Waipā Rural Water Supply		$0.90	$275.00
Ōtorohanga Water Supply	All connected properties	$1.70	$170.99
Kāwhia Water Supply	All connected properties	$1.50	$102.22

Properties within Kāwhia that would have been liable for a Development Contribution relating to the Kāwhia Water Treatment Plant upgrade will also be charged a Peak Season Water Meter Charge.

This covers all consumption during the period from 20 December until 20 February the following year.

This charge is $10.22 for each cubic metre used during the period.

My account seems too high?

If you think your water account is unusually high, then it is possible that you may have a leak.

One of the easiest ways to determine this for yourself is to take a reading before going out, at a time when no-one will be home for a period of at least 2 hours, and then taking another reading as soon as you get home.

An increase in the reading over that time frame suggests that water has passed through the meter, and there could be a leak on your side of the meter. If this is the case, then you may want to call a plumber.

If this test does not indicate an increase in the meter reading, then it is likely that the increased usage is due to a change in the household.

Changes of circumstances can have an impact on your water usage, so you may want to consider if there have been any significant changes since the previous billing.

If you still believe that the reading is too high, then you can contact us to perform a second reading.