Universal Water Metering

Background

Tararua District Council owns and operates seven water supply schemes across the district, including four major schemes for Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua and Eketāhuna. Council has resource consents in place to take surface water for the purposes of water supply, and in the cast of Pahiatua, an additional bore source. The resource consents place a focus on implementing water conservation and demand management measures that facilitate the efficient use of water, and the minimisation of water takes.

Overview of water conservation options and objectives

TDC have in place a Demand Management and Water Conservation Plan that provides a comprehensive strategy to manage water demand and promote conservation across the district. This plan has two purposes – it has been developed as a requirement of resource consents for water takes for water supply schemes, and it will also be used by TDC to set the direction for sustainable water management to support population growth, adaptation to dryer weather conditions, and ensure that infrastructure investment in water supplies is efficient.

The plan includes several key initiatives:

  • Universal water metering – to monitor and manage water usage effectively
  • Leak detection – conducting regular surveys to identify and repair leaks promptly
  • Public awareness campaigns – educating the public on water conservation practices
  • Infrastructure upgrades – upgrading aging infrastructure to reduce water loss and improve efficiency
  • Water restrictions – during periods of low water availability

These measures are expected to result in improved water usage data, reduced water wastage, increased public awareness, enhanced infrastructure resilience and ensured water availability during droughts. This plan also aligns with TDC’s strategies by promoting lifecycle management, optimising resource use and maintaining high service levels for the community. Additionally, it supports central government policies that drive investment in water infrastructure and encourage behavioural changes among water users.

Universal water meters in Tararua

Tararua District Council plan to introduce water meters to everybody connected to a Council water supply scheme, which will be rolled out over the next four years.

Water meters help keep track of how much water is used, which encourages people to use it more wisely. Plus, it can help keep water costs fair. Water supplied by TDC is currently charged as a fixed rate to all connected properties, with a number of extraordinary users (such as commercial and lifestyle blocks) being charged by volume. Council believes the way we are currently charging for water is unfair to low users and provides no incentive to reduce demand for high users. Introducing water metering means people will be charged for the water they use and is the best and fairest way forward to reduce demand and conserve our natural resource.

This is the publics opportunity as a community to help us reduce water intake. Water meters will help you better understand your usage and will encourage water conservation – it’s a smart way to protect our water resources for the future and make sure they’re shared fairly.

This also means we can spot water leaks early, protect our precious water sources, and avoid costly upgrades down the line. Identifying where leaks are occurring is far more cost effective than replacing all the pipes in the network.

What are the first steps?

The project team are currently looking into a Backflow Prevention Policy. This enables Council to put backflow prevention devices at the point of connection of each water supply point to each property, which stops any ‘dirty’ water from flowing backwards from houses/industries into the water network. This is a key public health protection measure and mandated by legislation (such as the Water Services Act 2021). It will set out the type of hazards presented by backflow, the types of backflow prevention devices to be used, and the roles and responsibilities of Council and water users for backflow prevention.

The team are also looking into water charging analysis and reviewing hardware and software options for backflow prevention and water meters. Public consultation for water charging options will take place later this year.

More information will be provided soon in terms of consultation for water charging options, roll-out of water meters in our towns, and the backflow prevention policy.

Roll out

TDC estimate that the full roll out of the water meter installation will take 4-5 years to complete. This will include a period of testing and data collection.

This will be done in several steps:

  • Technical development
    • review hardware (flowmeters, backflow devices etc)
    • review software and system architecture
  • Backflow Prevention Policy development
  • Water charge analysis and public consultation
  • Installation period
    • Procurement of equipment
    • Comms and engagement
    • Installation
    • System data collection with mock billing off current software

Timeline (subject to change)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Water is one of our most important resources. Meters help reduce waste, identify leaks, and make sure we’re using water wisely. They also mean people will pay for what they actually use — which is fairer for everyone.

  • Water scarcity
  • Future population growth
  • A fairer user pays system
  • Improving awareness of peoples’ water use and their approach to water efficiency
  • Reduction in water treatment and associated costs
  • Asset condition
  • Identifying leaks and water losses
  • Alignment with national requirements

By reducing unnecessary use, we can delay or avoid big, expensive upgrades to our water system — which helps keep future costs down for everyone.

  • You’ll only pay for what you use
  • You’ll be able to monitor your own usage
  • Leaks can be picked up early — saving you money
  • Fairer system: high users pay more, low users pay less

TDC estimate that the full roll out of the water meter installation will take 3-4 years to complete.

  • Backflow prevention policy and water supply bylaw update
    • This includes targeted engagement with the community to ensure the public are happy with the policy and bylaw that we put in place
  • Technical and options development
    • Research into hardware types (flowmeters, backflow devices etc), software and architecture
  • Water charge analysis – public consultation
  • Installation of water meters
  • System data collection and mock billing
  • Roll out of water usage and billing

Installations are planned to begin at the end of 2025 and will be rolled out area by area. We’ll contact you well before your installation. Meters will be installed near your existing toby (usually at the property boundary). Water may be turned off for a short time.

Meters track the amount of water your household uses. Most will be read remotely, meaning no one will need to visit your property regularly. The data will be sent securely to Council.

This project is included in the current Long-Term Plan (2024–2034) with a total estimated cost of approximately $4.9 million. It will be funded through a loan, with repayments covered by ratepayers. To promote intergenerational equity, the cost will be spread over 20 years, ensuring that those who benefit from the asset also contribute to its funding.

You will not be individually charged for the water meter being installed to your water connection. Council has made provisions in the LTP for the installation of water meters as a key infrastructure project.

Once meters are up and running, we’ll provide access to your usage data online or by request. You’ll be able to track your water use and spot problems like leaks early.

Yes. We’ll share tips for saving water, show you how to read your meter, and offer support if you’re worried about costs.

Currently, most users pay a fixed rate in their rates, with a number of extraordinary users (such as commercial and lifestyle blocks) being charged by volume.

There are several options for the residential water charging, and these will be explored in depth. A public consultation on these options will take place later this year.

While water itself is a natural resource, the cost lies in making it safe and reliable for use. Council must cover the expenses involved in capturing, storing, treating, and delivering water to every property. These services require infrastructure, energy, and ongoing maintenance. Council does not make a profit from water charges—fees are set to recover the cost of providing the service.

All properties connected to town supply will need to be metered so everyone can track how much they’re using. The meters will also indicate if there’s a leak or a backflow problem that needs fixing.

This enables Council to put backflow prevention devices at the point of connection of each water supply point to each property, which stops any ‘dirty’ water from flowing backwards from houses/industries into the water network. This is a key public health protection measure and mandated by legislation (such as the Water Services Act 2021). It will set out the type of hazards presented by backflow, the types of backflow prevention devices to be used, and the roles and responsibilities of Council and water users for backflow prevention.

Both options may require the timing of the universal water metering project to be reassessed.  However, the project will not be immediately affected as we are currently planning the universal metering project along with considering new engineering design standards and our renewal programme.  Evidence across New Zealand consistently show that water meters are effective in improving how people use and value water while it also better identifies and management of leaks.  It seems clear that universal metering will occur in the future.

With a joint approach, all projects and their timing are likely to be reconsidered immediately by the new Water Organisation as part of developing a new required (joint) strategy.