About this decision
A second decision related to our three waters network is the ownership of the wastewater laterals - most councils in New Zealand have taken over this responsibility form property owners.
What's the background to this decision?
Currently residents are responsible for the maintenance of the pipes connecting their property to the wastewater (sewerage) main underneath the road corridor. These are called wastewater laterals.
Often residents are not aware of their responsibilities and are unable or unwilling to pay for repairs when their lateral fails. Often the failure of laterals under the road corridor are also outside of the control of property owners, for example being the result of damage caused by street tree roots. Most Councils in New Zealand are responsible for the maintenance of laterals in public land.
The 3 waters network means our drinking water, waste water and stormwater infrastructure including:
- 2653km of pipes
- 193 pump statins
- 3 treatment stations
- 65 reservoirs
There are two options
- Retain status quo policy settings where households are responsible for renewal and maintenance of the wastewater laterals in the road corridor to the main.
- Capital cost and debt impact: No change
- Rates change: None
- Change the Council’s policy to be consistent in the region and New Zealand.
- Capital cost and debt impact: $27m (over 10 years)
- Rates change: 0.17% 3 year average increase
Our preferred option
The Council prefers Option 2. In it we propose that the Council takes ownership of the laterals between the property boundary and the sewerage main underneath the road corridor.
Want to know more about our 7 big decisions? Head back to our Long-term Plan homepage or read our full consultation document.
