Media Statement 18th February 2011

Harvesting rain has a payback!

"Harvesting rain does have payback", claimed Regional Councillor Paul Bruce,

and this would be certainly evident to Christchurch residents who had lost their water supply after this weeks devastating earthquake. Mr Bruce also expressed his sympathy for Christchurch people and said that Greater Wellington region is actively involved in providing support to people affected by Christchurch earthquake.

Mr Bruce said the conclusions of a report on the economic viability of rain water collection were seriously flawed, and Councillors called for an independent review. Councillors and public participants including independent experts such as Stan Abbot,

Director, Roof Water Research Centre, Massey University Wellington, questioned the assumptions and the narrow scope of a Greater Wellington Regional Council report to its Cultural Wellbeing committee on February 2nd, that claimed payback on rainwater tank was unlikely to occur within the lifetime of the system.

"The average price of 5000 litre tank was said to be $7,500, yet one cannot find any tank priced over $3,000 in the first 25 listings on trademe," said Mr Bruce.

"However, Wellington householders are much more likely to go for a smaller tank of 1-3000 litres as they were not looking for resilience rather than savings on their water bill."

"Rain water collection from houses and buildings is of course much more about resilience and sustainability, then about immediate dollar savings. Resilience means the ability to harvest rain after a major disruption such as occurred in the devastating Christchurch earthquake. Sustainability also means water conservation, reduced runoff and pressure on storm water systems with less pollution into our harbours and coastal waters. In a drought, tanks would be a way of catching a short downpour which would not show up in rivers.

"Greater Wellington does in fact have regulatory policies in its Regional Policy Statement that already promote efficient use of water and water conservation, and two that specifically promote rainwater collection.

"We drink only 5% of our treated water. Yet we are paying the other 95% to be treated to the highest drinking standards - just to flush the toilet, take a shower and water our gardens," Mr Bruce concluded.

Paul Bruce | Councillor Greater Wellington Regional Council

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