Media Release from Dick Quax

Wednesday, 20 June 2007

Manukau Water Bullies Pensioner

An elderly Pakuranga widow living alone whose average quarterly water bill has never exceeded $35 has been presented with a bill from Manukau Water for $1981.

The amount equates to nearly 1800 kilolitres for three months.

This is about 60 times as much as she would normally use.

A leak was discovered on the property after Manukau Water alerted Mrs Smith (not her real name) that her water meter reading was above normal and advised her to check for leaks. A plumber was hired who confirmed the leak which was under a concrete drive and not visible. It took two weeks for Manukau Water to advise Mrs Smith that there was an unusually large amount of water being consumed.

Councillor Dick Quax who visited Mrs Smith claims that Manukau Water is acting in a thoughtless manner with little regard for the circumstances.

"This elderly lady who has always paid her bills has been presented with a bill for nearly $2,000 for water she did not use and had no idea that a leak had occurred on her property. As soon as she became aware that there was a problem she rectified it."

"As one can imagine she is now under great stress because her only income is a small pension and she is being bullied by a monopoly which recently increased their water and waste water rates."

Cr Quax has written to Manukau Water demanding that it withdraws the invoice bases Mrs Smith's invoice on historical water use averaging about $25 per quarter.

Manukau Water Ltd is a council controlled organisation fully owned by Manukau City Council.

Manukau City Council has just approved increases of 5% for water and 9.5% for wastewater.

Also within the last few months the Council also approved an increase of the fees paid to Manukau Water's directors by 40 per cent.

Cr Quax voted against both increases.

END

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