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The right to connect to town waterW/2007/276
The house Mr N recently bought had relied on tank water for many years. It also had a diversion licence. Mr N said water infrastructure had been installed by the developer of an adjacent subdivision some years before. He thought he should be allowed to connect to that supply. He said his water company had refused his request to do so, but hadn’t satisfactorily explained why.
Responding to EWOV’s investigation, the water company said the subdivision’s water system was already overloaded — and there were concerns that the plant didn’t have the capacity to deliver at peak load (holiday) periods. It said further stress would be placed on this system when blocks, which were still vacant, were connected in the future.
Our investigation included a review of the practice of other water companies. We inspected the site and the sub-division treatment plant and held discussions with water company representatives. It was ascertained that peak load periods presented significant problems for the water company. It was also revealed that the water company had a plan to provide the area with reticulated water within five years, subject to appropriate consent and owner contributions — and there was a reasonable likelihood this would happen.
We noted that Mr N had bought the house aware of the water arrangements in the area. With a water tank and a diversion licence, it had access to a water supply. As well, similar past requests for connection from a number of other property owners
had been refused. It was also ascertained that the owners of properties in the subdivision, which were already connected, had paid a premium for the right to access reticulated town water.
Having undertaken our investigation, we advised
Mr N that we wouldn’t direct the company to connect his house. Mr N was
appreciative that a thorough investigation had been undertaken and a
full explanation provided. He accepted this and the water
company’s decision.
Had the water company provided a full explanation to this customer in
the first place, an EWOV investigation may have been avoided. However,
some customers are reluctant to accept information other than from an
independent party — a role which EWOV is effectively able to play.
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