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Changes to Water Invoicing from July 2026

From July 2026 your water bill will look different. Find out more below, or contact 07 348 4199 or email info@rotorualc.nz.

From mid-July 2026, we’ll charge minimum and fixed fees daily. We’re also updating your invoice to make it easier to read and understand.

Because water meters are read every three months, the number of days between readings can vary. Charging per day means these fees are calculated more accurately, no matter how long the billing period is.

Will I pay the same amount?

Yes. If you pay a minimum charge or a fixed charge, the total you pay over a year will stay the same.

Because charges are now worked out daily:

  • A shorter billing period means a lower invoice
  • A longer billing period means a higher invoice.

Over the full year, it balances out and won’t change what you pay. If you do not pay a minimum charge or a fixed charge, you will see no change to your water bill.

Who will be affected?

You’ll be affected by daily charging if you:

  • Currently pay a minimum charge, or
  • pay a fixed charge for a property in the Kaharoa area.

What else is changing?

We’ve updated your invoice layout to make it easier to read and understand. You will now find:

  • Your property, water consumption and billing details on page 2
  • A water usage graph showing your average daily water use (for each water billing period over the last 15 months)
  • An explanation of how your water charges are calculated on page 2.

See below for an example of the new format:

(On page 1). The red 'High reading' box appears when your daily water use is more than 50% higher than your average over the past year.

This might simply mean your water use has changed. However, it can also be a sign of a leak.

For tips on what to check if your water use has increased unexpectedly, please visit the page below.

Water Metering

(Found on page 1 of your invoice). We have replaced your water meter as part of general maintenance.

Reasons for the replacement may include: difficulty in reading the dial, damage to the meter, water mains and service pipe upgrades.

When a meter is replaced we issue a bill for the water recorded on the old meter up to the replacement date. The new meter starts recording usage from the day it is installed and your next invoice will include water use from the new meter for the remaining days in the billing period.

Because charges are calculated daily, you will not pay more or less overall due to the meter replacement.

(On page 1). A ‘Final reading’ is done when we receive a request due to a property sale, or when there’s a change of tenancy or lease.

(Found in the Your Details section on page 2). This shows how your property’s water use is classified in our system for reporting and analysis. It does not affect how much you are charged.

If you think the classification is incorrect, please contact us.

(Found in the ‘Your Current Water Charges’ section on page 2). This charge only applies to customers whose water use is under the minimum usage allowance. If your water use is above the minimum usage allowance, this charge will show as $0.

(Found in the ‘Your Current Water Charges’ section on page 2). This charge only applies to customers in the Kaharoa area. If you’re not in Kaharoa, it will show as $0.

(Found in the Your ‘Consumption Details’ section on page 2). Sometimes we can’t read your water meter, so we estimate your usage instead. This can happen if the meter is hard to access - for example, if it’s covered by overgrown vegetation, blocked by a parked vehicle, or behind a locked gate.

To help us get an accurate reading, please make sure your meter is easy to access:

  • Keep plants trimmed around the meter
  • Don’t cover or bury the meter
  • Keep dogs secured
  • Make sure gates or fences can be opened
  • Avoid parking over the meter

Clear access helps ensure your bill is based on an actual reading whenever possible.

For Kaharoa customers, your invoice now shows the fixed charge per day (found in ‘Your Current Water Charges’ section on page 2) instead of the total fixed charge for the billing period.

To work out the total fixed charge for your invoice:

Daily Fixed Charge × Number of Days in Water Billing Period = Total Fixed Charge

Minimum charges are now worked out on a daily basis, using a daily usage threshold instead of a quarterly one.

  • For standard water customers (excludes Kaharoa or Reporoa) a minimum charge occurs if you use less than 56 m3/quarter, which is equivalent to 224 m3/year, or 0.61 m3/day.

Standard Water Customers (minimum charge)

The minimum usage allowance for your billing period is:

0.61 × (No. of Days in the Billing Period)

Your minimum charge is:

0.61 × (No. of Days in the Billing Period) x Water Rate

  • For Reporoa Farming customers a minimum charge occurs if you use less than 207 m3/quarter, which is equivalent to 828 m3/year, or 2.27 m3/day.

Reporoa Farming Customers (minimum charge)

The minimum usage allowance for your billing period is:

2.27 × (No. of Days in the Billing Period)

Your minimum charge is:

2.27 × (No. of Days in the Billing Period) x Water Rate

  • For Reporoa Domestic customers a minimum charge occurs if you use less than 82 m3/quarter, which is equivalent to 328 m3/year, or 0.90 m3/day.

Reporoa Domestic Customers (minimum charge)

The minimum usage allowance for your billing period is:

0.90 × (No. of Days in the Billing Period)

Your minimum charge is:

0.90 × (No. of Days in the Billing Period) x Water Rate

Yes. The Annual Rates Funding Impact Statement sets minimum water charges based on quarterly water use thresholds. However, water meter readings do not always occur exactly every three months. Water Billing Periods can vary from around 80 to 120 days.

To ensure charges are applied fairly and accurately, minimum charges will now be adjusted according to the actual number of days in each billing period.

This change does not alter the approved water charging policy. It simply changes how charges are calculated within each billing period to better reflect the actual number of days between meter readings.

Yes. The Rates Funding Impact Statement sets an annual fixed charge for Kaharoa water connections.

Because billing periods can vary from around 80 to 120 days, this charge will now be calculated using a daily rate based on the actual number of days in each billing period.

This means some invoices may be slightly higher or lower depending on the length of the billing period. However, the total fixed charge you pay over a full year will remain the same.

This change does not alter the approved water charging policy. It simply ensures charges are allocated more accurately across each billing period.

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