Waitomo pulls plug

Waitomo will quit a Smart Water partnership it had with Hamilton city and Waipā district councils from the end of next January.

It’s a financial decision, Waitomo CEO Ben Smit said.

“Really we weren’t getting value for money.”

Smart Water cost the council about $50,000, a year, ‘a not insignificant amount’ which Smit said would be better spent on leak detection in Te Kūiti and Piopio.

Smart Water is a partnership between Hamilton City, Waipā District Council and Waitomo District Council. It’s stated aim is to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of water from source to tap and support schools, organisations and the community to value water and use it in an efficient way.

It coordinates several projects and campaigns across the three council territories intended to reduce water use and increase community understanding around the importance of saving water.

More Recent News

Rubbish: no change expected

Breaking news A proposal to launch a kerbside rubbish collection service has been binned by Waipā District Council due to the cost. Information provided by staff estimated the cost of setting up a wheelie bin…

Walk for a cause call

Geoff and Johanna Fitzgerald are inviting 600 hikers to walk for a cause across their Wharepuhunga sheep and beef farm. The couple, who have farmed the 450ha Duncan Road property for 24 years, have has…

Do it yourself test is a home run

When women get together, and the subject turns to health, chances are one of the things they mention is how they hate going to the doctor for cervical screening. Some are so embarrassed by the…

Viability ‘destroyed’

“Farmers aren’t making money, and the Rural Support Trust is busier than ever,” Federated Farmers Waikato president Keith Holmes says. Waikato Rural Support Trust Chair Neil Bateup confirmed calls to the trust in September were…