Metrowater threatens Mayoral Candidate

Mayoral candidate Lisa Prager has put her money where her mouth is and joined the Auckland water boycott because she disputes Metrowater’s bill .

“It’s daylight robbery” says Prager, “Metrowater has made $90 million dollars profit in the last ten years and yet claims my ‘account is seriously in arrears of $188.82 and your water supply will be restricted on Monday the 17th September 2007.” R.Tilaart, Credit Services Metrowater.

“Metrowater has refused to address the points raised in the letter of dispute and has gone straight to threatening to restrict supply.” Prager asserts, “I’m used to dealing with intimidation, but what about my 80 year old neighbour, is this how they might treat her?

Over the last 10 years Metrowater, a council controlled organisation (CCO) under the Local Government Act 2002, has taken 384 residential and commercial customers to court ranging from the Disputes Tribunal to the High Court for disputing their bills. Prager believes Metrowater’s bills are unfair, unreasonable and their charging practices are fraudulent.

Metrowater charges for water in and out even though they have no way of accounting for the water out. This profit making model does not encourage water conservation or support the ideals of sustainability. “I support the Water Pressure Group’s petition to Parliament calling for a full enquiry into Metrowater & Watercare’s charging and practices. And I think that the Auckland City Council’s monitoring body, the Finance and Corporate Business Committee, should be investigated too” says Prager.

65% of household water (to flush your toilet and wash your clothes) does not need to be drinking water quality. In this climate of global warming Metrowater ought to be encouraging better management of this resource rather than behaving like a corporate terrorist charging extortionate amounts of money without encouraging conservation.

“As Mayor I would advocate for the immediate end to ‘user charges’ and support subsidies for retrofitting water tanks to help save our beaches from storm-water & sewage runoff.

Drinking water is a basic human right and should be provided as a not for profit essential public service” claims Prager

For copies of the my letter of dispute and the Petition to Parliament see www.council-watch.com

ENDS