Council reviewed their Undetectable Leak Policy at its Business Meeting in Galong, before several undetectable leaks came up as items in the confidential section.
The policy provides financial relief to residential water customers who receive high water usage accounts due to higher than normal consumption resulting from a private infrastructure leak which was not readily detected. Ten applications have been received since the introduction of the policy in February, 2010, with $20,140.18 in reductions being made. Four applications from residential customers represented $3,896.86 of the total written off. There are three undetectable leaks before Council in the confidential section, with a possibility of $2,499.37 being written off. A revised policy has been recommended with changes consisting of: the water user account being reduced to reflect the cost of water charged to Harden Shire Council by Goldenfields Water County Council; A revised water account is to be raised in the amount of the metered consumption and charged at the current bulk water charge issued to Council by Goldenfields Water County Council; Rebates are to be applied to the billing period from the period when the leak occurred up to a maximum of two billing periods; Only one undetected water leak rebate shall be granted in any financial year. Council will vote to adopt the revised policy on October 21.
