Water woes

Apparently, Wellington Water has allocated just 3 per cent of funding for scheduled maintenance with ‘‘unplanned disruptions’’ expected to increase from 2022.

Typically, ‘‘unplanned disruptions’’ cost two to five times the cost of planned preventative maintenance. With more than 2000 pipe bursts recorded in its most recent annual report, ratepayers are paying tens of millions of dollars annually for avoidable ‘‘unplanned disruptions’’.

A programme of upgrades and preventative maintenance implemented in accordance with a proper asset management plan would have avoided this cost and inconvenience.

Wellington Water’s board comprises the region’s mayors, councillors and iwi representatives. Missing are the professional directors with the knowledge to manage infrastructure. The current state of Wellington Water demonstrates this is a job for professionals; not well-intentioned amateurs.

Going forward, it would be foolish to leave this in the hands of our local councils.

Dan Coffey, Crofton Downs [abridged]