Water retrofit service FAQs

Below are the answers to questions you may have about the water retrofit service and funding.  

What is the water retrofit service?

Council offers a funding service for residents to purchase and install on-site water supplies for outdoor irrigation.

Once installed the homeowner will pay this back through a targeted rates on their property over ten years.

What is available?

As the legal property owner you can apply to Council for up to $5,000 (including GST) towards an approved rainwater or greywater solution.

What are the four approved options?

1. Greywater Diversion Device
2. Rainwater tank sized between 5,000 – 10,000 litres
3. Re-establish tank sized greater than 5,000 litres
4. Install a pump on rainwater tanks sized greater than 5,000 litres

How do I apply?

Council can visit your property, explain how the funding works and the responsibilities - yours and ours. Council can leave you with a copy of the application form. Alternatively you can down load a copy of the application form from our Water Retrofit Service page.

Once complete you can send in to Council or drop off at any of the Council service centres.

How do I qualify?

The funding is eligible for households on the Kāpiti Coast where the house:

• was not built under current District Plan provisions for new dwellings
• receives unrestricted public water
• has a good rate repayment history
• must be the property owner and name registered on the title

How much will I repay?

You will repay the original amount paid to the contractors for goods and service. 

Council is required to charge GST on all revenue it levies including rates. Council has to pass the GST on the original cost because the service is not for Council. For example for a project costing $5,000, the annual payment is $500 plus GST.

You will not have to repay the interest on the funding assistance.

How do I make repayments?

Council will charge a “targeted rate” on your regular rates bill over ten years. This will be registered on your property Land Information Memorandum (LIM). The outstanding amount will appear on your rates bill around July each year.

How can I calculate my repayments?

The following table can help you to calculate your repayments

Can I pay it back early?

 Please contact the Water Services Coordinatorr for more information.

How do I know how much I have left to pay?

Please contact the Water Services Coordinator for more information.

What happens when I sell my house? Do I have to pay off the outstanding balance?

The full amount is repaid through your rates and this rate stays with your house. You'll be required to inform the purchaser of your property of this targeted rate (this is usually through your solicitor). The rate will be notified on your property's LIM report. You may of course voluntarily repay this rate or negotiate with the purchaser.

What will the financial assistance not cover?

Council will not provide funding for:

• the design/purchase or installation of irrigation systems
• landscaping materials for rainwater systems
• the installation of soak pits

How long will it take for my application to be approved?

Within ten working days after the Council receive it.

Why is the Council recommending three quotes for product and installation where practical?

The interest for this fund will be serviced by Council, so Council wants to ensure that the preferred option is reasonably priced. 

Why is the Council asking for an inspection before and after the preferred system is installed?

Council wants to ensure that the household does not have a current system in place and that the system has been installed as per the contract.