54Construction charges

54 Construction charges

(1)  The undertakers may make and levy construction charges on lands in the water district in accordance with this section, but if they are not a public or local authority only with the consent of the Treasurer.

(2)  Construction charges –

(a) may be made and levied annually at any time between the commencement of the construction of the waterworks and the supply of water to the land rated or charged;

(b) shall be calculated by fixing an amount per unit quantity of water and multiplying it by a quarter of the number of such units expected to be drawn yearly for the land concerned when it is supplied with water.

(3)  If the undertakers –

(a) abandon their undertaking before supplying;

(b) go into liquidation, are made bankrupt, or become unable to pay their debts before supplying; or

(c) fail for 5 years after first levying the charge to supply –

water for irrigation to land charged under this section, any person who has paid the charge in respect of that land may recover it from the undertakers and has a charge therefor on all their assets.