Otago landowners with water takes in areas difficult to access or where weather is too harsh for electronic equipment will be able to apply for exemptions to new water metering rules.
New resource management regulations came into force late last year requiring daily recording of water use at the point of abstraction under a permit.
The same regulations provided for exemptions in certain circumstances, such as to prevent tampering, access, climatic conditions, topography and nature of take.
A report to council said very few applications were envisaged and any would need to be approved in writing by the council.
Irrigators with a water meter aleady in place would need to apply for an exemption if it was not located at the point of take.
The cost of applying for an exemption would vary depending on the complexity of the situation and a deposit of $200 was recommended. For a site visit a fee of $155 was set.
Both fees would be included in the schedule of fees and charges to be included in the draft annual plan.
Cr Bryan Scott said at a meeting this week it was a practical approach and an appropriate fee to enable the system to work fairly.
Cr Duncan Butcher said anyone needing an exemption would be happy to pay the fee, given it would cost a lot more to meet the regulations any other way.
