The Omarama Soaring Centre faces a big bill for excessive consumption of water, which was caused by a leak.
The excessive consumption could have cost the centre $13,124, but the Ahuriri Community Board has decided it will be billed for only half that amount.
The issue was discussed at the board's meeting this week and chairman Craig Dawson said it was a tough decision to make.
"Anything less [than half] would have set a precedent because other groups and businesses have had to pay," he said.
For example, the Omarama Memorial Hall, run by a community trust, recently had to pay $1000 for extra consumption of water after a pipe burst in a urinal.
Mr Dawson said the board's options for the centre's bill ranged from waiving the $13,124 through to making it pay the full amount.
In the end, it was felt billing for half was reasonable.
The Waitaki District Council's assets group manager, Neil Jorgensen, said the outstanding amount was incurred because of a leak at the soaring centre's connection and meter.
The centre asked the council to write off the "historic water bill", but the council decided to delegate the decision to the board.
Mr Jorgensen acknowledged the centre would be adversely affected by having to pay the full bill because the additional amount had not been budgeted for.
However, the Omarama water account was in deficit and any decision should be fair and reasonable to all water users in the town.
There was a cost to deliver the water.
The interval between meter readings, and the free-draining soil, meant the leak went undiscovered for a considerable time.
