The mayor has not previously attended a Metrowater meeting but says she did make her views known to councillors Vern Walsh and Jon Olsen, both Metrowater directors. Mrs Fletcher als criticised councillor Maire Leadbeater's support for protesters after Mrs Leadbeater watched them cement in water pipes at the Chaucer Place home on Saturday.

Metrowater turned off the water because the occupants refused to pay the wastewater component of the bill. "I would personally discourage Councillor Leadbeater from encouraging others to act outside the law." Mrs Flecher says.

Dr Hucker says no one should have their water turned off unless they are told personally of the intention to do so."Its not good enough to do it by letter"he says
More than than three-quarters of the 18,000 submisssions to the council's proposed annual plan called for Metrowater to become a stand-alone business unit not required to make a profit and wastewater charges to once again be paid from rates.

Mr Walsh would not say what action the board plan to take over the reconnection.