Water Tariff
A sustainable water tariff is fundamentally designed to encourage water conservation and efficient usage, while also funding the infrastructure needed for effective water management.
Official Public Notice
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
TO TATOU VAI
TARIFFS
24 September 2025
To Tatou Vai wish to advise the public that a new water tariff will come into effect on 1 October 2025 as follows:
The tariff is the same for all customers - commercial and domestic - and therefore does not differentiate with the purpose of usage
The tariff is volume based at $1.40 per cubic metre (or 1,000 litres) consumed, plus VAT
Government is subsidising up to 38,000 litres per month per connection for eligible domestic customers
Domestic customers who are eligible for the subsidy will have their invoices paid for by Government, up to the subsidised allocation amount as determined by the Government
Consumption beyond the subsidised water allocation will be charged directly to the customer
Domestic customers that do not have a meter will be charged a set fee of $53.20 per month until their meter is installed
This tariff will come into effect on 1 October 2025
Downloadable Resources
For more detailed information, please see the official documents below:
A New, Simpler Water Tariff
At To Tatou Vai, we are committed to managing our precious water resources effectively and ensuring a fair, transparent system for all our customers. That's why we are introducing a new, simplified water tariff structure, effective 1 October 2025.
This new tariff is designed to be simple, fair, and based on evidence. We've listened to your feedback and moved away from the old, complex block system to a single, volume-based rate for everyone. You only pay for what you use, and the Government of the Cook Islands continues its commitment to supporting households.
| Tariff Component | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Water Rate | $1.40 per 1,000 litres (1m³) + VAT | A single, consistent rate for all water consumed. |
| Government Household Subsidy | 38,000 litres per month | For eligible domestic households, the Government will pay for the first 38,000 litres of water used each month. |
| Billing for Households | Pay only for what you use above the subsidy | If your household's monthly usage is within the 38,000-litre subsidized allocation, your invoice is covered. You will only be billed for consumption that exceeds this amount. |
| Unmetered Properties | $53.20 per month + VAT | A temporary flat fee will apply for properties until a water meter is installed. This fee is also covered by the Government subsidy for eligible households. |
A Note on High Water Usage: Check for Leaks!
Our data shows that high water usage in homes is most often caused by undetected leaks, not by wasteful habits. A small, continuous leak can waste a significant amount of water over a month, potentially pushing your usage above the subsidized allocation.
We strongly encourage all customers to regularly check their properties for leaks. A simple way to do this is to turn off all taps and water-using appliances, then check if your water meter is still turning. If it is, you likely have a leak.
Need help? Please contact our customer service team for support.