Christchurch households could soon be individually charged for the water they use.

The city council yesterday confirmed a proposal for water charging would likely be included in the Long Term Plan (LTP) consultation document.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said it would not be a money-spinner but a way to encourage water conservation and efficiency.

Cr Raf Manji said there were several ways the council could charge residents for water, including introducing a quota system. If people used more than their quota, they would be charged and if they did not reach their quota, they could sell the excess back to the council.

"We are charged for electricity - I don't see why we wouldn't be charged for water as well," he said.

Their comments come in response to a Local Government New Zealand report looking at new ways for councils to raise money for infrastructure and services, as populations in some area decline and costs increase.

The Christchurch City Council is facing a $1.2 billion funding shortfall and will look at measures to address this in the draft LTP, which is expected to be released at the end of the month.

Councillors have already raised the idea of residents maintaining parks or reserves, during discussions on the LTP.

Manji reiterated water charging was not about earning additional revenue. The money could be used to fund the water infrastructure needed in the future, he said.

Consumption had dropped in other cities in New Zealand after water charges had been introduced, he said.

"We've had water conservation campaigns for years and years and I don't think they've made any difference at all. The reality is people just turn on the tap and the water comes out. The only thing that people really pay attention to is when prices goes up."

Manji believed it was a good time to get people talking about how the city could use water more efficiently and believed many people would be supportive of the move.

Christchurch homes already had water meters in place, so it would not be too difficult to install a charging system, Manji said.

Water charging was a controversial proposal when raised in 2008, as council developed a water strategy. At the time, the council said it needed to curb water consumption before 2051 when demand was expected to outstrip the capacity of local aquifers.

The final strategy, signed by the then mayor Sir Bob Parker, said the council "could consider" a direct charge on public water supply based on usage.

WATER METERING

Neighbouring Selwyn District Council has used water metering for several years.

In Rolleston township, the water charging regime is a $200 base water supply charge and a usage charge of $0.40 per cubic metre of water used.

The total estimated revenue from the base water supply charges is $765,200 a year but excludes metered revenue from water usage charges. The water charges cover the cost of running the scheme, including operation, renewals and upgrades.

Water is also metered in Tauranga and Auckland.