In Mangawhai, a water delivery from The Waterboy costs $235 including GST for 6,000 litres or $345 including GST for 10,000 litres. Outside the Mangawhai area, a distance charge of $3.50 per kilometre (excluding GST) is added. How much it costs to fill your whole tank depends on its size and how empty it is, because most household tanks hold more than one truckload.
Below is what goes into the price, how many loads a typical tank takes, and the help some households can get through Work and Income.
What a water delivery costs in Mangawhai
These are The Waterboy’s current published prices. Prices are subject to change, so check the pricing page before you book.
| Load | Price (incl GST) | Cost per litre |
|---|---|---|
| 6,000 litres | $235 | about 3.9 cents |
| 10,000 litres | $345 | about 3.5 cents |
The per-litre figures are simple division of the load price by the litres delivered. The larger load works out cheaper per litre, which is worth knowing if your tank has room for it.
Both prices include a non-refundable $40 booking fee and GST. Online ordering covers Mangawhai Village and Mangawhai Heads. If you live outside that area, call the office to arrange a delivery.
What drives the price of a water delivery
Across Northland, carriers price water in broadly the same way. The water itself is only part of the cost. Most of it is the truck, the fuel and the driver’s time.
Distance from the service area
The Waterboy charges $3.50 per km (excluding GST) for deliveries outside the Mangawhai area. If you are on the edge of the zone, in places like Kaiwaka, Waipu or Te Arai, it is worth calling the office for a quote so the total is clear before the truck leaves.
Load size
You pay for a full tanker load even if you need less. The Waterboy can deliver smaller amounts, but because the travel and the driver’s time cost the same, the full load price applies. If your tank has room for 10,000 litres, the bigger load is better value.
Weekends, public holidays and urgent bookings
Weekend deliveries carry a $100 call-out fee and public holidays a $150 call-out fee, both shown at booking before you pay. There is also an urgent booking option for anyone who needs water before the next available date. If you have completely run out, call the office directly on 0800 426 269.
Access
A delivery that cannot be completed costs everyone. The tanker needs a driveway 3 metres wide and 3 metres high, and the driver carries 50 metres of hose. If the truck arrives and cannot reach your tank, a call-out fee may be charged, so tell us about long distances, steep driveways or gate codes when you book.
How much does it cost to fill a whole water tank?
Most standard concrete and plastic tanks in the area hold 24,000, 25,000 or 30,000 litres. One 6,000 litre load is about a quarter of a standard tank, and a 10,000 litre load is about two fifths.
That means filling a tank from close to empty usually takes more than one load. Using The Waterboy’s prices:
- Two 10,000 litre loads add 20,000 litres for $690.
- One 10,000 and one 6,000 litre load add 16,000 litres for $580.
- Three 10,000 litre loads add 30,000 litres for $1,035, which only makes sense for a 30,000 litre tank that is close to dry.
These are worked from the published load prices before any distance charge. In practice, most households top up with one load at a time rather than filling from empty, because a tank is rarely completely dry and the outlet usually sits above the floor. Water below the outlet cannot be used, so it also cannot be “filled”.
Not sure what your tank holds? Our guide to working out your water tank size shows how to calculate it from the tank’s measurements.
Is there help with the cost of water?
Yes, for some households. Work and Income says it may be able to help you pay to get your personal water tank refilled and delivered, with up to $500 for refill and delivery. According to Work and Income, you need to be living in a property you own, or a property you rent where you are responsible for refilling the tank, and you can generally get one payment for a water tank refill every 12 months.
Work and Income’s Special Needs Grant page also lists a water tank refill as an example of an emergency cost it can help with. To apply, Work and Income asks you to call it on 0800 559 009.
The Waterboy’s own guidance for senior pensioners is that they may be entitled to $500 of water a year. Eligibility is decided by Work and Income, not by us, so talk to them first.
How to book a Work and Income delivery
All Work and Income customers need to get a purchase order number from their case manager before booking. When you book by web form, email or phone, we need:
- your client number
- your name
- your mobile number
- your email address
- your delivery address
If you do not have a client number yet, you can request one through the Work and Income website.
Ways to keep your water costs down
The cheapest delivery is the one you do not need in a hurry. A few habits help.
- Book ahead in summer. Kaipara District Council’s advice for households on tank water is to check your tanks are full and have a water delivery booked ahead of time. Summer bookings fill up, and an urgent delivery, a weekend or a public holiday adds cost.
- Take the bigger load when there is room. It is cheaper per litre.
- Watch the big users. Kaipara District Council notes washing machines use between 80 and 150 litres a cycle, so full loads of washing make a real difference.
- Check your tank level regularly. A tank level indicator or a quick look with a ladder stops a surprise empty tank.
Households with tank supply are responsible for managing and paying for their own water, as Kaipara District Council puts it, so a little planning pays off.
Need water or a tank clean in Mangawhai?
The Waterboy delivers Taumata Arowai certified bore water, UV treated and not chlorinated, across Mangawhai and the surrounding area. Book your water delivery online or call the office on 0800 426 269.
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