NSW: Sydney water crisis cost $75 million

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-1999
NSW: Sydney water crisis cost $75 million

SYDNEY, Dec 16 AAP - Last year's Sydney water crisis cost consumers around $75 million,
it was revealed today.

The 1999 Auditor General's report showed the biggest cost to Sydney Water Corporation
was almost $20 million in $15 rebates it handed out to affected customers.

Sydneysiders resorted to bottled and boiled water last year after the parasites giardia
and cryptosporidium were discovered in the city's water supply.

Sydney Water also forked out some $14 million in insurance claims and $12.5 million
for monitoring and testing.

The five volume report on the incident by barrister Peter McClellan cost $2 million.

The audit office said it would continue to monitor the implementation of 91 recommendations
from Mr McClellan which included the establishment of an independent testing laboratory.

AAP jw/jd/cjh/bwlc

KEYWORD: WATER (CARRIED EARLIER)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.