Albury Council's plan to recoup water bills slow running

But the figure is only a fraction of the $1 million initially sought after.

There were 484 households owing more than $600 each in unpaid water accounts last August.

Council has managed to reduce that number to 457 households owing a combined total of $919,889 in outstanding bills.

Albury Mayor Kevin Mack said they will continue to target people owing large sums.

"Water is a valuable resource and the service is not free," Cr Mack said.

"It’s an ongoing focus for us to work with people to establish payment plans and assist where we can when ratepayers are having difficulty making repayments.

"We have 296 residents on payment plans."

In the 2014-15 financial year 58 properties owed an overall sum of $246,234 and were issued intent to restrict notices.

Since that time, 20 properties were hit with the device while 22 households dodged the it by paying a total of $69,766.

Eleven households paid $34,368 after the installation and nine restrictors still remain in place today.

In Albury the council controls the water supply whereas North East Water is the authority in Wodonga.

The device reduces water flow to two litres per minute cutting off larger appliances, but still allows enough water for basic cooking, toilet and drinking needs.

The push should not have come as a surprise to residents as they would have received their water bill, a reminder notice and a final notice before the intent to restrict notice.

Households were given 14 days to pay or to organise an alternative arrangement otherwise they were hit with a restrictor and an additional fee of $133.50.

The devices are only removed once the balance is paid in full.

Those people experiencing difficulties paying their water account should contact council's customer service team on (02) 6023 8111.