Latest news on Three Waters reform
New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is considering what will happen with three waters reform and has appointed Kieran McAnulty as Minister for Local Government, with the responsibility to look at the reform and make changes. McAnulty has said some decisions will be announced in the near future.
Southland District Council spoke to its submission on the the Water Services Legislation Bill and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill to the select committee in early March.
Mayor Rob Scott and chief executive Cameron McIntosh spoke on the need for three waters reform, and how the process for this has been flawed.
Government says the Water Services Legislation Bill will make sure the new water services entities have the necessary legal functions, responsibilities, and powers to get on with their work on 1 July 2024.
It includes recognition and respect of the Crown’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities and also recognises the importance of local water services for rural communities.
The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill provides a detailed longer-term framework for ensuring water services entities provide affordable and well managed services.
This third bill will aim to ensure water services entities are held to account for providing consumers with a decent level of service when they have queries or complaints.
The first Act in this series, the Water Services Entities Act, was passed into legislation in December last year. It establishes the four new publicly owned water services entities.
The Act locks in community ownership and oversight of the new water services entities through local government’s role as shareholders.
Why is Three Waters reform needed?
(taken from the New Zealand Government three waters reform site)
- Some New Zealanders don’t have access to safe drinking water from their tap:
- 1 in 5 New Zealanders have tap water that isn’t safe to drink (Ministry of Health, 2021).
- In 2020-2021, over 1 million people had access to tap water that didn’t meet drinking water safety standards (Water New Zealand, 2021).
- In 2019-2020, 500,000 people lived with boil water notices (Ministry of Health, 2019-2020).
- There are some areas in Aotearoa where boil water notices are permanent (Ministry of Health, 2019-2020).
- More than half of our drinking water suppliers provided water below the drinking water standards in 2021 (Taumata Arowai, 2022).
Three Waters reform will create new opportunities for our water workforce:
- 6,000 – 9,000 jobs are expected to be created over the next 30 years (DAE Industry Development Study, 2021).
- Deloitte projects that the water workforce will grow from 9,000 to almost 17,000 employees by 2051 (DAE Industry Development Study, 2021).
Investment is needed:
- It’s estimated that New Zealand needs to invest $120 billion to $185 billion in our three waters infrastructure over the next 30 years (Water Industry Commission for Scotland, 2021).
- Without reform, the cost to households will be between $1,900 and $9,000 (Water Industry Commission for Scotland, 2021).
- With reform, costs are projected to range between $800 and $1,640 (Water Industry Commission for Scotland, 2021).
Decades of underinvestment has led to aging infrastructure:
- A third of our national wastewater treatment plants need upgrades (Water New Zealand, 2021).
- In 2020-2021 there were around 12 wastewater and stormwater overflows per day (Water New Zealand, 2021).
- Approximately 20% of drinking water is lost on the way to households each year (Water New Zealand, 2020-2021).
- In 2020 – 2021, one-third of all wastewater treatment plants operated without the required consents and require upgrades to be compliant (Water New Zealand, 2020-2021).
- More than 4,000 overflows from wastewater networks occurred in 2020-2021. Twelve times every day, untreated wastewater pollutes our waterways or surfaces in residential areas (Water New Zealand, 2020-2021).
How will this reform improve wastewater, water supply and stormwater?
The Government has created a plan to make sure our three waters are in good condition to meet challenges like population growth, climate change and natural disasters.
Under this plan four new publicly-owned water services entities will run New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services – currently operated by councils on behalf of communities. The Government’s plan will build these new entities on the foundations of existing council infrastructure, people, and expertise. The plan is designed to give the new water organisations the financial flexibility to make the necessary upgrades more affordable for everyone.
The entity of which Southland fits into covers the majority of the South Island, excluding the top of the island.
As part of the reform, the Government created a new water services regulator to enforce a new drinking water regulatory system, while contributing to improved environmental outcomes from wastewater and stormwater networks.
Taumata Arowai was established as a Crown entity in March 2021 and became New Zealand’s dedicated regulator of drinking water, when the Water Services Act came into effect on 15 November 2021. In 2024, it will assume responsibility for wastewater and stormwater networks, becoming the three waters regulator for Aotearoa.
The three waters reform programme has four key outcomes:
- safe, reliable drinking water
- better environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater services
- efficient, sustainable, resilient and accountable multi-regional water and sewage services
- making it affordable for future generations.
You can find out more on the official government website: https://www.dia.govt.nz/Three-Waters-Reform-Programme
I believe the water (out of my tap, caught off…
I believe the water (out of my tap, caught off the roof) has caused me no harm. I would like the data collected to say that 1 in 5 taps deliver unsafe water, to be presented to the people in full. I believe the more water is tinkered with, the less healthy it is to consume. I therefore stand against three waters, and infact see it as a money sink hole with more beaurocrats, consultants, and companies profiting. Water should remain a free commodity to all New Zealanders, and assets currently held by the council should remain in the control of the people they serve, those who pay the rates. No centralization will ever protect the asset of the people.
Wendy
Monday 17 Jul 2023
It strikes me as incongruous that we will not be…
It strikes me as incongruous that we will not be able to afford the necessary upgrades under the present Local Authority management, but can miraculously afford it if the new Water Authority takes over.
With the funding difficulties in all of Local Authority work, it begs the question:
Is the present Local Authority funding system in need of review?
Is funding based on rating Land Value the correct approach in the modern era when many of the services are per person. Should a tax approach be adopted or even rate on the number of occupiers on a property (ie. population based). That would need a whole review of funding at central government level and may be more effective in the long term.
The current proposal will lead to an increase in staff in line with the normal government department approach (build another empire of public servants) and use money that could otherwise be spent on the necessary upgrades if distributed to the local authorities.
Rae
Sunday 21 May 2023
Local Government has a unique opportunity, it provides the core…
Local Government has a unique opportunity, it provides the core resources to living a healthy happy life , we pay fees as ratepayers to ensure core services. Losing them to someone who doesn't have our best interests at heart nor is accountable and sees them purely as an asset. The Coat of arms for SDC is Service, Commitment, Enterprise.
Put your community first and fight to retain that service.
Matthew
Wednesday 10 Aug 2022
I am 100% against 3 WATERS. . . .
I am 100% against 3 WATERS........Why can't the Govt. simply arrange finance ( at good rates ) to do the essential work ? The Council then progresses the work.
John B. Kennedy
Wednesday 6 Jul 2022
Defund LGNZ! Defund Zero Carbon Initiative NZ! Join Democracy Action…
Defund LGNZ! Defund Zero Carbon Initiative NZ! Join Democracy Action to stand against Three Waters!
Katie Allan
Friday 8 Apr 2022
I absolutely, 100% DO NOT support the 3waters scheme.
I absolutely, 100% DO NOT support the 3waters scheme. After watching the September 15th meeting I can appreciate the position you, our councilors are in, and I thank you for doing your best to ensure our questions are answered. Has therebeen
Any investigation into alternative viable solutions to the current water infrastructure upgrades? Do we know how the other councils are feeling? If all the councils oppose can we win? This and the Water Services Bill need to be halted NOW! We cannot give up control of our water!! They didn't listen to little old Southland when we said No to taking the funds from SIT, we must find a way to make sure we don't get pushed side and told to shut up again!! We say NO 3waters!!
Irirangi Luke
Friday 8 Oct 2021
I don't know enough about the details of this proposal…
I don't know enough about the details of this proposal to make a properly informed comment (does anyone?), but it is abundantly clear that our Council has made a complete mess of managing our assets under the existing system. The Councilors who have 'governed' the current shambles clearly need replacing. My main concern with three waters would be if we end up with a neo-liberal right-wing government that decides to privatise the assets.
Nick Kiddey
Thursday 30 Sep 2021
The 3 waters idea is complete madness.
The 3 waters idea is complete madness. To think that I have paid for our water reticulation system through my rates for many years, so the Government can buy it at a fraction of it's value, with a loan that I pay off with my taxes, so they can then charge me more to use the system that I've already paid for.
If any councillors voted for this then it shows they have complete lack of vision and foresight for the future of Southland.
I say NO!
Kere Menzies
Monday 27 Sep 2021
Should be 100% NOT aloud to happen,should go to a…
Should be 100% NOT aloud to happen,should go to a vote.
Peter Clyne
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
I am totally opposed to the 3 waters referendum.
I am totally opposed to the 3 waters referendum.
Deborah Paterson
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
100% apposed do not give away our assets
100% apposed do not give away our assets
Harley
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
100% oppose this legislation.
100% oppose this legislation.
Hayden McIntyre
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
I’m am completely opposed to the three waters asset grab.
I’m am completely opposed to the three waters asset grab.
Mathew paterson
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
We currently govern our local water scheme which serves more…
We currently govern our local water scheme which serves more than 200 farms and most of the houses on those farms. The users of the scheme paid to create the scheme and volunteered their time to build it, or have since paid to join the scheme.
We are aware of the Health departments requirements to provide safe drinking water and we don't need a centralized governing body with no local knowledge taking control of our asset which we have fought to retain control over.
Chris
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
I am completely opposed to the 3 waters asset grab.
I am completely opposed to the 3 waters asset grab. The council needs to say no to this in a very strong manner.
Ross paterson
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
This is not a good plan for southland.
This is not a good plan for southland. This will take the assets and controle of them from the rate payers. Government have not got a good track record in governing things centrally. We need a debate and vote in this with the people who pay for the water the local rate payers.
Kevin
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
I oppose the 3 waters reform and think it should…
I oppose the 3 waters reform and think it should be put to a referendum
Duncan
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
A referendum must be held when such a major change…
A referendum must be held when such a major change to council assets is proposed. Ratepayers must be able to have their say on this asset grab by central government.
Jane
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
This is a huge assett grab bu government.
This is a huge assett grab bu government. And it seems like the councils that havnt managed assets properly or too lazy to do so are the only ones supporting it. Referendums are required!
Craig
Sunday 26 Sep 2021
I am completely opposed to the nationalisation of ratepayer owned…
I am completely opposed to the nationalisation of ratepayer owned assets as proposed in 3 waters. Particularly if the control of those assets is offloaded to a third party as is currently proposed.
A national regulator to set and monitor water standards in-itself is not a bad thing but unfortunately the proposed new structure/s in 3 Waters have an incestuous nature to them and your average Joe ratepayer will have no say in what happens in the future.
Isn't the word that the new entity will employ 9000 people. In your wildest dreams could you imagine that monolith bringing savings to the consumer?
You only have to look at post war UK to see that centralised control of industry (and thats what this is) doesnt work.
If 3 Waters comes about and then fails (as it ultimately will in 20 or 30 years time). Do you envisage that the assests will ever be returned to the original owners (us)? No, central govt will sell the assets off just like they did with the deregulation of the electricity industry and ratepayers will forever have lost their assets and be even worse off.
David Diack
Saturday 25 Sep 2021
I'm opposed to adding any chemicals to our rain water…
I'm opposed to adding any chemicals to our rain water tank on medical grounds. We moved from WA in part due to the poor water quality there. Chemicals introduced into our drinking water whilst living in Perth exacerbated my wife's chronic psoriasis. These chemicals were fluoride, ammonia and chlorine and destroyed her much needed gut bacteria, that helped keep the psoriasis at bay. We found great improvement in this terrible condition when we visited NZ some 15 years ago and drank its pure rainwater. We couldn't get access to drinking untreated water in WA and our health professional at the time confirmed the improvement had to be due to the change in the quality of the water. These chemicals are detrimental to the health and wellbeing of many people who have epidermal and internal health conditions. I suffer from Dupuytren's disease which are fluid filled cysts that there is no cure for and rely on the reduction of harmful chemicals into my body in order to manage the condition. Having access to drinking rain water from a tank with no added chemicals has seen an improvement. One more point worth mentioning is chlorine is a corrosive and shortens the water pump life and copper pipes. I worked for sometime in the water tank industry in 1988 and saw first hand the damage over time chlorine did to the components to water pumps. We are pensioners and take care of our health so please take these points seriously.
David Vernon
Friday 24 Sep 2021
The Government 'water grab' would be disastrous, esp for…
The Government 'water grab' would be disastrous, esp for the large quarter in the South. Yes, they are desperate to own our successful water systems, but there would be no turning back. Is it not the government's job to support communities with technology, finance and science, not to bribe and manipulate councils? 'With the people, for the people' . Our water is more than liquid gold, it is our survival. Surely the best guardians of our water are those who drink it.
J Black
Thursday 23 Sep 2021
Why has the government had 63 meetings with iwi about…
Why has the government had 63 meetings with iwi about this topic and none with ratepayers?
The information leaked from government is that Ms Mahuta will make a mandatory decision totally disregarding local Councils and ratepayers.
I say NO
Diana
Wednesday 22 Sep 2021
I totally disagree with this reform!!
I totally disagree with this reform!!
Greg Drummond
Tuesday 14 Sep 2021
I totally oppose this proposal and as citizen and ratepayer…
I totally oppose this proposal and as citizen and ratepayer demand a democratic referendum to be held. The numbers provided by the government just don't add up. The centralization of yet another area of our lives should not be placed into the hands of some bureaucrats that are not even residing here in Southland. To expect Southlanders would just sign over their assets and rights to some private entity is outrages and undemocratic. I don't by the SAVE argument at all. There was never a case before and after Havelock. Complete overreaction and scaremongering tactics again from this government. I like to remind council that they work for US THE RATEPAYERS and not the government. SDC has done a good job in investing and maintaining in our water systems.
Katie Allan
Friday 10 Sep 2021
What does this mean for private bores, spring fed house…
What does this mean for private bores, spring fed house water?
Regulation never comes without cost to someone.
I also call for a referendum on 3 waters before a decision is made on our behalf.
Tania Clarke
Thursday 9 Sep 2021
I am 100% against the 3 waters happening and I…
I am 100% against the 3 waters happening and I want it tabled at your next meeting. Also before council make a decision I want council to put to a referendum
Peter Williams
Wednesday 8 Sep 2021