Three waters needs joint approach

Three waters need to be handled with a joint approach to all water management

IrrigationNZ believes Government investment in the water sector is a step in the right direction – but calls for a broader strategy to encompass all water infrastructure, including storage and policy development.

In early July, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced the Government will invest $761 million as part of the three waters infastrucuture stimulus package, for a much-needed upgrade to water services across the country.

In late July, the Government introduced legislation as part of the three waters regulatory reform to Parliament to transform drinking water safety in New Zealand and improve environmental outcomes for our wastewater and stormwater networks.

This Bill comprises a significant part of the Government’s response to the inquiry report and is modelled on the core fundamental principles of drinking water safety as identified by the Inquiry.

These include: • A high standard of care must be embraced in relation to drinking water • The protection of source water is of paramount importance. • Multiple barriers against contamination of drinking water must be maintained. • Water contamination is almost always preceded by change and these changes must never be ignored. • Suppliers must guarantee the safety of drinking water; and • A preventative risk management approach must be applied in relation to drinking water.

IrrigationNZ Chief Executive Elizabeth Soal said the proposal to reform water service delivery into large-scale multi-regional providers (for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater) will provide greater opportunities for investment in water infrastructure (such as water storage) that will improve outcomes beyond three waters, to include water for irrigation, reallocation, and the environment.

“Small local authorities have been constrained from large-scale investments due to restrictions on their borrowing ability, smaller balance sheets, and small rating bases. An amalgamated model could facilitate borrowing for larger water projects.”

The Government is reviewing how to improve the regulation and supply arrangements of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater (three waters) to better support New Zealand’s prosperity, health, safety, and environment. Most three waters assets and services, but not all, are owned and delivered by local councils.

The Three Waters Review is a cross-government initiative led by the Minister of Local Government. Other involved agencies and portfolios include: Health, Environment, Finance, Business Innovation and Employment, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Primary Industries, Climate Change, Infrastructure, Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Housing and Urban Development, Transport, Conservation, and Rural Communities.

The Review, began in mid-2017, ran in parallel to the latter stages of the Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water, which was set up following the campylobacter outbreak in 2016.

Up to 5,500 people were ill as a result and four people are thought to have died from associated causes.

The initial findings of the Review were consistent with many of the Havelock North Inquiry’s findings and raised broader questions about the effectiveness of the regulatory regime for the three waters, and the capability and sustainability of water service providers.

IrrigationNZ has been advocating for some time for the need for New Zealand to develop an overarching water strategy to guide our planning at the national and regional levels.

“While we are seeing a focus on water from across various policy areas such as the primary sector’s Fit for a Better World, the Essential Freshwater policy package, the creation of the drinking water authority Taumata Arowai and now water services delivery – we are yet to see a joined up approach. This will be particularly important if we are to have a national conversation about water allocation and are to address the still unresolved issue of Māori rights and interests in freshwater.”

“In terms of today’s announcement, the Government has also signalled incentive funding for rural drinking water supplies. The irrigation sector already owns some of this infrastructure and we look forward to working with the Government on this,” said Ms Soal.