Water November/December 2021

water MAY 2015 | ISSUE 189

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 ISSUE 222

Getting smart about water New digital technologies to improve asset management The importance of wastewater testing for Covid-19 Watercare: Working through lockdown

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CONTENTS WATER NEW ZEALAND

President: Helen Atkins Board Members: Troy Brockbank, Fraser Clark, Tim Gibson, Lorraine Kendrick, Priyan Perera, Dr Deborah Lind, Shelley Wharton, Chief Executive: Gillian Blythe Water Group Co-ordinator: Katrina Guy Administration Officer: Pip Donnelly

water Issue 222 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

INSIDE 4 President’s comment – A year of change draws to a close

13 Pioneering new flushability standards

Communications Manager: Debra Harrington

6 New honorary life members

16 Navigating to new zero

Marketing Co-ordinator: Renee Butler

8 New appointees to the board

Technical Manager: Noel Roberts Insight and Sustainability Advisor: Lesley Smith Training Development Manager: Mumtaz Parker

Administrator: Paris Elwood

14 New competency framework tool

Backflow: Paul van den Berg, P: +64 27 509 9962

COMMENT

DIGITAL FEATURES

Climate Change: Jon Reed, P: +64 9 300 9267

18 Compelling case for change

62 Data governance 101

20 Becoming a dedicated water services

65 Manage a critical event, avert a crisis

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Smart Water Infrastructure: Vacant Modelling: Fiona Macdonald, M: +64 21 390 781 Small Wastewater & Natural Systems: Sandy Ormiston Stormwater: Kate Purton, P: 021 0375 872 Water Service Managers’ Group: Kalley Simpson, P: +64 21 223 3428 Young Water Professionals: AKL: Olivia Philpott, P: +64 22 043 2419 WLG: Aidan Crimp, P: +64 21 829 650 CHC: Liam Allan, P: +64 27 385 7003 WeCan: Christine McCormack, P: +64 22 512 3553 WATER JOURNAL Editorial: Mary Searle Bell, M: +64 21 676 034 Contrafed Publishing Advertising Sales: Debbie Laing M: +64 27 455 0223 Design: Contrafed Publishing 1 Grange Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024 PO Box 112 357, Penrose, Auckland, 1642 P: +64 9 636 5715 www.contrafed.co.nz Distribution: Pip Donnelly P: +64 4 472 8925 DISCLAIMER: Water New Zealand reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material submitted for publication.

The opinions expressed in contributions to Water are not necessarily those of Water New Zealand. The information contained in this publication is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, neither Water New Zealand, nor any person(s) involved in the preparation of this publication accept any form of liability whatsoever for its content including advertisements, editorials, opinions, advice or information. This extends to any consequences from its use. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or ink–jet printing without prior written permission of the publishers.

regulator 24 Ma-ori involvement in Three Waters

69 Sustainable water through smart

will benefit all

asset management

34 Managing Our Wetlands discussion document

74 Enabling horizon technology 78 Creating a smart water network for Christchurch

FEATURES

82 Solving sewer network issues with

30 The largest flood flow ever measured 32 Redesigning a stormwater drainage reserve

smart sensors 86 Are you listening to your infrastructure

36 New weapon in fight against invasive aquatic weeds

89 Improving access management with smart locks

38 Taking science to the sea 40 Protecting our taonga together

REGULARS

46 A look inside New Zealand’s most

26 Profile – Brian Park 28 Profile – Rowena Pucaru

locked-down water utility 57 Study confirms wastewater provides

92 Health – Hidden hazard for outdoor workers

critical earl warning for community

94 International – Lake water

outbreaks of Covid

utilisation for heat pump

‘Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora nga- tangata’

96 Australia – Saving Melbourne’s

‘If the water is healthy, the land is healthy, the people are healthy’

99 Pacific – A gift of clean water

technology platypus with smart water storage

ISSN 1179-2949 (Print) ISSN 2382-1906 (Online) www.waternz.org.nz

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The official journal of Water New Zealand – New Zealand’s only water environment periodical. Established in 1958, Water New Zealand is a non-profit organisation.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND FROM THE PRESIDENT

A year of change draws to a close Helen Atkins President, Water New Zealand

W

e’re nearly at the end of yet another very eventful year on the Three Waters calendar.

In October, the Government unveiled its intention to set up four new entities for the delivery and service of Three Waters. It’s a big step in a bold new direction and it’s taken a long time – many years – to get to this point.

But we need to remember that even now, we’re just at the start of this new pathway. A lot more discussion is needed before the new entities take on the management of such a critically important network.

Many of us are going to be occupied with the complexities of the Water Service Entity Establishment legislation, economic regulation, and transitioning out of the RMA towards its successors – the Natural and Built Environments, Strategic Planning and Climate Change Adaptation Acts.

Throughout these changes, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Three Waters is really one water – in that what we do is very much inter-related with the wider water sector and the environment.

With that in mind, I‘ve been very encouraged by the genuine interest and thirst for knowledge that so many members have demonstrated in engaging and understanding the concept of Te Mana o te Wai which is in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and in the Water Services Act 2021. We are likely to be considering other similar changes as the RMA reform process gets underway.

It’s been an honour to have taken part in some of the rich conversations around how we, in the water sector, can give effect to Te Mana o te Wai. We have also started a conversation about the meaning of Te Oranga o te Taiao, a concept that is currently in the exposure

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draft of the Natural and Built Environments Bill. It has been extremely pleasing to see so many of you at our webinars as well as engaging in our cultural module. We have more planned in the coming months as the reform package winds it way through the various processes it has to follow.

Placing the health and well-being of the water at the centre of what we do is key to ensuring Te Mana o te Wai. As a nation, I personally consider that this is a positive change in our values and our relationship with water.

A major focus throughout this year has been helping members navigate through the new water services regulatory regime. By the time this journal goes to print the Water Services Act will have come into force and Taumata Arowai will have formally taken over the functions from the Ministry of Health.

Our sessions and webinars with Taumata Arowai were exceedingly well subscribed and we will continue to ensure there are plenty more opportunities to engage with the new regulator, including through our pre-conference workshop at our Water New Zealand Conference and Expo in Hamilton, in February.

We are very optimistic that 2022 will be a year that we can get together.

If you haven’t already, take a look at the programme – there are so many inspiring speakers and relevant topics, as well as stimulating and innovative ideas.

I am going to confidentially say that I will see you in February.

In the meantime, have a safe and happy festive season with friends and family.

He waka eke noa Helen Atkins President

23 –25 February 2022, Hamilton

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT OUR NEW DATES IN FEBRUARY

THANK YOU TO OUR PREMIER PARTNERS

An Auckland Council Organisation

GO TO WWW.WATERNZCONFERENCE.ORG.NZ TO REGISTER OR FIND OUT MORE

WATER NEW ZEALAND UPFRONT

CONGRATULATIONS to our new honorary life members Honorary life membership of Water New Zealand is a particularly high accolade given for sustained and significant contribution to the association.

This year, five long-serving members received the award.

Dukessa Blackburn-Huettner has been very active on the Water New Zealand scene. She was on the Water New Zealand board for six years, including two years as president. Prior to that, she served on the Technical Committee for eight years and was its chair for three years.

She is also on the NAMS (National Asset Management Support) committee and a past judge of the Young Water Professional award. Dukessa was promoted to Fellow of Engineering in 2019 in recognition of her contribution to New Zealand’s Three Waters sector, and she is a member of the New Zealand Gold Shovel Chapter.

Dukessa has worked hard to encourage young people to join our industry and to make it more attractive to them. She is passionate about raising the profile of the issues surrounding stormwater management and the emerging challenges around stormwater.

Leading the Lifecycle Management group for Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters, she brings a useful mixture of management and technical expertise, across consulting and local government.

Craig Freeman is committed to the activities of the small water systems group within Water New Zealand and has championed the advancement of the knowledge and capability of the operational sector.

Craig is a founding shareholder of Filtec, a company well known for its support of Water New Zealand and providing input into its technical work programme.

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He has given trusted advice to the Ministry of Health and to Taumata Arowai through his membership of the MoH NZDWS 2008 Expert Committee, and is a member of the DWSNZ 2018 committee. He also worked with Water New Zealand as a reviewer of its submission on the 2020/21 Water Services Bill.

His network across the industry allows him to openly share issues and connect people.

His long and valuable contributions to the water industry was recognised by induction to the New Zealand Gold Shovel Chapter.

Ian Garside was nominated for honorary life membership for his contributions and commitment over many years to the Technical Committee and to the Modelling Special Interest Group.

He has been a member of the Technical Committee since 2007, and chair since 2012. The Water New Zealand conference has steadily increased in the quality and range of papers presented over that time, and much of the credit goes to Ian for the way in which he has led the committee.

His role as chair is a high-pressure one, as during annual conference, with the support of his committee members, Ian must attend the presentations and mark papers, all in time for the awards presentation at the Conference Dinner – no small feat year after year!

Ian was a founding member of the Modelling Special Interest Group in 1999, served on its Committee from 2002-08, and was chair from 2003-04. Aside from these two important committees, he was also a member of the Rainfall Runoff Steering Group, and is a member of the NZ Gold Shovel Chapter.

Kelvin Hill has been contributing to the water sector for more than 20 years and has been an active member of Water New Zealand across that time. He joined the board in 2013 as an elected member from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Kelvin was elected president in 2018, and was inducted into the New Zealand Gold Shovel Chapter at the end of his presidential term in 2020.

His passion for sharing knowledge across the breadth of our industry has been demonstrated by long and effective stints in committee positions on the WSMG and conference technical committee.

Kelvin, in his almost 10 year contribution to the conference technical committee and as a sitting board member, played a pivotal role in ensuring that there was a strong linkage between the direction of the board and the content of the conference programme.

Above all, Kelvin has an ongoing passion for involving, mentoring, and otherwise encouraging our young professionals.

Marion Savill is an environmental science specialist, working on microbiological contamination of environmental water and associated public health risk.

She was the environmental microbiology water business leader at ESR, where she worked for more than 20 years, having previously worked at its predecessor, the Department of Scientific Industrial Research.

Throughout her career, Marion has maintained involvement in Water New Zealand’s activities and interests, attending many annual conferences and chairing the conference’s science stream, providing strong links to IWA. She is president of the New Zealand chapter of the IWA’s Health-Related Water Microbiology (HRWM) group. In that role she gained the hosting of the IWA HRWM Symposium (Rotorua 2011).

Following the Havelock North contamination event, Marion provided support to Water New Zealand, moderating the 2017 Drinking Water Workshop.

She has continued to work with Water New Zealand and in late 2019 succeeded in winning the hosting of the 2023 IWA (ASPIRE) conference for the Pacific and South-East Asian regions in Auckland. This has now been rescheduled to 2025 because of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

In recognition of her contribution, Marion became a member of the New Zealand Gold Shovel Chapter in 2020.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND UPFRONT

New appointees to the board Water New Zealand is pleased to welcome three new board members following the AGM in September. Shelley Wharton and Fraser Clark join the board, while co-opted member Troy Brockbank returns as an appointed member of the board.

Meanwhile, earlier in the year, elected board member Lorraine Kendrick accepted the role of president-elect. Lorraine will take over from current President Helen Atkins at the 2022 AGM scheduled to be held in October 2022 in Christchurch.

Shelley Wharton is an environmental engineer with 20 years’ experience in local government leadership roles across Auckland and Northland.

Her current role is manager, infrastructure planning and capital works at Whangārei District Council.

Shelley is passionate about environmental outcomes related to Three Waters, and particularly interested in the future of partnering with tangata whenua to achieve Te Mana o te Wai outcomes.

Much of her career has been leadership roles in local government and Three Waters, specialising in stormwater management and the delivery of strategic and complex programmes and projects, from planning to policy to construction, water sensitive design, Three Waters, land development, engineering standards, and guidelines for sustainable stormwater practices Troy Brockbank is a civil engineer, a water practitioner, and pou ārahi Māori - Māori advisory lead (principal) at Pattle Delamore Partners. He has more than 10 years' professional experience in the water industry across engineering consultancies, civil contractors, and suppliers.

Troy was the recipient of the 2018 Beca Young Water Professional of the Year Award and has been the deputy chair of the Stormwater Group.

He is passionate about empowering the water industry to incorporate Māori values and perspectives into our professional capacities, bridging the Māori and engineering worlds and

8 www.waternz.org.nz

Top: Shelley Wharton; centre: Fraser Clark; above: Troy Brockbank.

combining the best of both for the protection of water into the future.

“Wai (Water) is the essence of all life and the world’s most precious resource. It is of high importance to Māori, as it is the life giver of all things, a precious taonga (treasure), part of our whakapapa (genealogy), part of our identity.

For Māori, the health of the water is connected to the health of the people. We are one and the same. If the water is unhealthy, we are unhealthy.”

Fraser Clark is principal advisor, strategy at Wellington Water. He has worked in the water sector for just under three years after more than 15 years’ experience in senior leadership and strategic roles in the electricity and energy sector, including with the regulator. This includes general manager Market Services at the

Electricity Authority as well as CEO of the Wind Energy Association.

As a Water New Zealand member, Fraser has been part of the team developing the industry guidance for carbon emissions reduction and part of the Water Utilities Association.

Fraser says that the pending reform of the water sector provides significant opportunity to take a big step forward on capability, capacity, delivery, and customer outcomes. Water New Zealand will have an important role to support the sector to share its capability, knowledge and work collectively.

President elect Lorraine Kendrick is a principal project director at Beca and has more than 22 years’ experience in programme, project, and contract management, specialising in the delivery and management of the Three Waters in New Zealand, UK and Ireland.

A chartered and international professional engineer, Lorraine has managed the provision of three water services, transportation, community services and land development, including delivering an annual capital programme of $130 million for Waipa District Council.

Lorraine says it is vital that, through Water New Zealand, the sector views are both heard and represented, and that there is an understanding and appreciation of what is happening in the Three Waters area, particularly at this time of change.

“It is essential that the sector continues to partner with and take direction from tangata whenua to ensure Te Mana o te Wai is exercised in place, informed by mātauranga-a-iwi.”

Lorraine supports attracting and incentivising great people into the sector as well as improving training and career opportunities to retain the people we already have.

“It is an exciting time for the water sector as we respond to increased compliance standards and look to lift the performance to deliver world class water services for all.”

As well as being a current board member, Lorraine is a former chair of the Water Services Managers’ Group.

International success for young water professional

By Becs Wheeler, BD advisor – industrial, Beca.

Beca’s David Grace was one of 54 water professionals from around the world to successfully graduate from the 2021 WEF Water Leadership Institute (WLI) programme this year.

The programme is aimed at educating and training emerging leaders and providing them with opportunities to build strong, lasting relationships within the water sector.

The intensive programme enables participants to engage in management training and leadership development through a blended learning approach that includes examining complex challenges facing the water and wastewater industries and networking with public

and private sector practitioners.

David is one of only four Kiwis to have completed this programme out of almost 500 participants who have graduated since the programme’s inauguration in 2012. The three others are Fiona Macdonald (Healthy Waters, Auckland Council), Erin Ganley (Wellington Water) and Roanna Purcaru (GHD).

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, David was unable to attend the course in person, and instead attended virtually. He was also unable to attend the WLI graduation celebration which was held during WEFTEC 21 in Chicago.

However, the programme has allowed David to build up his knowledge and network within the water and wastewater industry and create a

wider global network of peers.

“Overall it’s been a massive privilege. My thanks go to Garry Macdonald for mentoring me throughout the programme, and my section managers for giving me the nod to go ahead with it,” he says.

Applications for the 2022 programme close January 20, 2022.

The 2021 cohort developed a series of ‘Ted’style talks where participants dived into the challenges the US water industry is facing (and to be honest, they are actually global issues).

View these by going to the website, wef.org/ ChangeSeries.

To apply for the 2022 programme, go to bit.ly/3CvodFn

New leader for Water Services Managers group As we all know, Covid has been a huge disruption to business as usual, requring us to be nimble and adjust to new work patterns.

The water services managers group has been no less affected. It is against this backdrop that we farewell the outgoing chair Martyn Cole of Wellington Water, who this October handed the baton to Kalley Simpson of Waimakariri District Council.

The Water Service Managers group is a network of Territorial Local Authorities or their agents who are responsible for the management of water supply, trunk sewers, local reticulation, sewage treatment and stormwater assets. In a typical year, the group meet biannually to share knowledge and collaboratively work on projects that advance

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the interests of the group as a whole.

Martyn has been leading the group since November 2018, navigating the group through the disruptions of the Covid pandemic.

Throughout this time the group has constantly evolved the network to adapt to the shifting restrictions and challenges that Covid has thrown at water service providers.

The network has proved itself as an essential knowledge sharing hub, helping disseminate advice to ensure the continuous and safe operation of our water supplies during the pandemic. The first lockdown saw the group meeting weekly to ensure timely information was provided to water service managers, and constraints and operational pressures communicated back to government.

Throughout this time the group has also

managed to maintain a business as usual workplan, funding the development of a number of guidelines including wastewater wet weather overflows, greenhouse gas emissions, and better understanding of household water use.

It has been Martyn’s energy, enthusiasm and positive outlook that has helped keep the group on track throughout these tumultuous changes and importantly, raising Te Ao Ma-ori awareness within the group. We look forward to working with the new chair Kalley, as he steps into boots so big that Kalley describes them as “waders”.

Thank you Martyn for your leadership, insight, and energy and enormous contribution to the water services managers network.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND UPFRONT

Huge response to new regulatory webinar series A recent Taumata Arowai webinar series, hosted by Water New Zealand, on proposed new rules and standards have proven to be extremely popular with members and others working in the water sector.

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says there is understandably a huge thirst for information on the regulatory changes and the effect they will have on the day-to-day operations of the industry.

The new water services entity, Taumata Arowai, officially became an entity on November 15.

While consultation on the new rules won’t take place until the new year, Taumata Arowai is keen to ensure water suppliers understand the

proposed new requirements.

The new regulator has made it clear there will be a transition timetable between the changeover from the current Ministry of Health Drinking Water Standards to the new standards.

“In other words, there is a clear process, and the new regulator has indicated it will work with us in the sector to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“From Water New Zealand’s perspective, we’re clear that our key goal is to help our members navigate the new environment and that’s why we were very happy to host this webinar series.

“We will continue to keep members informed though our channels such as website, webinars, and Pipeline e-newsletters, so keep an eye out for further updates.”

If you missed the webinar series, you can go to our website, www.waternz.org.nz/Resources/ knowledgebase, to download the recordings.

Te Mana o te Wai webinar As we grapple with putting into effect fundamental principles such as Te Mana o te Wai and Te Oranga o te Taiao, Water New Zealand has been running a series of events including webinars to help members understand what this means for them.

These are concepts that will require us to adapt and develop new ways of engaging with

2022 Water Directory Make sure your business is included in next year’s online and printed Water Directory.

If you are currently listed in the directory, you will have received an email with information about changes to the next edition and a proof of your listing to amend. We have a tight timeframe this year so if you are able to review this as soon as possible, we would appreciate it!

If you are not currently listed, and would like to be, please email advertising@waternz.org.nz for more information.

10 www.waternz.org.nz

our communities and mana whenua.

Recently Water New Zealand president Helen Atkins and board member Troy Brockbank were joined by the chair of the Papa Pounamu, Māori planning practitioner, Jade Wikaira in a webinar to help unpack these concepts – from the context and background, to how planners can turn these into actions to create better

solutions through to examples of what needs to take place around freshwater management and service delivery.

If you missed the webinar, you can view the recording by going to our website, www.waternz. org.nz/Resources/knowledgebase, where you’ll also see a number of other recent webinars on key issues facing the sector. It’s worth a look.

New BoP Young Water Professionals (YWP) group Twenty young water professionals turned up for the first ever get together of the new Bay of Plenty Young Water Professionals group in August.

It was the first of what is looking to be many great events and opportunities for YWPs in the Bay of Plenty.

Sponsored by Hynds Pipe Systems, the group shared pizza and discussed the Three Waters reforms and future challenges with Stephen Burton and Kelvin Hill from Tauranga City Council.

If you are interested in joining the BoP YWP committee, please get in touch by emailing Katrina Guy, katrina.guy@waternz.org.nz.

Reducing our environmental impact The Water New Zealand Conference and Expo is an event which calls on the industry to create a more sustainable water future, so it is important that we are also striving to create a more sustainable event each year.

Our sustainability initiatives include using less: We have changed our design concept to adopt consistent branding across years to enable us to reduce the amount of new consumables purchased. For example, we now recycle lanyards, providing a dedicated recycling bin at the registration desk.

We have limited the number of satchels created for the past few years to ensure we only produce what we need. They can also be used as a reusable shopping bag. We have also removed satchel inserts as a sponsorship opportunity to reduce single use waste.

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Throughout the venue our delegates will see several recycling options, including food waste, to help divert rubbish from landfill. We have removed the use of single use coffee cups and only use crockery and keep cups at our coffee stands to reduce waste.

We provide conference buses from accommodation to venue to encourage delegates to help cut down the event’s carbon footprint.

Our menu is developed with the caterers to source from as many local providers as possible. We work to find the right balance between plant-based options and catering to different dietary requirements and preferences.

We know that there is more that we can do and are always looking for more ways to reduce our impact. If you have any ideas, please contact Renee Butler at: renee.butler@waternz.org.nz.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND UPFRONT

Water Distribution Modelling Guide With recent modelling on future investment needs for our water sector estimated to be between $120b and $185b over the next 30 to 40 years, there is a serious need to ensure we are optimising our existing infrastructure and future decisions.

This is where the recently released Water Distribution Network Modelling Guidelines come in. Developed by the Water New Zealand Modelling Group over a number of years, the guide updates a 2009 version and is now accessable via the Water New Zealand knowledge base: waternz.org.nz/Resources/knowledgebase-landing Water distribution systems models are a helpful tool to inform decision making. There are a broad range of questions that a model can help you answer, spanning operational management, planning, legislative compliance, and water quality issues. To name but a few, a model can help you answer the following: • What impact will future population growth have on my network?

• What financial contributions should be required of new developments?

• How often should I flush my distribution system?

• What gave rise to that water contamination event?

• How effective have asset rehabilitation techniques proven?

• What level of service am I providing across my network?

Development and use of water distribution models comprises many activities and processes but unlike the varied questions asked of models, there are a number of common stages that need to be considered in developing a model.

As with any complex task, the model can be managed more successfully and efficiently if it is broken down into these components or stages. The guideline provides advice on how to undertake each of these stages as well as principles of ‘good modelling practice’.

Like its companion document, the “Wastewater Modelling Guidelines” (also available via the Water New Zealand knowledge base) the guidelines have been developed as a resource involved in undertaking and managing water supply modelling projects. They are a helpful reference for managers, designers, operational and planning engineers, or consultants, and those either relatively new to modelling techniques or involved in the scoping or reviewing modelling outputs.

This document reflects the enormous value modelling profesionals see in well-constructed models to answer some of our toughest questions.

Our thanks go to all involved in the development of these guidelines, and in particular, Zoran Pilipovic, Danilo Mihic, Charlotte Mills, Jeff Maclean, Jeff Booth and Mike Dunstone for their time and insights.

Modelling Symposium

Wednesday 16 - Thursday 17 March 2022 Join us March 16-17 2022 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington for our annual Modelling Symposium.

Register online now at waternz.org.nz Modelling Symposium 2022

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How does your water system performance rate?

Want to know how effective your sewerage network is compared to other utilities, the level of service your customers are receiving, or how your network investment compares with other parts of the country?

Recently Water New Zealand’s technical manager Noel Roberts and insights and sustainability advisor Lesley Smith presented at a ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar aimed at helping

members understand how their water networks perform compared to other places.

More than 100 water sector members joined the “Understanding the Performance of your Water Networks” live discussion, which was based around Water New Zealand’s annual benchmarking report, the National Performance Review, and suitable for a non-technical audience.

Water New Zealand CEO, Gillian Blythe

stressed the webinar was not about governance issues but about ensuring that members understood the level of in-depth performance data available through our resources and how to access it.

Water New Zealand has been benchmarking water system performance since 2008. If you missed this webinar, the recording is available in the webinars section on our website.

Pioneering new flushability standards We are set to be one of the first countries in the world to adopt agreed flushable standards for products such as wet wipes.

As well as providing consumers with better information about what products are suitable for flushing, this is a move that could set the standard for other countries to follow.

Two years ago, Water New Zealand joined with its Australian counterpart WSAA (Water Services Association of Australia), wet wipes manufacturers, and water utilities to develop joint standards that would define what products can be labelled as flushable.

Submissions on the standards closed on 1 November and the new standards, AS NZS 5328 Flushable Products, are likely to be published in March 2022.

Water New Zealand’s representative on the standards development group (WS-041), technical manager Noel Roberts, says that not

all products currently labelled as flushable will pass this new standard.

As well as helping to enforce clearer labelling on products such as wipes, he says the new standards have been agreed to by manufacturers as well as the wastewater industry.

“This is one reason why the standards development process has been lengthy.

“The manufacturers and utilities clearly came to the table with different viewpoints but what we have come up with is certainly an improvement on the current situation where we have operated under different sets of standards.

“It means that once the new standards have been published, wipes manufacturers will have to meet these standards in order to label their product as flushable.”

Clearing pipe blockages caused by inappropriate flushing of products such as

wipes create extra costs for water utilities and customers and impact the environment through sewage overflows.

However, Noel says that while the new standards are a step forward, they won’t address the many other environmental concerns around products that people throw down toilets, that were never intended to be flushable, such as cotton buds or kitty litter.

“These standards don’t consider further downstream effects on the fresh water environment, such as some woven products containing plastic. There are other standards that exist for this.

“There is a significant use of products that contain plastic and plastic by-products.

Unfortunately, when these enter wastewater treatment plants a proportion of nonbiodegradable plastic residue is not removed and goes to the environment.”

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

13

WATER NEW ZEALAND UPFRONT

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User-friendly tool to help advance water careers Water New Zealand’s new competency framework aims to provide a straight-forward user-friendly format that will help employees understand and plan their career moves.

Training development manager Mumtaz Parker says she hopes that all water sector employees will take a look at the new tool and find out their individual opportunities to upskill.

“We’ve deliberately designed the framework to be a user-friendly approach, with a simple at-a-glance format, that will show a clear pathway for career progression.

“Although the framework provides the all-important competency information that managers and employers need to be assured of from within their own staff, we certainly hope that it won’t just remain in the hands of employers.”

She’s urging all employees to find out what they can do and learn about to progress their careers.

“For instance, if you are a junior water treatment operator, you can go to the framework and see the steps needed to progress towards becoming a treatment plant manager.

The competency framework is still in development but four roles have been covered to date. These are drinking water treatment operator, wastewater treatment operator, drinking water distribution operator, and wastewater network operator.

There is currently a huge amount of information available for each of these roles on the Water New Zealand website.

In addition, individuals will also be able to identify the additional training they may require to get them to the next step in their career. Where available, the training and/or unit standard applicable to a particular topic, will be available as well.

The table opposite is a snapshot of what the user-friendly approach at a glance looks like.

To see this in the digital format, go to the Water New Zealand website and click on each of the items listed, you’ll then be directed to the relevant section in the framework document for that specific role.

New competency frameworks currently in development include the Small and Rural Suppliers Competency Framework which should be available for consultation by mid-December.

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Water New Zealand has two digital badges available: Drinking Water 101 and Wastewater 101. Visit the Water New Zealand events section to register for either or both. We offer these on a fortnightly basis. People have four weeks to complete this online training. In total it takes anywhere between four and six hours to complete.

Currently in development is Stormwater 101 and Small & Rural Water Suppliers 101 digital badge. Keep an eye on the training page on the Water New Zealand website.

Mentoring Programme

We have a few mentees that require mentors. If you would like to mentor someone who may be new to the water sector, or providing guidance and advice to someone progressing through their careers, then please email Mumtaz Parker at training@waternz.org.nz.

Drinking water treatment plant operator Category

Element

Governance, Legislation and Regulatory Frameworks

Needs to be able to

Needs to know

Roles

Kaiwhakamahi whakapai wai – Junior operator

Kaiwhakamahi Matua Whakapai wai – Senior Water treatment operator

Kaiwhakahaere wheketere whakapai wai – Water treatment plant manager

Operate the water treatment plant in a manner that follows the Water Safety Plan for the supply and meets the Drinking Water Standards.

✔

✔

✔

Provide information to the appropriate people regarding the performance of the water treatment plant to facilitate asset management planning as required under the Local Government Act.

✔

✔

✔

Operate the water treatment plant within any requirements that have been set out in the local bylaws specific to their territorial authority.

✔

✔

✔

Operate the water treatment plant within the conditions set in the resource consent(s) for the water take, and any waste and air discharges for the plant.

✔

✔

✔

Safely operate the water treatment plant in a manner that addresses health and safety risks, including the correct use and storage of hazardous substances.

✔

✔

✔

Kaiārahi wheketere whakapai wai Water Treatment Plant Team leader

✔

✔

About the Health Act, which requires drinking water suppliers to meet the Drinking Water Standards, and to have and implement a Water Safety Plan for each supply.

✔

Water sector regulation covering Water Safety Plan requirements, operational compliance rules, Acceptable Solutions, and the requirement to give effect to Te Mana o te Wai.

✔

✔

✔

About the Resource Management Act which regulates the source of water and requires the taking of water and the discharge of wastewater.

✔

✔

✔

About the Local Government Act

✔

✔

✔

About the Building Code

✔

✔

✔

About the Building Act

✔

✔

✔

About the Health and Safety of Work Act which is concerned with the health and safety of workers and visitors to the site.

✔

✔

✔

About the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.

✔

✔

✔

About the Health and Safety in Employment (Pressure Equipment, Cranes and Passenger Ropeways) Regulations 1999.

✔

✔

✔

✔

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

15

WATER NEW ZEALAND UPFRONT

Navigating to net zero The water sector’s journey to support global greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

By Water New Zealand insights and sustainability advisor Lesley Smith.

As Water went to print, COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference was nearing its close. Many believe this summit for world leaders may be the last chance of agreeing on targets to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees and avert climate catastrophe.

It is an enormous goal, and so it’s worth taking the time to remind ourselves what is at stake. The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group, ‘Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis’, released last September, was described by UN secretary-general António Guterres as a “code red for humanity”.

According to the report, scientists are observing changes in the Earth’s climate in every region and across the whole climate system.

Many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion – such as continued sea level rise – are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.

“We are already at 1.2 degrees and rising,” he says in his statement. “If we combine forces now, we can avert climate catastrophe. But, as today’s report makes clear, there is no time for delay and no room for excuses.”

However the IPCC has also shown the difference that strong and sustained reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases would limit climate change.

To achieve the ambitious goal of limiting global temperature rises the world needs to halve emissions over the next decade and reach net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century.

It is not a goal that will be achieved by state actors alone.

On August 6, the IPCC finalised its sixth ‘Assessment Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis’. The report provides the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change, bringing together the latest advances in climate science, and combining multiple lines of evidence. The report and associated resources are available online: bit.ly/3CAqdw3

16 www.waternz.org.nz

Nigel Topping, a business leader working with the UN, has been driving the push to get business onboard with the global commitments. In his words “States and non-state actors alike are galvanizing behind the guiding star of net zero emissions before 2050, but we are running out of time.

We must urgently pivot to delivering the halving of our emissions by 2030, with robust short-term plans and longer-term strategies.”

As a platform to unite global actors, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has established a Race to Zero platform. It outlines pathways for decarbonisation, including water, and outlines the vision for the future.

It is 2050 and the global water sector is entirely sustainable thanks to a suite of ambitious policies and large-scale investments.

Novel circular approaches to water use – and reuse – are especially influential because of their ability to capture embedded energy in today’s water management systems that was previously lost. This energy is all emissions-free and is helping make the water sector not just net zero but net positive.

With radical changes to the way we manage water being discussed, and a mooted investment need of up to $180 billion, New Zealand now finds itself at a critical juncture.

To date, business as usual investment and operations of our assets have focused little on their carbon impacts. A major pivot is needed if

Race to Zero is the UN-backed global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial, and educational institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world. The platform brings together water related news and insights on the race to zero emissions: bit.ly/2Y40Nbp

the goals of emissions reduction and the need to address our ailing infrastructure are to be reconciled.

To begin us on a journey to understanding and reducing our emissions, the Water New Zealand Climate Group has developed ‘Navigating to Net Zero: Aotearoa’s water sector low-carbon journey’.

The document, to be launched in late November, has been developed to help guide water service providers on the journey to a low-carbon future. This document provides a starting point, and sets out how the water industry can plan to reduce carbon emissions to achieve a net zero target.

Development of the document was informed by the hive mind of the water sector, with knowledge and case studies collated through a series of workshops at the 2020 Water New Zealand conference and 2021 Climate Symposium.

These learnings served the basis for the development of the document, led by Jon Reed of Beca who co-authored the document with Climate Group members Chris Thurston of Watercare, Nick Dempsey of Mott MacDonald, Catherine Taiapa of Armatec, Geoff Bennett of Carbon EMS, Rita Whitfield of Stantec, Fraser Clark of Wellington Water, as well as myself.

The document provides a framework for taking action in our business, and case studies of work underway. It looks at the organisational drivers, as well as emission reduction opportunities that exist within the water sector, ranging from fuel switching, process optimisations, renewable energy generation and water demand management.

While it is easy to be overwhelmed by the enormous global challenges coming our way, for us in the water sector, there are also real opportunities at local level to contribute to making a difference.

While Navigating to net-zero in the water sector may not be front and centre of discussion in Glasgow, it needs to be an important component of any future planning and thinking here.

Navigating to Net Zero will be launched on 3 December. Go to www.waternz.org.nz for more information.

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Pre-conference Workshop Taumata Arowai 23 –25 February 2022, Hamilton

Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm Date: Tuesday 22 February 2022

The approach it will take; water safety planning vs water safety plans; how it will operationalise the standards, rules and acceptable solutions; source water risk management plans; compliance monitoring; transition arrangements and more.

Department of Internal Affairs Department of Internal Affairs: unpack the Government decisions on how to progress the Three Waters service delivery reform and next steps.

GO TO WWW.WATERNZCONFERENCE.ORG.NZ

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

17

WATER NEW ZEALAND COMMENT

Compelling case for change Following four years of research, policy work, and engagement with Local Government, Ma-ori, and the water industry, the Government is pushing ahead with its Three Waters Reforms. Much of the transformational work lies ahead, writes Three Waters Reform programme executive director Allan Prangnell.

Last month Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta confirmed the Government will proceed with its plan to create four publicly owned water entities to assume responsibility for delivery of Three Waters services. The goal is to ensure all communities have safe, affordable, and sustainable drinking water services, and stormwater and wastewater networks that achieve good outcomes for the environment.

This decision by Cabinet comes after four years of research and analysis of the intergenerational issues that have led to our current situation, scoping and modelling of reform options and testing these with councils, iwi and industry to make sure all perspectives have been considered.

Progress to reach this point is an achievement in itself and has required a great deal of input and work from a wide range of participants, including those working at the coalface of the Three Waters sector.

The Government believes the case for change is compelling.

This view has been formed in part by the input of your sector.

We are having a robust public discussion about finer details of the plan we have developed in conjunction with the local government sector, Māori, industry, and other interested parties.

This is as it should be.

I would note however, there has been some misunderstanding about the Government’s plan, in some cases deliberately fanned.

Throughout this discussion, clear, factual, knowledgeable, and astute comment from the leadership of your sector and others deeply involved in providing Three Waters services has been a welcome and valuable contribution.

The success of our work from here will likewise depend in large part on your continuing involvement and engagement as we enter the two and half year transitional period before the new entities officially take on the responsibility for Three Waters Services in July 2024.

Further public participation to test and refine the reform plan will be open to all New Zealanders through the select committee process as the relevant legislation progresses through the parliamentary process.

Your ongoing expert input continues to be both welcome and vital.

Looking ahead a little further, I hope this message has now been heard: those currently working on the ground in water services activities for local authorities will have a job with the new entities on their current terms and conditions, and in the

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same location, if that is what they want.

We will need your knowledge, expertise and efforts over the months and years to come to ensure a smooth and efficient transition and to help develop the skills and abilities of the many additional people we will need as we embark on the massive programme of investment in our Three Waters systems.

A National Transition Unit is being established to implement the Government’s decisions on the Three Allan Prangnell.

Waters reform. However, we know the last 18 months have been a busy and stressful time for the local government and the water services sector.

We want to give you time to process these changes, and to enjoy your summer, before we commence working alongside you to create the new water services entities.

Before Christmas, we will share with the sector information on the sorts of conversations we’ll have in 2022. This will include the topics we’ll be looking to engage with you on, when we plan to do it, and how you can reach us with any questions you might have.

It is worth emphasising again that our plan depends on retaining the Three Waters expertise built up by councils within the new entities.

A key feature of the new arrangements is those working in the sector will have more resources and will be joined by additional colleagues as they get on with the job. Importantly, they will have leadership with a dedicated focus and mandate to improve and strengthen our Three Waters infrastructure.

The evidence is clear that as a nation, our Three Waters system requires a substantial and costly overhaul and upgrade.

By working together to improve our management of the sector, to access more resources and to improve strategic decisionmaking, every community can benefit.

It’s taken much hard work to get to this point and we should take a moment to recognise the progress made. However, we should be under no illusion there is much more do over the next two and half years and beyond.

Significant reform of the sector to enable a massive, well overdue programme of investment in our infrastructure is no trivial exercise.

I’m confident we have a good plan, the resources and the expertise to ensure that together we can drive this project forward to support intergenerational well-being and protection of the environment.

Economic regulation key to success A key feature of the future delivery of Three Waters reform will be the new regulatory regime, including the proposed new economic regulator.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment has called for submissions on what the new regulation and consumer protection regime should look like.

Specifically, questions around: • Whether economic regulation should apply to all Three Waters; • What form of economic regulation should apply, such as information disclosure and price-quality regulation; • Whether additional consumer protection such as minimum service levels are required; • How to give the consumer a strong voice and resolve disputes; • Who the regulators should be and how they ought to be funded.

It also wants feedback on the role of Te mana o te Wai in economic regulation.

Earlier this year Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe spoke at the Competition Law and Policy Institute workshop on the economic regulation of the Three Waters.

“There are a number of options and models for economic regulation so it is important that we get this right. We need to ensure that communities have a voice and that fairness, equity and efficiency along with Te Mana o te Wai and environmental protection, underpin the new service delivery regime.”

Other presenters included associate director, NERA Will Taylor and Chapman Tripp partner, Simon Peart.

“We will be making a submission and ensure that we get feedback from our members to help inform our comments.”

Submissions close on 20 December.

Go to our website to see the workshop slides.

Proposal will unlock barriers to address water infrastructure deficit Water New Zealand says the establishment of four professional entities to manage Three Waters will unlock many of the barriers that have led to the serious infrastructure deficit across much of the country.

Chief executive Gillian Blythe says it has been clear for a long time that there is an urgent and serious need to address issues of ageing and poorly performing infrastructure as well as poor service delivery in some parts of the country.

She says there are some big challenges facing the sector such as the need to upgrade infrastructure and address increasing growth, higher customer expectations and the challenges of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

“We need to find an affordable, efficient and equitable way to fix the backlog of underinvestment in infrastructure, improve service delivery and meet future challenges.

“The new regionally based entities will be able to re-invest, use resources such as staff, and other expertise more efficiently as well as adopt new technologies and better environmental outcomes.

“They will not have the competing demands that councils have for resources.

“Currently 25 percent of our wastewater treatment plants are operating on expired consents while Ministry of Health data shows that one in five people have been supplied with drinking water that is not guaranteed to be safe from bacteria contamination.

“Wherever we live, we all want to be able to turn on the tap and have safe drinking water. We also want our rivers, lakes and beaches to be safe to swim in.

“While these challenges need to be addressed in the most effective and efficient way, there is also a need to ensure that the voices of communities do not get lost.

“It is important to ensure ongoing public and community participation in the next phase of the reform process to help ensure a successful transition.”

She says it is also important that the reforms are not put at risk due to the shortage of skilled workers.

“We are already facing a skills shortage. That’s why Water New Zealand has been working with our partners and members to help upskill the current workforce and attract more young professionals into the sector.”

Xxxxxxxdir

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND COMMENT

Becoming a dedicated water services regulator

By Bill Bayfield, chief executive, Taumata Arowai.

In January 2020 I was asked if I would consider heading up the establishment of a new Crown entity. This organisation would seek to lift the overall performance of the quality of Three Waters services (drinking water first, and eventually wastewater and stormwater).

Having spent most of my career working in regional councils and extensively with the rural sector, I could appreciate the challenges that lay ahead and saw this as an exciting and rewarding opportunity to be part of a step change in lifting the performance of the water services sector.

Taumata Arowai was established on 1 March 2021 following the passing of Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Act (2020). A cornerstone of the Act is the unique requirement to give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai and to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles, as far as they relate to both the organisation’s functions and duties and those who are regulated under it.

The Water Services Bill has made its way through the parliamentary process during 2021 and has now been enacted.

Upon commencement of the Water Services Act (2021) we will become operational as the regulator. We are waiting on confirmation any day but expect that our commencement date will be mid-November 2021.

Te Mana o te Wai is a concept we can all embrace

Te Mana o te Wai refers to the fundamental importance of water and recognises that protecting the health of freshwater protects the health and well-being of the wider community and environment, now and in the future.

Everyone supplying drinking water has a duty of care to make sure that the water they supply is safe to drink. It is no longer acceptable to adopt a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude to something that is fundamental to the health and well-being of people, communities and the environment.

The Government’s Inquiry into the 2016 Havelock North drinking water contamination event turned a spotlight on how badly things can go wrong. The water-borne illness Campylobacteriosis resulted in thousands of people being ill (up to 40 people hospitalised) and contributed to at least four deaths.

Everyone should have access to safe drinking water, every day There are an estimated 35,000 cases of waterborne illness every year due to the consumption of poor-quality drinking water. We know this number is likely to be even higher, as many waterborne illnesses are under reported.

We know from the number of boil water notices that are put in place, that many water supplies are not safe for consumption.

The Ministry of Health’s recent Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality 2019-2020 shows 76 boil water notices on supplies serving

20 www.waternz.org.nz

more than 100 people (26 permanent and 50 temporary) during the reporting period. This report only includes registered supplies serving more than 100 people, so total numbers of supplies where boiling water is necessary to prevent illness are likely to be higher.

The establishment of a dedicated water services regulator is our chance to shift the way we think about the quality of drinking water and how we give effect to Te Mana o te Wai. It is not acceptable to get sick from a resource that is supplied directly into the heart of our homes and is critical to people’s lives, the well-being of their families and the prosperity of their communities.

The journey is underway

Because we are a new Crown entity, and we are creating a new regulatory regime, it is important to remember that we are on a journey.

Upon commencement of the Water Services Act (2021), Taumata Arowai will take over from the current drinking water regulator, the Ministry of Health. The Act will give us the powers to regulate drinking water and we will have oversight of wastewater and stormwater in two years from commencement.

We are clear that from day one everyone that supplies drinking water to more than one household has a duty of care to make sure it is safe. We also recognise the challenges and costs required, especially for small and rural drinking water suppliers.

We are committed to understanding the diverse needs of different water suppliers and making the process of providing safe drinking water as easy and cost-effective as possible.

Registration will be free. There will be four years to register all currently unregistered drinking water suppliers and seven years for them to understand and comply with the new rules and standards.

The provision of drinking water is complex

Currently, there are approximately 2400 drinking water supplies registered with the Ministry of Health. We know there are a lot more supplies than this providing drinking water to people throughout the country. These existing registrations will automatically transfer

to Taumata Arowai once we take over from the Ministry of Health.

Of these registered supplies, there are 67 local councils that supply water to 80-85 percent the population. The remaining 15-20 percent get their drinking water from currently non-registered supplies.

The plan for year one

In year one we are focusing on currently registered suppliers.

Suppliers who are not currently registered will have time to get to grips with the new rules and standards.

Taumata Arowai will take a phased approach to regulating drinking water supplies, and therefore the focus in year one will be on the suppliers currently registered with the Ministry of Health.

By taking this phased approach, Taumata Arowai can focus on the continued registration and regulation of supplies that represent the greatest risk and complexity of water supply arrangements. Due to the population size that local government suppliers serve, there are more rigorous rules, standards, monitoring, and reporting requirements they will have to meet.

Because smaller suppliers serve a smaller population (less than 500 people) and are less complex, there are mechanisms built into the legislation to provide a pragmatic approach to managing their risks. One of these mechanisms is called ‘Acceptable Solutions’. Applying an Acceptable Solution is a way for small suppliers to ensure they are providing safe drinking water in a practical and cost-effective way.

Examples of small suppliers include a community water scheme, a farm providing water to several households, a marae, community hall, rural school, or holiday homes sharing the same water supply.

During the initial years, we will provide information and guidance to smaller suppliers on what Acceptable Solutions could look like for the diverse types of water supply arrangements that exist. We will seek input into the development of these Acceptable Solutions through reference groups and open consultation.

The door will also be open to the development of new Acceptable Solutions over time, so that modern technology and approaches to supplying safe drinking water can be accommodated.

The Act states that non-registered suppliers will have up to four years to register their supply (November 2025), and up to seven years to comply with the new standards and rules (November 2028). This is a major change from the Water Services Bill as first drafted and recognises submissions made by many parties.

The changes made will allow us to approach our task in a collaborative way, finding solutions that will work practically.

Our role as the dedicated water services regulator is to work with the water services sector to lift its performance. We are going to approach this in a pragmatic way based on the scale, complexity, and risk of different water supplies. It is important though, to remember that when we become the regulator we will be expected to hold suppliers accountable when they fail to meet their legal duties to their communities.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND UPFRONT

Regional teams established Taumata Arowai has been in recruitment mode over the past six months and has announced its (relatively) new regulatory team.

Rob Gould

Jody Pickrang

Peter Wood

Helen Graham

Rachel East

Melinda Sando

Leading the team is Rob Gould, regulatory delivery manager.

He has come from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency with many years’ experience as a regulator. He leads the regulatory delivery activities and oversees regional teams based in Dunedin, Christchurch, Palmerston North, and Hamilton. Email: rob.gould@taumataarowai.govt.nz.

There are four regulatory team leaders in Taumata Arowai’s regional offices and a lead advisor regulatory delivery in the Wellington office.

Jody Pickrang, regulatory team leader based in Hamilton. She brings a wide range of regulatory experience and investigative knowledge from previous government regulatory roles. Email: jody.pickrang@taumataarowai.govt.nz.

Peter Wood is the regulatory delivery team leader based in Palmerston North. He is a seasoned drinking water expert with previous experience as a drinking water assessor. He has been involved with the establishment of Taumata Arowai since early 2020. Email peter.wood@taumataarowai.govt.nz.

Helen Graham is the regulatory delivery team leader based in Christchurch. She brings drinking water and public health regulatory experience, joining Taumata Arowai from being a team leader at the Public Health unit in Canterbury. Email: helen.graham@taumataarowai.govt.nz.

Rachel East is the regulatory delivery team leader based in Dunedin. She brings local government knowledge and experience

22 www.waternz.org.nz

including Three Waters work, joining from Dunedin City Council. Email: rachel.east@taumataarowai.govt.nz.

Melinda Sando is the regulatory delivery lead advisor based in Wellington. She has regulatory and public health experience and comes from the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Melinda will be focusing on the largest metropolitan water supplies. Email: melinda.sando@taumataarowai.govt.nz.

Having a national team with strong local presence will enable consistency along with a focus on local issues. Taumata Arowai can draw on a range of skillsets and offer backup coverage for incidents or emergencies.

Since coming together, the team has been busy building relationships, recruiting staff, and getting ready to become operational as the regulator. They say they’re feeling excited and ready for Day 1 (likely to be mid-November) but have a plan far beyond that.​ “Our initial focus will be on transitioning drinking water supplies that are currently registered with the Ministry of Health over to our new system. We’ve been on the phones with suppliers, introducing ourselves and making sure we have the right contact details to start this transition process.

“We’ve got a big job ahead, but we feel welcomed and supported by the water services sector. We’re looking forward to working together to create a step change to the quality of drinking water across the country.”

Are you ready to make an impact?

Join us: GHD.com/change-maker

WATER NEW ZEALAND COMMENT

Māori involvement in Three Waters reform will benefit all

By Paul Majurey When it comes to something as precious as water, there are wide-ranging world views, and that is as it should be. As an iwi representative and environmental lawyer I have seen over the years how diverse interests can debate, negotiate and more often than not reconcile seemingly diametrically opposed perspectives.

Water is, of course, essential to all cultures and crucial for socioeconomic well-being. In the Māori world view, water is fundamental to our identity – it is embedded in our whakapapa connections and in our language (including over a dozen classifications of water), and inherent in the customary rights recognised by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and in common law.

It has been a common theme in my nearly four decades of legal work for iwi/hapū, community groups, environmental organisations, and national and international corporates. Water has also been a familiar topic at the governance boards on which I have served – public, corporate, iwi and co-governance fora.

Water is intrinsic to the identity and culture of the Marutūāhu tribes to whom I belong. Whether it’s the fresh waters of our shared ancestral rivers, or the salt waters these rivers refresh of our shared ancestral seas, including Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf and the Waitematā. As part of our Treaty settlement redress, we will have a place on a range co-governance bodies for our shared moana and awa.

So it is throughout the motu. All tribes have their ancestral waters, many participate in co-governance entities with local government, and there will be more in the years to come. These arrangements are found in many regions and across large and small river catchments. Importantly, in the political context, they were all established with cross-party support – wellknown examples included the Waikato River and Whanganui River.

What these arrangements have in common is that they recognise that we all benefit when Māori have their voice at the decision-making table.

Rather than the sky falling when the Treaty partner participates, these arrangements have materially improved the governance and management of water. They bring a missing dimension – the indigenous world views.

This brings me to the work the Government has under way with councils, communities and iwi throughout Aotearoa on its proposed Three (Toru) Waters reform. The proposal is to transfer the drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure services from the 61 authorities and create four completely new entities to undertake this role.

The economic and political merits or otherwise of the reforms are for others to debate, but the point to stress is that the role of iwi in the governance of these new water authorities is not something to fear. Sadly, some claim it is.

Such proposals are attracting the trope of Māori ‘privilege’ or ‘elites’ getting special treatment. The debate is characterised as a zero-sum game.

One seat for Māori on a board table is one less for the community, and so is claimed to be unfair or to amount to separatism. One recent NBR contributor argued the Government is indulging a “sectional political constituency at the expense of the principles of democracy and the community”.

The underlying premise for such commentary may hark back to a time

24 www.waternz.org.nz

of unchecked colonial override, but it is well settled law among all branches of our government that Māori have customary and Treaty rights to water.

We were guaranteed “te tino rangatiratanga” over our lands, property and taonga. Water in all its forms and places is a taonga, and no serious commentator would suggest otherwise.

There can also be little dispute that the reform of New Zealand’s water governance and management is long overdue. Public health failures, catchment over-allocations and uneven cost structures are only a few of the major issues our nation faces.

Opponents have also tried to claim the reforms will transfer ownership rights from councils to Iwi. This is wrong, and gratuitous. The proposed legislation will set the parameters of the Three Waters regime, not change the status quo. There may be a future government seeking to define the contours of water ownership, but that is for another day.

Successful models exist in the co-governance arrangements discussed above. Iwi and local authorities will partner in appointing selection panels who in turn appoint boards.

They will significantly influence strategy and set performance expectations. Māori customary rights and interests do not exclude the shared interests of all New Zealanders in clean and safe water. This recognition is at the heart of the Three Waters Reform proposals.

A real issue for the Government to address is the sheer volume of reform under way this term (among others, Three Waters, RMA, health) and the demands on the time and human resources of iwi, even as we grapple with the impact of Covid-19. A related issue is the capacity of iwi to meaningfully participate in these new regimes.

Although there are academic arguments on whether councils are Treaty partners, in practice the Crown has devolved and delegated many of its Treaty partnership responsibilities to them. Local government has been moving towards a more sophisticated and mature understanding of partnerships with Māori. Again, this is not a zero-sum game. Involving Māori does not deny non-Māori any rights. The two are complementary and mutually inclusive.

The proposed structure of the Three Waters agencies has been designed to give Māori a partnership role in the governance and setting of strategic expectations and performance. No more, no less. Will the world end? On the evidence of the other co-governance regimes overseeing our waterways and other taonga in Aotearoa, it should actually work rather well – for the benefit of all.

Paul Majurey is chair of Eke Panuku Development Auckland, and Auckland Council CCO. He’s also an iwi leader and environmental lawyer.

The views expressed here are personal and independent of that and his other roles.

This article first appeared in The New Zealand Herald on September 14, 2021. Reproduced by permission of the author.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND PROFILE

In for the long haul It’s been 43 years since Brian Park began working with water, and not only has he stayed in the industry, Brian has spent decades working for the same business, although the company has changed around him over the years. By Mary Searle Bell.

It’s now called Watercare, but in 1978, when Brian signed up as a 28 year old, he joined the team in the Bulk Water Department of the Auckland Regional Authority.

“I hit the ground running – a lot of big infrastructure jobs had been put on hold earlier and were then just starting to get going again. The big watermain from the south into the city was restarted and I was involved project managing a construction team. I was also involved in project management of construction of a new watermain across to the North Shore, along with normal operations and maintenance work.”

An awful lot has changed over the years. Brian says that in his early years, operations and maintenance work was very reactive.

“The occurrence of watermain breaks was a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if ’.

“Within a couple of years of starting, I put on the 24-hour operations on-call roster (and stayed on it for the next 30 years) and consequently learnt a lot about network operations under duress. We were desperately trying to reduce customer outages, but the systems lacked capacity, flexibility, and connectedness.

“That still drives me today – ensuring we build resilience, reliability, and redundancy into the design of our systems.”

Things were done very differently back in the 1980s. One of the highlights of Brian’s early years was the project management of the pipeline construction crews on Hunua 3 and North Harbour watermains.

“I loved the rock sections on Hunua 3 – drilling and blasting.

“I organised an open excavation crossing of the State Highway 1 motorway for Hunua 3 in January 1982 – you’d never get away with that now!”

Brian also saw the acquisition of Auckland Regional Authority’s first PC in the mid-80s, which was used for job costing, meter records, and billing in the water department.

“We started digitising the as-built information – a forerunner to GIS that is now fundamental to asset information systems. I am very proud of the fact I employed the first woman in an engineering role in a water department to undertake this work.

She was a brilliant hire, and became a GIS expert.”

26 www.waternz.org.nz

By this time, Brian was managing the maintenance and operations section, looking after a staff of 78.

“I remember when I bought the first cellphones in 1991, which we shared around the people on the roster. When I first went on-call we had a radio telephone which we’d use to talk to the monitoring room and that was it. We had very little visibility of what was happening on the network. Disruptions often affected customers.

Brian Park.

“These days this is mostly avoided thanks to technology. In fact, it’s almost information overload – we need to be able to work out what is useful.”

From 1996 to 2004, Brian led a team of 29 responsible for operation of the Ardmore and Papakura treatment plants and Hunua headworks, which supplies 60 percent of Auckland’s water.

During those eight years, a number of major upgrade projects were implemented – SCADA control systems, dosing systems, filtration upgrade to NZDWS2005, and the 11kV upgrade.

“The challenge was maintaining target operational capacity while the work was implemented.”

That plant is a pivotal plant in Watercare’s network and Brian says it has been on a path of continual upgrade since then.

“It was all about improving the reliability of the Hunua headworks. It was hugely challenging, but a lot of fun.”

Brian’s next role, from 2004 to 2012, was in risk management, involved in various operational risk mitigation projects across both water and wastewater systems.

“We looked at the system as a whole, identifying risks, and creating plans for assets and renewals. We had ageing assets, and limited ability to inspect and service them because of a lack of headroom.

“We had been unable to inspect the Wairoa and Mangatawhiri tunnels for 30 years, as we were unable to take them out of service while maintaining water supply to the city. The Cossey’s pipeline project was instrumental in remedying this; it increased capacity from Cossey’s Dam and thereby allowing inspection of the tunnels.

At the same time, the Wairoa tunnel portal and the adjacent Otau aqueduct across the Wairoa stream underwent a seismic upgrade.

“Integral with the strategy was the first capacity upgrade of Waikato WTP.” In this risk management role, Brian coordinated emergency response exercises and contingency planning.

“I was involved in Auckland and National Lifelines groups for many years. This involvement gave me the opportunity to visit San Francisco water supply systems and see firsthand the implementation of huge seismic resilience projects.”

In these years, Brian had significant input into an Auckland water supply system optimisation study that advocated a 50-year plan to meet demand growth and build system resilience. Two major projects that came out of this were Hunua 4 and North Harbour 2.

These two projects took much of Brian’s time from 2012 to 2018.

He made a notable impact on the alignment selection studies for 32 kilometres of the Hunua 4 watermain, which resulted in a considerable cost saving.

“One thing I am most proud of is that I identified an opportunity with Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency to get the Hunua 4 pipeline across the Manukau Harbour as part of the Mangere Bridge Crossing project. That saved us many millions of dollars over building our own independent route.”

More recently, Brian contributed to the Waikato 50 project, where he was heavily involved in the design and implementation of the 225MLD Waikato boost pump station, part of the region’s

drought response programme of works.

Currently, Brian is working on securing the alignment for 52 kilometres of the Waikato 2 watermain and the procurement of properties for reservoir storage facilities, and planning for the North Shore 3 watermain, which will cross the Waitemata Harbour parallel to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

“I really enjoy problem solving – how to get everything to work.

Building the interdependency and connectivity, and being able to vary it so we can refigure the network as needed.

“I like to look at how we can tie in new infrastructure – anticipating what is going to be bolted on in the future and planning for that. Future development and expansion need to be planned now, many years ahead. The process is very long in getting to fruition.”

At 71 years old, Brian is also planning his retirement, albeit reluctantly.

“I know it’s coming sooner rather than later, and it will be a real wrench.

“I enjoy working with people who share the same ideals and motivation as me.

“I have much admiration for the next generation of the team coming through. They’re keen to learn and have solid technical capability, and I enjoy working with them and learning from them.

“When I think about retiring and handing it all over, I know it’s going into good hands.”

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND PROFILE

A desire to help Roanna Purcaru has always wanted to help people, and she has chosen a career as a water professional, where she has managed to ensure her work does exactly that. By Mary Searle Bell.

As a high schooler, Roanna thought that working in special education would fulfil her desire to help people and so started studying towards a degree in psychology. However, a placement at a school for children with special needs soon showed her that this wasn’t her calling. Instead, with both parents working as civil engineers, she decided to follow their lead.

“I chose water as my engineering specialisation. It appealed to me because water is vital to life – to healthy people, healthy communities, and a healthy environment. It is important that our water resources are managed well.”

Born in the Philippines, Roanna emigrated to New Zealand as a 17 year old after living in Saudi Arabia for a number of years.

“My parents are travellers, so it’s no surprise that I am too.”

This is pertinent as she is speaking to Water while she waits to head back to New Zealand after three years living in Phoenix, Arizona. In her 10 years of working, she has also spent considerable time working in or for projects based in the Pacific Islands, particularly the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Fiji, and Guam.

“I’ve always taken the opportunity to travel. When I was studying at the University of Auckland, I spent a semester at the University of California, Berkley.

“I am now studying towards my MBA at Purdue University’s Global Campus, which has its headquarters in the USA.” Roanna’s work as an engineer began with a work placement at GHD in the final year of her degree. She then joined the company full time in a graduate role in 2011.

“During my earlier years at GHD, I was seconded to Auckland Council, working on the design guidance documents focusing on erosion and sediment control, water sensitive design, and the stormwater code of practice.

“I was also seconded to the Further North Alliance, working on the Puhoi to Warkworth Road of National Significance project.

“In my first four years of work, I enjoyed a lot of different jobs and experiences.”

Feeling the need for change, Roanna then moved to Wellington to a role with Aecom working on projects with Wellington Water and the Transmission Gully Highway, however, after just nine months, Evan Mason, an ex-colleague and mentor at GHD, and chair of the VSA (Volunteer Service Abroad) Council, called her with an opportunity she couldn’t resist.

“GHD had a partnership with VSA and were looking for someone to go to the Cook Islands to help set up a plan to improve water infrastructure for the ‘outer’ islands. Evan knew that development engineering was right up my street. So, when he asked, I said yes straight away.

“It was the best situation for me – I got to experience humanitarian work and, while it was a volunteer position, GHD

28 www.waternz.org.nz

Roanna Purcaru: water is vital to life – to healthy people, healthy communities, and a healthy environment.

held a job open for me for when I returned to New Zealand.

“This role was a defining experience in my career.”

What particularly appealed to Roanna was not only the chance to directly work with the Office of the Prime Minister in Rarotonga, but also the opportunity to live among the locals, learn their culture, and really get to know them.

“My job was to enable the community to find out what they needed and wanted, and work with them to find a solution that fitted. Being a volunteer was different from being a consultant.

A volunteer’s focus is to build capacity and allow communitydriven solutions.”

She spent around six months working as a volunteer. Thanks to the experience she gained on this assignment, she landed a role as a project manager with GHD, returning for around a week each month, working on the Mei Te Vai Ki Te Vai (MTVKTV) project.

“It was fascinating. There is no centralised wastewater system on Rarotonga at present, so we were doing consultation, permitting, and preliminary design for an entire wastewater treatment system.”

In between various island projects, Roanna also worked on Three Waters projects for Auckland Transport, Watercare, and NZTA. In 2017 she was given her first line management role as

the team leader for GHD’s Auckland stormwater team.

Her next move came when her husband got a job in Phoenix, Arizona. Fortunately, GHD has an office in Phoenix and she was able to transfer, where she spent the past three years.

“I worked on a variety of projects, including pump station and pipeline rehabilitation, to mining stormwater optimisation design, and consenting support. However, she says her favourite one was the technical assistance programme for small public water systems in Arizona.

“This was particularly interesting to me as it involved supporting small system owners with water quality improvement, options assessment, grant funding applications, detailed design, and construction management.

“Some of the most common water quality issues in Arizona involve arsenic and nitrate in bore water, and my team’s job was to help our clients explore the most suitable and cost effective long-term solution to deal with this, as funding was limited and the problem can be expensive to resolve.

While in Phoenix, Roanna also worked as a team leader and discovered a love of people management.

“I enjoy helping develop the careers of young professionals. I remember clearly when I didn’t know what I wanted or where to go. I had supportive managers who helped me, and it’s my turn now to mentor.”

Communication is clearly her thing. She particularly enjoys bringing people together – the customers and the technical experts, asking the right questions, and helping find the best solutions.

“I enjoy the wider view – big picture, management of many moving parts – which is why I like project management and pursued my project management professional certification while in Arizona.”

She also gained valuable knowledge while on the WEF (Water Environment Federation) Water Leadership Institute.

“It opened my mind to issues in the water industry – like ageing infrastructure, ageing workforce, the importance of educating the public on water stewardship, and STEM education.”

Roanna and her husband are in the process of moving back to Christchurch, and after a few months catching up with family, Roanna will join GHD’s water leadership team in January, something she is very excited about.

“Things are very hot in the New Zealand water sector right now. We’re ahead compared to others, but still have work to do as far as being truly proactive, diverse, and culturally sensitive.

“Overall, I anticipate a lot of ongoing learning for our water industry, especially during a transitional time with the Three Waters Reform. “I am looking forward to being there – experiencing it, and seeing what happens next.”

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND FLOODING

The largest flood flow ever measured Measurements show flood flows on the Buller River in July were the largest of any river in almost 100 years. NIWA hydrodynamics scientist Richard Measures says records show even larger flooding of the Buller River in 1926.

“It’s not the largest river in New Zealand but it does experience the biggest flood flows. The flood levels through the Buller gorge are incredible.”

NIWA environmental monitoring technician Mike O’Driscoll used a radar gun from the Westport and Orowaiti bridges to measure the speed of the Buller River at its surface on July 17.

These measurements, coupled with surveys of the riverbed level carried out from a jetboat after the flood, provided the data for flood flow calculations at the bridges. As the bridges were being closed, the measurements showed a flow of 7640 cubic metres per second – the largest direct measurement of river flow ever completed in the country.

The previous record was a flow measurement of 5870 cubic metres per second taken in the Grey River in 1988. As a comparison the mean flow of the Buller River is 454 cubic metres per second.

30 www.waternz.org.nz

Meanwhile, a NIWA monitoring station on the Buller River at Te Kuha, about 10 kilometres upstream, was continuously recording water levels throughout the flood. The monitoring station is part of NIWA’s national network of benchmark hydrometric monitoring stations as well as being a key flood forecasting site for the West Coast Regional Council.

Because of its importance the site has three independent monitoring systems in place – one sensor system to provide rapid updates during floods, plus primary and back-up sensors to record data for future analysis.

However, the magnitude of the flood meant debris knocked two sensors out of action leaving only the back-up providing real time information to inform emergency management decisions.

The water level at Te Kuha peaked at 12.8 metres at 1.35pm on Saturday, July 17, several hours ahead of the peak flooding in

Westport. In the 1970 flood the flood peak was 11.9 metres. This was the biggest flood recorded since the Te Kuha monitoring site was established in 1963.

“We can confidently say that the recent flood flows in the Buller River are the highest of any river since 1926, when historic records and photographs of flooding show an even bigger flood on the Buller,” Richard says.

Work is now ongoing to gather more data to refine the flood analysis and NIWA’s flood flow forecasting tool. Repairs to the monitoring systems have already been completed.

Measuring river flow during large floods is essential. The data is used to model and map flood risk, design flood defences, provide flood forecasts and understand the effects of climate change. Data collected during this event are being used as part of a project that began in April to develop improved flood forecasts for Westport.

River flows during this flood, as well as observations of the flood extent, depth and impacts to housing measured afterwards will also provide invaluable information for NIWA’s Endeavour programme Mā te Haumaru ō te Wai. The programme aims to improve resilience to flooding by developing a consistent national understanding of flood hazard and risk throughout the country and by working with communities, iwi and other stakeholders to develop strategies to mitigate that risk – especially in locations that may be becoming more vulnerable to flooding due to climate change.

Observations from this flood will help ground truth the inundation and impact models used in the programme ensuring we have a more accurate understanding of the risks we face.

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NIWA hydrodynamics scientist Richard Measures.

WATER NEW ZEALAND STORMWATER

Redesigning a stormwater drainage reserve In 2015, Tauranga City Council engaged Boffa Miskell to prepare an updated comprehensive landscape concept plan for the Papamoa Stormwater Reserve.

This was a refinement of the previously consented concept plan Boffa Miskell prepared in 2004. The 78-hectare reserve is associated with the former alignment of the Wairakei Stream and is contained within a very narrow 15 kilometre drainage area with varying high to low levels of naturalness and urbanisation.

The second stage of the project was to prepare the construction drawing package for implementation that commenced in 2018.

Te Ara O Wairakei Stormwater Reserve, like many other water courses in the country, has a history of channelisation and misunderstanding of function – areas important to rehabilitate and celebrate by improving natural habitats for native species, and provide improved opportunities for park users. Despite its modified state, the reserve also contains several important archaeological features, including a unique swamp pa.

Five key components were incorporated within the design concept: stormwater function; ecological enhancement; recognition of cultural connections and archaeological features; enhancement of recreational opportunities; and improvement of local amenity values.

A key aspect was the long-term and separate engagement with the

32 www.waternz.org.nz

five local communities associated with five different sections of the reserve.

This was to ensure that the design responded to the different site conditions for each section, and the community’s perceptions of the reserve’s positive qualities; and addressing specific concerns regarding reserve management.

The project involved the preparation of a guiding concept plan and vision statement, engagement media and expertise, detailed design for each of the five major reserve sections, resource consent applications and archaeological authorities for the proposed works required to implement the design.

The project has since been implemented successfully with Boffa Miskell playing a key role in supervising the implementation between 2018 and 2021.

During this time, there have been 8.5 hectares of new wetland and lowland shrubland planting created, using over 300,000 plants (6000 planted by the community), 10 kilometres of new shared pathways installed, with wayfinding and interpretation signs along the network.

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Save the date – registrations open 20 January Exhibition sites now on sale Call for abstracts now open Come and join us to discuss leading stormwater issues and solutions for positive change.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND LEGAL

Managing Our Wetlands discussion document It seems one area this lockdown has not affected is the Ministry for the Environment’s ability to continue the march of their regulatory reform roll out.

By Helen Atkins, director and Tom Gray, solicitor, Atkins Holm Majurey.

A discussion document on “Managing our Wetlands” (Discussion Document) was released in September with proposed amendments to natural wetland provisions in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F).

This revision comes after strong stakeholder feedback on the implementation of wetland regulations across the country and seeks engagement on three key changes: • To amend the definition of ‘natural wetland’ to make it clearer and ensure that only the areas intended are captured by the regulations; • To better enable restoration activities to be undertaken and enable maintenance and biosecurity activities to be undertaken in, and around natural wetlands; and • To provide consenting pathways for the activities of quarrying, managed fill, land fill, clean fill, mining (minerals) and urban development operations.

Submissions on the Discussion Document were open from 1 September to 27 October 2021.

Definition of wetland

Probably the most significant change is what exactly the regulations will apply to. The RMA defines a wetland as “permanently or intermittently wet areas, shallow water, and land water margins that support a natural ecosystem of plants and animals that are adapted to wet conditions”.

The NPS-FM then distinguished a ‘natural wetland’ as a wetland that was not: a. Constructed by artificial means (unless it was constructed to offset impacts on, or restore, an existing or former natural wetland); or b. a geothermal wetland; or c. any area of improved pasture that, at the commencement date, is dominated by (that is more than 50 percent of) exotic pasture species and is subject to temporary rain-derived water pooling.

The intention of this definition was to clarify what should and should not be captured by the regulations. The Discussion Document provided

34 www.waternz.org.nz

that some wetlands (e.g., ponds and stormwater treatment wetlands) have been constructed for purposes other than conservation, and it would be unreasonable to make it more difficult for them to be used for their intended purpose, so they are excluded under part A. of the definition.

Areas also exist that may once have been wetlands or streams but are now heavily modified land (e.g., pasture that is grazed that gets wet after heavy rainfall). These wetlands are intended to be excluded by part C. of the definition.

The Discussion Document proposes changing C. of the definition to state that a natural wetland is a wetland that is not “any area of pasture that has more than 50 percent ground cover comprising exotic pasture species or exotic species associated with pasture.” This attempts to address the confusion with the NPS-FM definition over whether wetlands that have been converted into pasture and are highly modified are still ‘natural wetlands’, considering the biodiversity values that the NPS-FM seeks to protect are no longer present.

The Discussion Document seeks consultation on whether submitters agree with the proposed change and if there are any other circumstances which should be excluded from the definition of ‘natural wetland’.

Restoration, maintenance and biosecurity activities The NES-F regulates what effects are permissible and which restoration activities require a resource consent. The aim being that any undesired effects are to be temporary, but the net result of the activities is positive in the longer term. This gave councils the ability to restrict or disallow activities that may result in negative overall net effects on ‘natural wetlands’, while allowing compliant activities to continue.

One of the loudest cries for change then came in feedback from councils, DOC and restoration groups that the requirement to notify and/or gain consent from the council to undertake restoration activities is often unduly onerous and has resulted in restoration work not being carried out.

The Government was also made aware that the NPS-FM does not currently include maintenance and biosecurity with the definition of restoration, and as such there are no regulatory provisions for maintenance and biosecurity activities in and around ‘natural wetlands’.

Changes are now proposed in the Discussion Document to better give effect to the original intent of the NPS-FM and NES-F, including to: • Include ‘maintenance’ within the regulations relating to ‘restoration’; • Amend the regulations relating to restoration and maintenance activities, so removal of exotic species is permitted, regardless of the size of the area treated, provided the general conditions are met to ensure that weed control does not result in adverse effects; • Allow activities that are necessary to implement a regional or

national pest management plan or are undertaken by a biosecurity agency for biosecurity purposes, but with similar restrictions as those that apply to restoration activities; • Make the restoration and maintenance of a ‘natural wetland’ a permitted activity if it is undertaken in accordance with a councilapproved wetland management strategy; and • Make the use of weed clearance using hand-held tools a permitted activity.

The Discussion Document seeks consultation on whether maintenance, pest-management and biosecurity activities should be included in the regulations alongside restoration; whether any restoration and maintenance of a ‘natural wetland’ be made a permitted activity, if it is undertaken in accordance with a council-approved wetland management strategy; and whether any removal of exotic species and any weed clearance by hand-tools should be a permitted activity.

Consenting pathways in and around wetlands

Except in limited circumstances, the National Environment Standard on Freshwater Management made earthworks within or near a natural wetland a prohibited activity if those works are likely to drain the wetland.

An application to carry out earthworks (or water takes or discharges) in a natural wetland cannot be consented because the prohibited activity regulation in the NES-F prevents it.

However, the NES-F does provide for a consent application pathway for several other activities. This includes a ‘gateway test’ for specified infrastructure that councils must use when assessing any

consent application, including that: a. The activity must be of significant national or regional benefit; b. There must be a ‘functional need’ for that activity in that location; and c. Adverse effects must be managed through the ‘effects management hierarchy’, which requires initial consideration of how to avoid adverse effects where practicable, then how to minimise, remedy, offset, and compensate, in that order.

The Discussion Document proposes that additional activities be subject to the same ‘gateway test’ as is already provided for ‘specified infrastructure’ in the NES-F and seeks submissions on whether certain activities should be included in this, noting that the Government’s intention remains that no net loss of natural wetland extent or values will occur as a result of providing additional consenting pathways.

In particular, the Discussion Document proposes that consenting pathways be provided for: a. A discretionary activity status to be created for the expansion of current quarrying activities, and the development of new quarries within, or within 100 metres of, a ‘natural wetland’; b. A discretionary activity status to be created for the activities and operation of landfills, cleanfills and managed fills within, or within 100 metres of, a ‘natural wetland’; c. A discretionary activity status to be created for mineral mining within, or within 100 metres, of a ‘natural wetland’; and d. A discretionary activity status to be created for plan-enabled development within, or within 100 metres of, a ‘natural wetland’.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND HEALTHY WATER

New weapon in fight

against invasive aquatic weeds A combination of artificial intelligence and scientific ingenuity looks set to be the next step forward in protecting lakes and rivers from invasive aquatic weeds.

Management and detection of invasive submerged weeds costs millions of dollars annually, but NIWA researchers have developed a way to detect and identify submerged weeds. This technology will enable agencies to survey far larger areas more efficiently than is currently possible, and potentially lead to much faster responses to new incursions.

Invasive submerged weeds can degrade water quality, exacerbate silt and flooding, reduce the number of native animals and plants and play havoc with irrigation water delivery and hydroelectric power schemes NIWA has developed a portable invasive species detector module that can be strapped to survey boats. The prototype is housed in a small waterproof case with an underwater video camera attached. Inside is a computer containing an artificial intelligence-based detector that has been trained to identify targeted invasive weed species and log their locations in realtime.

Principal technician Jeremy Bulleid has implemented a deep learning neural network – an artificial intelligence function – to train a computer model to recognise two of the worst invasive weeds, lagarosiphon and hornwort, and record their GPS locations. This information can then be exported to a mapping programme to enable control or eradication strategies to be implemented.

“The deep learning process enables us to replace the human eyes and brain with a video camera and a computer by running a detection application that has been taught what to look for,” Jeremy says.

Training a detector requires significant computing power and, depending on the complexity of the search environment

36 www.waternz.org.nz

and ‘target species’, may take days or even weeks. However, once training is completed, the trained detector is efficient and can be embedded into the computer located inside the detector module for real-time detection.

NIWA has successfully processed video imagery captured from an autonomous boat in a flume facility in Hamilton planted out with three different submerged plant species.

The research is still in its early days and requires further fieldwork, data collection and software development to evaluate its true potential.

However, NIWA freshwater ecologist Dr Daniel Clements says early detection and prevention is critical for achieving effective freshwater biosecurity outcomes.

“If you can detect high-risk invasive species early, before they are widespread, and implement effective management strategies, you minimise the long-term economic, environmental, social, recreational, and cultural impacts caused by these species.

“The development of these detector modules will enable a rapid and cost-effective detection and mapping that can be used over large areas.”

Currently, most invasive species surveillance work is carried out by specialist divers. Daniel says the new technology has the potential to shift diver expertise from detection effort to implementing control strategies.

“Real gains could be made by operating the modules from fully autonomous surface vessels that can be programmed and deployed without constant supervision.

“Eradicating a freshwater invasive weed by detecting it early is much more feasible and cost-effective than dealing with a widespread incursion in the long term.”

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WATER NEW ZEALAND EDUCATION

Taking science to the sea Christchurch-based ESR senior scientist Olga Pantos and research assistant Hayden Masterton set sail out of Tāmaki Makaurau in June 2021 and headed north on a voyage of scientific discovery, looking at the prevalence of microplastics in coastal surface waters between Auckland and Opua, Northland.

Olga says the voyage was about raising ocean literacy through science. All up, she collected 108 samples that are now being analysed for microplastic concentration at ESR’s Christchurch Science Centre.

As Olga says, microplastics are a big problem that need to be researched: “the same properties that have made plastic such a popular material, including its cheap price, light weight, high resilience and versatility, for instance, also make it a huge problem in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.”

The expedition, which focused on microplastics and marine biosecurity risks, included scientists from several other New Zealand science institutes as well as artists and educators. For Olga, the highlight of the voyage was calling into communities along the way and sharing her research about how harmful microplastics are to our marine environment.

“The shore-based outreach went really well. About 40 people attended the Whāngarei hui, and it was a good chance to meet with new and old colleagues from other agencies, especially after a year of Zoom calls. Staff from other agencies came along, joining people from the local council and wider community.

“We put the call out to local schools and many kids turned up, and we had hands on presentations about microplastics – about what they are, where they come from, and why we are concerned about this issue. This was done onboard the S/V

38 www.waternz.org.nz

“The kids got to get

a feel for what it was like working on the water and what our research entails.”

Manawanui whilst it was moored at the marina.

“The kids got to get a feel for what it was like working on the water and what our research entails. They really got the issue of microplastics, and it was a highlight seeing their interest in this research and inspiring them about the magic and value of science.”

Olga’s flair for articulating even the biggest environmental issues with children is not surprising given the Nanogirl podcast series in which Olga discusses microplastics won Best

Children’s Programme at the 2021 New Zealand Radio Awards.

The excitement of seeing bottlenose dolphins during the sailing, and eagle rays, octopus, and small aquatic creatures during the last day of sampling was put into perspective on seeing polystyrene floating on the surface of the water in a sea cave at the Poor Knights Island – one of the country’s most iconic marine reserves – a real world validation of how the source of pollution is not the site of impacts, and why Olga’s microplastics research is so timely and important.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND TE AO MĀORI

Protecting our taonga together NIWA’s Alex Fear looks at the Cultural Keystones Species research programme, a research partnership that grew out of the vision of a Ngāti Hau kaumatua.

Dr Erica Williams was hearing time and again from hapū partners about the impacts they were observing when they went to their awa to get food for the table.

“For some time they were reporting that the abundance and size of freshwater taonga species were declining,” says Erica, pou whakarae – te hiringa taiao (chief scientist) of Te Kūwaha, NIWA’s Māori environmental research team.

Taonga species such as tuna (freshwater eel), kōura (freshwater crayfish) and kākahi (freshwater mussels) are central to the identity and well-being of many Māori communities.

But these species, which for generations have sustained Māori and helped transfer knowledge of customary practices from one generation to the next, were clearly in trouble.

Erica says she was also getting a strong message that hapū wanted significant improvements in the management and restoration of freshwater and estuarine environments to help support the taonga species that live within them.

“My mentor, the late Matua Allan Halliday, wanted to know more about his rohe than any other agency so that their hapū were always in the front-foot position.

“He wanted his hapū to develop the skillsets needed to influence change and to be acknowledged and respected as the experts of

40 www.waternz.org.nz

their rohe. It is his vision that sits at the heart of the Cultural Keystone Species (CKS) programme.”

The MBIE Endeavour-funded CKS programme included interlinked studies centred around understanding what causes stress to freshwater taonga species throughout their life. One focus was on juvenile life stages to maximise species survival through this vulnerable period.

“We have developed ways to communicate state and trends of these taonga populations, as well as frameworks to support hapū decision making in their management.

“It is all designed to meet the needs of our partnerships and to deliver new tools and knowledge that support the protection and restoration of freshwater taonga species.”

Members of Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) hapū collective Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori (NKoNWM) have long been concerned about the declining tuna populations in their respective rohe.

Over the past decade, NKoNWM have worked with Northpower, NIWA, Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, and other agencies to move juvenile eels over the Wairua Falls power station as they swim upstream as part of their life cycle.

To test the success of the trap and transfer programme, each

March NKoNWM and NIWA look at how the elvers that are being moved are surviving. The annual two-week survey involves catching juvenile eels in streams connected to the Wairua River to assess their numbers and distribution. The eels are caught using electric fishing techniques, identified, measured, and then promptly returned to the stream.

The survey is one of many projects within the CKS programme where mana whenua undertake the fundamental research required to inform their unique responsibilities as kaitiaki.

“This is the first time research of this type has been undertaken with our own hapū in our own rohe,” says Delaraine Armstrong, chairperson for NKoNWM. “This mahi keeps alive the tradition of kaitiaki looking after tuna and gives our seven hapū the opportunity to come together for the survey.

“Our tamariki and mokopuna join us as well and have the chance to learn from the research and mātauranga.”

Prior to the Wairua River elver surveys, very little research had been undertaken nationally to help explain what makes stream habitats suitable for elvers to thrive.

This multi-year survey, alongside other projects within the CKS programme, has significantly improved understanding of

the factors that impact the survival of juvenile eels and what habitats are good for tuna.

The benefits for the hapū involved also extend beyond the immediate research results.

“With the support of NIWA we have recently completed the certification of nine electric fishers,” explains Delaraine.

“That has allowed us to develop our own independent waterways surveying capability which has recently led to the signing of a contract with the Living Water partnership. With the development of this expertise, we have provided career pathways for rangatahi to stay in the rohe.

“Our partnership with NIWA has enabled us to strengthen the hapū position as kaitiaki – working together to bring our weight to the mahi needed to clean up our waterways.”

Hapū-driven research, where it is co-designed and undertaken in a context relevant to the partner’s needs, sits at the heart of the CKS programme. The programme focused on building capability and capacity by helping the hapū partnerships further develop the skills they need to navigate the science and policy systems.

“It is about valuing mātauranga Māori alongside other science knowledge systems,” says Erica.

“It is also about taking every opportunity to build NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

41

PHOTO COURTESY OF: NIWA/REBEKAH PARSONS-KING

Searching for tuna using an electric fishing wand. Tuna are temporarily stunned and returned unharmed after assessment.

WATER NEW ZEALAND TE RAIN AOGARDENS MĀORI

Te Kuwaha elvers survey, Karukaru River, Wairua. Hori Kingi, Daniel Kaipo, and Phil Jellyman (NIWA), Livi Cooper and Edward King.

shared experiences, where hapū become comfortable working with scientists, and both partners build mutual understandings and capacity.

“More effort is needed to do this type of place-based, mātaurangadriven mahi. The benefits are almost unquantifiable, and the outcomes are valued by all parties so much more.”

In collaboration with the University of Waikato, the CKS team has also supported five graduate students and three summer research scholarship interns through a variety of practical experiences. These experiences include developing strong professional networks and understanding of the importance of partnerships between hapū/iwi, agencies, and research providers.

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Erica says NIWA is also learning from the students.

“They bring fresh, new approaches to how research is conducted, the communication of research on social media platforms, along with their pre-existing talents in planning, photography and design.”

What’s the next challenge?

“There are very few datasets that are addressing issues impacting taonga species from a Māori perspective – focusing on species of importance to them, at locations and scales of importance to them,” says Erica.

“We have filled some of the holes, but have also exposed more gaps in the datasets that hapū need.”

She says NIWA is also continuing to evolve its approach to the co-design and co-delivery of Māori-driven research.

“We hope that funding agencies are ready for the next step in this journey as we seek to influence larger opportunities that are completely focused on Māori research needs and are led and delivered by hapū and iwi.”

Erica says the CKS programme would not have happened without kaumatua such as the late Matua George Tuhiwai, May Tito, and Allan Halliday.

“This programme and its outcomes are on the back of their efforts, leadership and vision. All of us wish that we had listened more.

“We all have much more to do to realise their vision.”

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No other technologies in the world are able to actively remove ammonia, nitrates, and bacteria at such high through-put, while capturing nutrients within the media to be reapplied to farms and providing performance monitoring.

In answer to this dilemma, Hugo Plastics and Waiora Research are about to launch a new clean water technology – the “eClean” unit, a microbiological filtration system. It effectively removes Nitrates, Phosphates, E.Coli, and other contaminants from water, based on a microbiome technology developed by Ngarie Scartozzi director Waiora Research Ltd. Farmers under pressure Farming can cause significant nitrogenleaching to waterways from fertilisers and animal effluent. Dairy farmers in particular are under pressure to reduce nitrogen leaching to waterways.

While farmers care about sustainability for the next generation, the tough new regulations will have immediate impact on their livelihood. Without a clean-up solution, they are faced with losing production by having to reduce fertiliser and stock levels.

Unique technology The new unit is expected to remove 85% of Nitrates from farm runoff at ~144,000 litres/day (100 litres/min), based on laboratory trials.

It’s compact and cost-effective compared with alternatives, at just 4.5m length × 1.5m width × 1.6m height. It can function on solar power for off-grid applications, and can run for four months continuously before servicing is required.

Ngarie Scartozzi (WRL) and Brian Curran (HP) with the new BR.5 laboratory unit

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Ngarie Scartozzi (WRL ) water testing – Avon River Christchurch

Pollution liability turned into production asset Apart from producing clean water output, the unit actually recycles contaminants into an environmentally-friendly “biosludge” that can be dried and reused on farms as a highly concentrated fertiliser to boost production.

The bioreactor chamber houses a pump, bubblers, and aerators to maintain water flow across the microbial surface for continuous contaminant removal.

Water is cycled through multiple stages to complete the cleaning process. A monitoring solution is provided to verify contaminant removal performance.

Real-time monitoring for legal compliance The eClean unit can incorporate a monitoring system to accurately and continuously report on contaminant levels, compliance targets, and operational status. This may be accessible via a mobile phone app in the future.

Exciting potential for horticulture, aquaculture, industrial, and mining sectors The eClean unit has unlimited applications for drains, rivers, streams, creeks, aquifers, bores/wells, dams, and any aqueous environment. The microbiome ‘recipe’ can be adapted and optimised for local conditions. Once deployed around the country, the units can provide data-driven insights to industry and government bodies on water quality and management.

Innovative tank expertise from Hugo Plastics Hugo Plastics, a division of TPE (Thermoplastic Engineering Ltd), manufactures specialised waste management systems with innovative plastics design and fabrication techniques. They serve the agricultural, civil engineering, environmental, marine, and architectural sectors.

Award-winning bio-technology from Waiora Research Ngarie Scartozzi has been developing the bioreactor technology for 15 years, with a precise blend of microbes and fostering multiple biological processes at the right pH, temperature, and water flow rate.

Her ground-breaking work has been recognised as the overall winner of the University of Canterbury Centre for Entrepreneurship (UCE) Summer Startup award.

Where it’s at currently Extensive lab testing has been done, and a field trial is underway at Wigram, Canterbury. It will provide real-time data on bioreactor performance and a six month validation of the product, allowing finetuning of the full-scale design.

Commercial production is expected from February 2022, with units deployed in New Zealand initially, with expansion overseas following.

The new BR100 installed at the Wigram Wet Lands that feeds into the Heathcote River, graphics depicting Aoraki Mt Cook

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WATER NEW ZEALAND COVID RESPONSE

A look inside

New Zealand’s most locked-down water utility 46 www.waternz.org.nz

Forgive Watercare staff if they get the day wrong during a Microsoft Teams call.

Still in the grip of a Covid-19 lockdown, the days tend to merge. Can ‘calendar confusion’ be declared an official syndrome, someone ponders?

By Maxine Clayton, Watercare stakeholder media liaison officer.

Fortunately, aside from the dreariness of life without freedom, there’s much to celebrate. Faced with four lockdowns since March 2020, Watercare staff have found ways to ‘keep the pipes flowing’ with negligible impact on customers.

If treating water requires coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and finally disinfection; then keeping New Zealand’s largest water utility going in a Covid-19 lockdown requires planning, agility, digital support, patience, and a double dose of manaakitanga: supporting and caring for each other.

Watercare uses the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS), which provides a framework for emergency responses. Andrew Mercer is the Covid-19 CIMS incident controller, in addition to his usual role of head of asset efficiency.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

47

WATER NEW ZEALAND COVID RESPONSE

In March 2020, when the pandemic first arrived here, Watercare stood up an incident response team, which has remained active through the various alert level changes during the past 18 months.

With the arrival of the highly contagious Delta variant in the community, the Watercare team was able to check and deploy the established controls for an alert level four working environment.

Operating procedures and plans are updated and communicated quickly: “The initial focus is keeping the business running. We provide support to managers to enable staff to adopt safe ways of working – whether that means onsite at our operational plants or at home,” says Andrew.

“We then shift to a focus on sustaining that operating model.

We give emphasis to care for staff safety and well-being (physical and mental) at heightened alert levels; connectivity and regular communication is key. Our chief executive, Jon Lamonte, gives live updates via Microsoft Teams to encourage and motivate everyone to stay healthy during lockdown.

“With the team deployed and functioning effectively, we then shift our focus to the sustainability of that operating model. And this involves planning for an uncertain duration of lockdown, and endemic Covid-19. How do we continue to operate given Covid-19 is in our community? That is where we’re at right now and it’s a real challenge, particularly for our operations staff. It’s where things like high staff vaccination rates become critical.”

Vaccinating the team

Following Ministry of Health guidelines, in mid-October, Watercare’s Covid-19 team was evaluating feedback from staff, contractors, and trade unions about a new mandatory vaccination policy for Watercare employees, contractors and visitors to all sites.

It has also created a live survey for staff to submit information about

48 www.waternz.org.nz

Watercare field crews operating in Downtown and following Covid safety protocols.

vaccination rates. In return, Watercare makes a charity donation for every jab. As of November 4, of the 87 per cent of Watercare staff who responded to our survey, 89 percent have received at least one vaccine. Around $5,000 has been donated to Auckland City Mission so far.

Managers are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their teams as well as the requirements to get tested and self-isolate if necessary.

Provision is made to take time off to get vaccinated and there’s also a Covid-19 email address and an information portal on the intranet, so everyone has easy access to current information.

Ordinarily, Andrew is the head of asset efficiency. His previous military background assists with his natural strategic planning abilities. But even he admits that combining his usual day job, with the Covid-19 response work plus supervising kids’ school homework isn’t easy.

“A colleague who coordinates the Auckland rescue puppy service brought over two pups to foster just prior to lockdown. They have been great fun, but certainly add to the busyness of life working from home during this time!”

It’s a situation that many other Watercare staff can sympathise with, given that in level four, 90 percent of the company was now working from home, with skeleton crews working onsite at plants and the laboratory.

In the field

All Maintenance Service Network (MSN) and Delivery field crews are now back at work.

In alert level four, MSN answered priority one calls only. Of the 75

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WATER NEW ZEALAND COVID RESPONSE

field staff, just eight pairs were working at a time for both water and wastewater teams. At the end of the five-week level four lockdown, there were 173 outstanding jobs (mostly leaks).

Head of services, Richie Rameka says once in level three, they caught up fast: “In nine days, the backlog was down to just 35. And part of the reason was because we were able to send out scouts who were able to inspect leaks (often from their vehicles), take photos on their work iPad, add notes and even book arborists. This meant our field crews had detailed information and plans in place by the time they hit the streets again.”

The Delta variant is of course highly contagious. Some field crews were initially apprehensive about working in high-risk areas. Many staff also lived close to early outbreaks zones.

“At one stage we had 15 or so staff who were self-isolating because of a close contact of staff whose children attended a particular school that was a location of interest. If we hadn’t been in level four, with only a skeleton staff operating anyway, we would have had to initiate our B reserve immediately,” says Richie.

50 www.waternz.org.nz

In the lab

Lab sampling technicians are also working in Covid-19 areas of interest. As the pandemic has progressed, demand from ESR for wastewater samples has increased from one to four times per week, in addition to sampling from regular clients. Head of laboratory services, Chris Kinley, says the team has a great spirit and attitude.

“More than 100 staff changed to new rosters overnight without a single complaint. And we’re all keeping each other motivated with exercising to stay healthy. In fact, we took out the customer business unit team September step challenge, by completing 8600 steps per person per day!”

Maintenance and operations

Mark Bourne was just 17 days into the job as new chief of operations, when the country went into level four lockdown: “I have a close relationship with my management team, but this latest Covid-19 outbreak has interrupted my schedule of visiting all the sites in person!”

Executive programme director – Central Interceptor at Watercare Services, Shayne Cunis wears a mask while addressing staff.

The plants continue to run but a lot of maintenance and upgrade projects immediately went on hold. These included work on primary sedimentation tanks at Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant, as well as significant expansion work at Rosedale Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“It was a relief when we got into level three and could resume work on these projects again.”

Operations staff numbers have been boosted by volunteers.

Infrastructure design delivery project manager Jhonny Gaglione is one of at least six staff who’ve put up their hands to be trained to work at western water treatment plants. Jhonny has a chemical engineering background, but the others also came from the Lab, planning team or were environmental scientists.

The work was particularly challenging during the March NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND COVID RESPONSE

2020 lockdown when Auckland was experiencing a major drought.

“Water treatment plants don’t like being continually run at low levels to preserve the dams, so there were lots of challenges,” says Jhonny. “But I love it. My favourite location is Huia Water Treatment Plant, it’s a serene setting in amongst the bush but best of all, I get to work with my hands.

“We do everything from taking water samples, to clearing lime lines, to cleaning filters. It’s a real break away from my computer.

And best of all, I can tell myself and my family that I’m helping to provide clean drinking water to the people of Auckland during a global pandemic!”

Some operations staff, laboratory samplers and air quality technicians must have weekly Covid-19 tests as they cross the Auckland border to work at the Waikato Water Treatment Plant in Tuakau or to visit sites in the Waikato District, where Watercare provides services.

“Watercare Lab staff wear masks inside to help keep each other safe.”

52 www.waternz.org.nz

A recent development has been the arrival of saliva tests, as opposed to nasal swabs. One staff member described them as “drool kits – not attractive but less invasive!”

Construction on all new projects stopped during level four, except for the Central Interceptor’s Māngere and Mt Roskill’s sites, after MBIE allowed tunnel boring machines to continue to operate to prevent them from getting stuck underground.

Work on the new Papakura Water Treatment Plant is now slightly behind schedule and is now due to be completed in late March/April next year. Other projects have been similarly affected.

Connecting people

During the first national lockdown in 2020, the digital team undertook the huge task of sourcing and supplying 630 laptops and monitors to staff within six weeks. Amazingly, most people received their equipment within four days! There were online tutorials on how to use Microsoft Teams for calls, meetings, and messaging. Now Teams is as familiar as Outlook.

Most staff have retained their laptops and just a handful were re-issued this lockdown. But the biggest difference has been that the Customer Solutions teams are set up to answer calls from home because now they’re all connected to Virtual Private Network (VPN) software, so that all account information is accessible.

Davy Suratsingh is the head of retail operations: “This time we’ve had no issues. Our VPN software works perfectly. We have 100 people across Customer Solutions, many of whom come from South Auckland, where many positive cases have originated.

“After the last outbreak, I wanted to keep my staff safe by limiting their possible exposure to Covid-19 on public transport by enabling them to work from home, so we decided that from then on, only 25 percent of our team would be in the Newmarket office at once, with everyone else working from home.”

In this lockdown, no one is working in the office.

“We’ve recently achieved the highest customer satisfaction scores we’ve ever had, which is quite remarkable, given the circumstances.”

Meter readings were suspended during level four alert levels but resumed in level three. Customers received letters explaining that bills are based on estimates of usage, which may be slightly higher than normal, given that most people are housebound.

As Water goes to print, the stakeholder team has just finished a virtual community drop-in session to inform residents in southwest Auckland about a new wastewater scheme. Seventy people tuned in, many of whom were older residents. It wasn’t the usual ‘chat to experts over a cup of tea’ experience that Watercare usually provides but the Microsoft Teams sessions worked and there was good feedback.

Meanwhile Watercare staff and lawyers and other specialists are presenting online evidence to a Board of Inquiry considering an application for an increased take from the Waikato River.

What an adaptive and resilient lot we Kiwis have become.

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A FIFTY-YEAR SU For the last 50 years a significant part of March Construction’s business has been delivering 3 waters infrastructure through capital projects for local authorities and private clients throughout New Zealand.

March is proud to be contributing to improving New Zealand’s environmental and water infrastructure sustainability and resilience. Our mission is to build high quality water assets for communities all over the country which provide value and utility for the next 100 years.

Multidisciplined Approach Stephane Carayol, Managing Director says that many 3 waters projects present complex geotechnical challenges. “As a subsidiary of Soletanche Bachy, the world leader in foundations and soil technologies we stand apart with our ability to provide technical expertise, capability and resources in water, geotechnical and civil construction working as a one stop shop for clients”.

Adding to our multidisciplined approach is the trenchless technology of microtunnelling delivered in New Zealand with our sister company Rob Carr Pty Ltd. We have access to over 30 MTBM units from 250mm to 3m. We believe our wide-ranging offering and in particular of small to medium size microtunnelling solutions as introducing some new opportunities for clients to consider this technique where previously it was constrained by the limited size range available from other contractors.

Microtunnelling projects tend to be deep below ground and key components are shaft construction, generally using sheet piles, bored piles, caissons or shotcreting together with deep excavation and civil construction.

Uniquely March can deliver these projects as a self-performing contractor without the need for major subcontractors.

Innovation is in our DNA Since its inception March has been an innovator both in terms of developing shoring and dewatering techniques and also of construction methods and sequencing to bring added value to our clients. We have developed a modular, prestressed sheet pile shoring system which allows us to work in narrow corridors on high traffic volume and minimise road restoration.

Recently on City Rail Link Contract C6 together with our sister company Bessac we provided an alternative value engineering proposal to remove 1 shaft from the pipeline alignment by completing NZ tightest ever curve radius at 150m employing patented jacking technology not seen before in New Zealand. This saved both money and time on the project.

During the earthquake recovery work in Christchurch on the Woodham Road repair project we had to replace an old damaged 1.5m square box culvert feeding Pump Station

Top: Start of tunnelling at CRL C6 in Auckland Left: Laying stormwater pipes in Burwood in 1971

No. 1, which receives 40% of Christchurch WW flows. In a 130m long, 7m wide and 5m deep fully sheet piled trench we constructed a 1200mm temporary bypass line with live cut-ins at 1 cumec flow rates, demolished and removed the old culvert and replace it with a 2000mm twin walled HDPE pipeline which was the largest ever HDPE pipe produced in NZ at the time.

On the Christchurch Western Interceptor Stages 1 and 2 we undertook the first use of PE “plasti-lined” concrete pipe in NZ developed specifically for the high hydrogen sulphide environment of a main trunk sewer line by our supplier Hynds. We developed the pipe laying and PE welding and QA methodology in conjunction and then successfully laid 2km of the 1600mm pipeline.

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UCCESS STORY We Thrive on Complex Challenges Andy March, General Manager says “driven by the history of our founders, Buzz and Sam March, we have a capability and willingness to undertake complex water infrastructure projects.

In particular our shoring and dewatering expertise which is unrivalled in NZ was developed and honed within the artesian pressures and running sands of Christchurch”.

Taking on the challenge of the Waimakariri Ocean Outfall Valve Replacement project highlights our track record.

We devised methods to successfully sheet pile, dewater and excavate to 6m+ below ground on the beach in the surf zone below high tide. We developed a bespoke triple walled sheet piling system combined with 4 separate wellpoint dewatering system to enable the valve replacement to be carried out in completely dry conditions. We succeeded in delivering for Waimakariri District Council on this highrisk project where others had previously failed.

Another example is the Christchurch Ocean Outfall TBM Receiving Pit Dewatering where our specialist dewatering capability was sought out to complete the deepest excavation dewatering in Canterbury’s history at 11m below ground level on the Christchurch Estuary and Waste Water Treatment Plant pond embankment.

We are Local and Global From its start in the sands of Burwood, Christchurch March has now become part of world leading French company Soletanche Bachy (ultimately Vinci) and is working with its sister companies as part of the Link Alliance on the City Rail Link, New Zealand’s largest infrastructure project to date, it’s been a fantastic journey so far. The combination of deep New Zealand roots, knowledge, experience and relationships combined with access to global design, engineering, resources and technologies provides our clients with a unique offering in the market.

Looking to the Future As we have been for the past 50 years March looks forward over the next 50 years to help New Zealand move ahead with the challenges of developing its water infrastructure. We aim to deliver real opportunities for our people to develop their skills and talents as we look to add capacity to undertake water maintenance contracts in addition to capital works projects.

Top: Waimakariri Ocean Outfall valve replacement Bottom: March staff celebrate the christening of CRL C6 MTBM “Jeffie”

www.marchcon.co.nz

Commitment, Leadership and Innovation Charles Babbage was the pioneer of modern computing, an advocate for investment in scientific innovation. Charles Babbage challenged convention.

This spirit of challenge, innovation and invention underpins Babbage Consultants today. From our early use of pre-stressed concrete, Babbage has been at the forefront of a number of innovations. These include the first rumble strips ever used on New Zealand roads, designs for the nation’s first stormwater treatment ponds and New Zealand’s first international-standard pool used in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

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When two great earthquakes hit Canterbury in 2010 and ’11, one piece of infrastructure was prepared for the shakes: the Lyttleton to Woolston LPG pipeline designed by Babbage between 1979 and 1984 – all because the risk of a major quake and the consequence of liquefaction had been identified by Babbage engineers as early as 1979.

We bring commitment, leadership and innovation to every project.

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For general enquiries regarding all Babbage national and international consulting engineering, architecture and surveying services, accounts and employment opportunities, please contact our Auckland Office. ai1635393267100_Water NZ Ad_September Issue_print.pdf 1 28/10/2021 4:54:29 pm

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Babbage Consultants Ltd. Level 4, 68 Beach Road, Auckland 1010 New Zealand Ph:+64 9 379 9980 E: contact-us@babbage.co.nz www.babbage.co.nz

WASTEWATER TESTING WATER NEW ZEALAND

Study confirms wastewater provides critical early warning for community outbreaks of Covid A unique study led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) with Watercare and the University of Auckland confirms the benefit of wastewater testing as an early warning system for Covid-19.

The paper, “Sensitivity of wastewater-based epidemiology for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a low prevalence setting”, has been released as a preprint on medRxiv. This study assessed the sensitivity of community wastewater sampling to detect potentially infectious Covid cases in a community.

Joanne Hewitt, senior scientist and project co-lead at ESR says the results of the four-month study demonstrated that the testing of wastewater was a reliable and sensitive platform for detecting Covid infections in the community scale.

“Even when case prevalence is low, we saw that wastewater testing provided a good opportunity of early detection for community outbreaks of Covid-19, however with 10 or more cases the probability of detecting the virus moves to more than 87 percent.”

To assess the sensitivity of the method of surveillance, researchers reviewed all symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, from July to November 2020, in a population of approximately 120,000 where cases were known and uniquely all located in a single managed isolation and quarantine facility (MIQF) building.

The study involved the daily collection of 113 composite wastewater samples from the sewer outside the MIQF and from the wastewater catchment located five kilometres downstream.

Joanne says that over the period, SARS-CoV-2 RNA (that causes Covid) was detected in 54 percent of cases from the wastewater catchment, compared to 95 percent at the MIQF. “Logistic regression, the process of modelling the probability of a discrete outcome given an input variable, was used to estimate the shedding of the virus into wastewater based on four infectious shedding models. With a total of five and 10 Covid-19 infectious cases per 100,000 population the predicated probability of detection at the treatment plant was estimated to be 28 percent and 41 percent, respectively, however when a more realistic proportional shedding model was used, this increased to 58 percent and 87 percent for five and 10 cases, respectively.

“In other words, when 10 individuals were actively shedding

the virus in a catchment of 100,000 individuals, there was a high likelihood of detecting viral RNA in wastewater. The evidence provided confidence that the detections at the treatment plant were associated with increasing Covid-19 cases.”

Sam Trowsdale, lead scientist from the University of Auckland, says the research was pioneering work for the Covid early warning surveillance system.

“We made use of the rather unique situation in New Zealand, where there was no one with Covid-19 in the community and a well quantified small-number of people with Covid in managed isolation. Sampling wastewater from both locations meant we could establish techniques for the ultra-sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater.”

Brett Cowan, ESR chief scientist says the results of the study reaffirmed the role of wastewater sampling as part of New Zealand’s response to Covid, along with community testing and genome sequencing.

“Wastewater-based epidemiology is being used as a critical part of international public health responses to Covid to monitor infections at the community level. The results of the study highlight that if the virus is in the community, then there is a strong probability we will pick it up.

“What Covid-19 has highlighted is the need to get onto viruses as quickly as possible to minimise the spread. We are confident wastewater testing is going to become an even more important part of our public health efforts.”

Brent Gilpin, ESR water and waste team manager added that the findings of the study were being borne out by the detections uncovered in the recent outbreak.

“The recent example of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in Warkworth further demonstrates the benefit of the testing of wastewater samples. A positive detection in the wastewater triggered health officials to specifically advise people in the area to get tested if they had any Covid symptoms, despite there being no known cases.

To read the full paper, go to: bit.ly/2YkEoqo NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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WATER NEW ZEALAND WASTEWATER TESTING

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Project Q&A

The wastewater project is led by Dr Joanne Hewitt, head of ESR’s Environmental Virology Laboratory and ESR science leader Dr Brent Gilpin. Initial work on the project has been funded by the MBIE’s Covid-19 Innovation Acceleration Fund, with the Ministry of Health now funding further application of the work as part of the country’s Covid response.

Wastewater testing is currently occurring at sites around the country. There are currently 12 primary sites being sampled at least once weekly with testing from an additional 12 sites being put in place. Currently, sampling sites include Hamilton, Christchurch, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and seven sites in Auckland.

How are samples collected and tested?

The preferred option is the automatic composite sample. This is where a pump automatically collects a small volume of wastewater every 15 minutes over 24 hours. These are already setup at most wastewater treatment plants and most of the samples are taken this way.

This gives a sample which is reflective of multiple points in time over the day. While many treatment plants have these samplers, some don’t.

To investigate a smaller area, sampling from a manhole for instance, grab sampling is used, which is exactly as it sounds.

A sample is taken directly from the wastewater at one point in time. This gives a snapshot in time which is dependent on diffusions and flows, so it’s less reflective of the overall virus in the sewage for that time.

However, ESR are looking at different approaches, such as using passive samplers that can capture viruses from wastewater as it passes through it.

The one litre samples go to ESR’s laboratory in Wellington, where laboratory staff have become very good at processing them quickly.

First, up to 500mls of the samples are taken and the remainder is stored, so as to be able to confirm an unexpected result. As viruses can be attached to the solids and also be in the water, methods are used that will recover viruses from both parts. This is important if a high level of virus is not expected in the sample.

The sample is then concentrated down to about half a teaspoon, basically removing all the water and leaving the virus behind.

From there it’s the same process as regular testing for the virus of someone’s swab. Viruses are extracted, the RNA is turned into DNA and run on a PCR to see if it is positive or negative for Covid-19.

A cat coronavirus and a mouse norovirus are also added to every sample tested as a control to see how good the methods are.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND WASTEWATER TESTING

“It is important to remember, that this research is going to be useful for other viruses longer-term. The whole area of wastewater epidemiology is a burgeoning area worldwide. Illicit drugs and infectious viruses are just two of the possible areas that wastewater analysis may allow us to understand.”

The cat coronavirus is a good control for SARS CoV-2, while the murine norovirus is more like the enteric viruses ESR usually looks for in wastewater.

Can we trust the results?

There are two factors – specificity and sensitivity. How do the scientists know they have detected what they wanted to, and how sensitive is the test at detecting it?

In terms of specificity, ESR is very confident in the precision.

“When we detect viral RNA in a sample, we are very confident that it is actually from SARS-CoV-2. PCR is a widely used methodology, is extremely sensitive and can produce false positive results particularly when we are looking for things at very low levels. This is something we constantly work to guard against. We have a lot of positive and negative controls, and lots of replicates.

“Before reporting a positive, particularly a very low level unexpected positive, we would always repeat the PCR, and then the whole extraction on a stored replicate sample.”

The second part of this is sensitivity.

It is theoretically possible to detect a single person shedding virus, but unlikely in practice – at least in a reproducible manner.

“Based on what we have observed so far, our test is sensitive enough to discover approximately 10 cases in an area of 100,000 people. That’s not a hard and fast rule as some people shed at different rates based on time of infection, and there are many other factors that affect detection.

“Generally, we would need more cases in large catchments to increase the likelihood of detection because as more people contribute to a sewerage stream there will be dilution in the wastewater which will alter the level of sensitivity.

“It’s kind of like sharks detecting blood in the water. If we think of the blood as the virus and the sharks as our sampling.

People say that sharks can detect a single drop of blood from hundreds of metres away. The more drops of blood in the water, the more likely they detect it. On the same line, the more sharks in the water in the right area, the higher likelihood they detect it.”

What happens when a low-level result is returned?

The protocol ESR developed with the Ministry of Health is that if there is a very low-level unexpected detection, an analysis of a

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second sample taken at the same time is done immediately, and then a repeat sample taken a day or two after.

How is the research addressing detecting Covid in municipal wastewater?

The ESR team has learnt a lot by undertaking daily sampling of wastewater from the Jet Park Hotel since July 2020, and from the South Western Interceptor, where the Jet Park wastewater mixes with that of 130,000 other Aucklanders. The Jet Park wastewater is almost always positive for SARS-CoV-2, and this allows ESR to better understand detections in municipal wastewater.

It’s a controlled place to study detection because the number of positives inside Jet Park are known. This means when a positive detection is seen right outside Jet Park, it can be matched with the number of positive guests. Then checks are made to see whether that positive result is found further down the line at the South Western Interceptor where it mixes with more wastewater.

“We have found this municipal treatment plant is positive for SARS-CoV-2 approximately 50 percent of the time, but that varies, and detections correlate with higher numbers of infectious cases in the Jet Park hotel. We have also had detections in wastewater from Christchurch and Rotorua which we could match with known cases in quarantine facilities.

“We use this knowledge and apply it to the other sites not showing any positives.”

Who is ESR working with on this?

ESR is part of ColoSSoS (Collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, bit.ly/31Fv9lX), a project led by Water Research Australia and operating in parts of Australia, New Zealand and the Mekong countries.

The project has the goal of ensuring experts are liaising and using the most reliable and robust methods and techniques to find a way to conduct this work for the good of communities.

It is important to remember, that this research is going to be useful for other viruses longer-term.

The whole area of wastewater epidemiology is a burgeoning area worldwide. Illicit drugs and infectious viruses are just two of the possible areas that wastewater analysis may allow us to understand.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND COMMENT

Data Governance 101

By Dr Peter Johnson

We live in a data-rich environment. Data is everywhere. In fact, it is often collected for the sake of it with little or no planning or data governance.

At the end of the day, it is data, it comes from somewhere, goes somewhere else, and can be deployed in various ways. But is it useful, how is it managed and why is the data being collected?

Data governance framework

To effectively and efficiently use data, a data governance plan is needed. This sets out why data is collected, what is it to be used for, and the logistics of collection. In general, there are three key areas for data hierarchy: To prove compliance (legislative/ regulatory); for operational optimisation; and future planning/study.

Data collection needs to fit within these boundaries to ensure it has a purpose. If it doesn’t fit – then maybe it doesn’t have a purpose and doesn’t need to be collected.

The objective is to ensure any data governance plan is biased towards the important components like compliance, rather than simple bulk data collection for the sake of it. In summary, do the important parts of data collection properly first, and then the rest can follow.

Data does not exist in a vacuum. For data to be useful it needs to ultimately drive a behaviour.

Often the top-level corporate behaviour is to ensure compliance and then to drive operational optimisation. This leads to the question, what is the relationship between people and data?

A good data governance framework allows data to become information which drives behaviours. For example, proof of compliance comes from robust data. If you know in close to real-time that the data is showing non-compliance, then it allows people to change or do something to become compliant.

Once you know the why then the second part of a data governance structure is to define the data sinks and sources: Where is it coming from? Where does it reside? Where is it consumed?

This is the technical part of data collection.

There are several aspects to data collection – connectivity, cyber security, archiving, data access, time zone management, data latency, legislative data requirements, data ownership, and privacy requirements, etc. The collection and long-term storage of data is best left to the specialists, those with up-to-date, in-depth knowledge and skills in data collection, who also understand the legislative requirements associated with that data.

When data is collected/accessed, then effective analysis can be run.

This should change the data to information. This information should then be used to drive the desired behaviours.

As a simple municipal water supply example, if data from a water reservoir shows it is 40 percent full, what does that mean? In winter it may mean that there is two days’ storage but in summer it may only

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mean six hours storage. The data is the same but the information, and therefore the behaviours that ensue from it, are different.

Data density

It’s easy to be seduced by mega-data lakes of highdensity data to 16 significant figures. In other words, large repositories of data that has been collected because it can be. Is this the right strategy for your data?

Over time we have moved from paper recorded data, to simple computer systems, to ‘big data’, to Dr Peter Johnson. ‘connected data’, and now to ‘data lakes’. This data may not be useful unless you know what and why you collected it and what you are looking to do with it.

You need to collect the right amount of the right data for the right reasons.

We can learn from history. If we look at climate data, we can go back millennia to gather data, but it’s relatively coarse. We know there have been numerous ice ages and climate changes. Prehistory we can get climate data from various sources like growth rings in trees and gas bubbles in ice.

Then we move into recorded history where data sets start to become denser. We have manual records such as barometric pressures, rainfall, river flow, and sediment transport. These manual records have been progressively automated to where we have large amounts of climate data all the way to instruments that record highly accurate and repeatable data points multiple times a second that are globally accessible using protocols such as the OGC WaterML2 framework.

What does the increase in climate data density give us? Undoubtedly it gives us a higher degree of accuracy in measurement and less uncertainty in climate modeling.

But when does increasing the data density no longer improve the climate models?

When designing a data collection system, a formal assessment of data density is required. There are several statistically-based data density methodologies available that will ensure that the right amount of data is being collected.

The Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem (loosely) applied to data density suggests a collection rate of 1/2B where B is the reliable measurement of the rate of change in a system. For example, if a system takes one minute to reliably measure a change, then we would need, as a minimum, a sample every 30 seconds. If we then apply a FS/ SS factor, then one data point every 20 seconds is needed when the system is changing.

There are other constraints that need to be applied to data density and its collection.

I recently worked on a data collection scheme from a large industrial plant where a SCADA historian was set up to log about 48,000 tags at 1 Hz on a PLC infrastructure and comms network that was about 12-15

years old. The system fell over as the network could not cope with the data load.

A formal data density assessment was made and a hybrid system of 0.5 percent dead-band collection was used, with a check polling at a maximum of five minutes. The required data density was achieved without putting too much strain on the PLC and comms infrastructure.

Why 0.5 percent of dead band? That was the typical accuracy of the instrument/PLC/comms system to reliably measure process parameters. Recording at a higher rate or accuracy did not materially add to the data records.

Just because a SCADA historian shows 16 significant figures, the data is unlikely to be that accurate as the commonly deployed instruments simply cannot measure to that degree of accuracy.

The last component of data density is, who is going to run the analytics on the data and what tools will they use?

The base principle is that the greater the data complexity and density, the greater the level of skill and resources that will be needed to extract meaningful information. Without knowing why we are collecting the data, it is almost impossible to determine the level of resources needed for analytics.

It’s easy to be seduced by the ‘bling’ and ability to collect everything we can – the old ‘we’ll collect it and one day we’ll look at it’ mindset.

This needs to be tempered with a data density strategy that is reflective of the real world and the ability of instruments to measure the change and placed into a hierarchy.

Developing a data governance structure

The principles of data governance are relatively straight forward and need to be captured in a formal plan to guide the entire data collection and analytics framework.

Every piece of data collected needs to have a purpose and reason to be collected and sit in a hierarchy of importance. It’s not collected just because it can be.

To manage it, of course, you have to measure it. Take a step back to understand what the best use of resources is in collecting and managing it.

So where do you start in developing your data governance structure?

Decide what behaviours you want to drive. Look at the three core components (legislative/regulatory, operational optimisation, and future planning) then work back from there to decide what you collect and how; Make sure you collect your core data to the best of your ability; Stay focused on the end game.

Look strategically and carefully at what information and how that will drive the right behaviours. Then put these components into a written data governance plan that is periodically reviewed and updated based on the latest information.

Dr Peter Johnson is CEO and founder of Water Outlook and is a professional engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in specialist water and wastewater infrastructure engineering.

Innovation Showcase Do you have a cutting-edge development or innovative stormwater solution?

If so, why not showcase it at our Stormwater Conference at Te Pae, Ōtautahi Christchurch, 18 – 20 May 2022 Water New Zealand’s Stormwater Committee invite you to pitch your innovation or idea to a wide audience of stormwater professionals at the conference.

Your pitch will be no more than 5 minutes long, and a panel of judges and the audience will cast votes for the Overall Best Innovation.

Go to www.stormwaterconference.org.nz to find out more information and how to enter

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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CRITICAL EVENT MANAGEMENT WATER NEW ZEALAND

Manage a critical event, avert a crisis

By David Nicol, managing director ANZ, at BlackBerry.

Critical event or crisis? The two are very different. If you are driving your car and another car pulls out in front of you, that’s a critical event. It only becomes a crisis if you fail to stop and then collide. Your adequate response to this critical event is what prevents it becoming a crisis.

That response depends on three things: a full understanding of the event (you see the car and realise you are about to hit it); having the right systems in place (good brakes); and being able to respond fast enough (your reaction time).

That’s a simple example, but it illustrates the key features of critical event management.

In any organisation, especially one providing critical infrastructure and services such as water, there are many potential critical events that could become crises without adequate responses.

With water supply for example, pipes can burst, pumps and valves can fail. Equally, an earthquake might inflict significant damage on water supply infrastructure.

Cyber criminals are also increasingly likely to trigger a critical incident. Earlier this year, a hacker penetrated the control systems of a water treatment plant in Florida and attempted to lift the concentration of sodium hydroxide – added to adjust pH – to a level that would have been toxic.

Responses to critical events are likely to be highly complex and vary enormously depending on the nature of the event. Equally, the causes of a critical event are likely to be

David Nicol, managing director ANZ, at BlackBerry.

many and varied, and it might be difficult to determine from the initial signals that the event generating them is indeed critical.

If there is a lack of visibility over critical events, and a lack of clarity around the response required, delays will eventuate and increase the likelihood of a critical event becoming a full-blown crisis.

However, it is possible to improve detection of a critical event, greatly reduce reaction time, and deliver the most appropriate responses to mitigate adverse outcomes.

Automated systems can respond rapidly to critical events in physical systems, for example shutting off pumps when a water main bursts, but many critical events call for rapid human action on multiple fronts.

Here are just some of the steps likely to be required in response to a critical event:

• I nvoke predefined alert response protocols to assemble response teams into secure collaboration channels, where they can evaluate the situation and determine next resolution steps and communication requirements.

• Use preconfigured channels to initiate communications to targeted audiences.

• Account for the safety of individuals and gather situational intelligence.

• Keep stakeholders informed throughout the event lifecycle.

• Issue the notifications needed to move through the recovery phase.

It’s possible to prepare a critical event response plan, but if it is a static and outdated plan filed away in a binder, it will not produce the rapid and effective response required.

Under the inevitable stress induced by a major incident or issue, mistakes are likely.

The need for rapid implementation of complex, large-scale responses to critical events has given rise to a new generation of critical event management platforms (CEMs) designed to help organisations prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive events.

They incorporate secure communications and automation, but also artificial intelligence and machine learning to better enable them to identify critical events and determine an appropriate response. Using APIs, they can communicate instantly with multiple other systems to both gather information about an event and initiate appropriate action.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND CRITICAL EVENT MANAGEMENT

BlackBerry control room. Responses to critical events are likely to be highly complex and vary enormously depending on the nature of the event.

The power and functionality of CEM systems has greatly increased in recent years, thanks to the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). The more closely systems are monitored, the more information is available to identify a critical event, pinpoint the nature of that event and initiate appropriate action.

One major US airport has its own police and fire services and huge range of communications channels making response to even a minor incident, potentially complex and chaotic. These channels included pagers, phones, PA systems, digital displays, approximately 700 IP phones, and an SMS alerting solution.

Operations centre personnel struggled to maintain an accurate list of external contacts and lacked a simple means of communicating with external organisations in the wake of a critical event.

The airport implemented a CEM solution which enabled them to create approximately 200 templates covering the full scope of issues it could face, including power outages, fuel spills, weather events, aircraft

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malfunctions, and human threats.

It also integrated the CEM platform with 21 external organisations, including local first responders. To illustrate just one capability, the system can immediately set up a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting between people predetermined as being required to respond to an event.

In extreme circumstances, and only within jurisdictions where it is permitted, a CEM platform can deliver critical messages to the public by initiating a cell broadcast right across a mobile network, and interrupting TV and radio broadcasts.

In Canada, the University of Windsor in Ontario worked with the BlackBerry team to customise its CEM platform to address critical events relating to water resources. The solution autonomously collects data from a large number of sensors to provide early warnings of floods and other water related hazards and initiate appropriate responses.

It has been estimated the system could save local municipalities up to C$1 million (NZ$1.12 million) in operating expenses.

There are many other applications of CEM

that leverage its central feature of enabling communications with, and maintaining status information on, a predetermined group of people. For example, a CEM could communicate a late change to cohort of workers scheduled for a particular shift or record the vaccination status of all members of a workforce.

To an organisation like a water utility that employs a mobile workforce, the ability to tailor communication to an individual’s location can be very valuable.

When infections are detected, movement restrictions can be imposed at very short notice, impacting anyone who has recently visited the locality of the outbreak.

A CEM’s geo-targeting capability ensures only those impacted receive alerts. It enables people to report their status and pulls all the information together to give an overview of the situation, and potentially avoid a crisis.

Known for pioneering secure mobile handsets that laid the groundwork for today’s smartphones, BlackBerry has reinvented itself as a provider of secure and trusted end-to-end software solutions.

FILTERRA® The Next Generation in Raingardens

Innovative green infrastructure solution for housing development The Ōwairaka development in the Roskill community saw some severe challenges in providing proper treatment of the stormwater discharging to Oakley Creek. Within the principles of Te mana o te Wai, the stream needs to be protected from both water quality and quantity perspectives.

Add to this, the fact that this is a brownfield development with established tree root networks, aged and degraded services both underground and overhead, and shallow basalt rock that made any deep excavation difficult and expensive; this development needed some innovative design and technology.

Kāinga Ora civils alliance partner, Piritahi laid the groundwork, preparing land and infrastructure for this urgently needed housing stock, including investigating a solution to managing the stormwater.

An additional Auckland Council requirement was to provide 5mm retention to adhere to SMAF requirements.

Considering the Low-Impact-Design principle of at-source treatment, a conventional rain garden would have worked well, but it would have required damage to (or removal of) the existing trees and an expensive relocation of underground services. A small footprint rain garden with retention capability was the ideal answer, but none existed to fit the site-specific challenges.

Enhanced pollutant removal, low maintenance costs and small footprint.

Three great reasons why Filterra is the best stormwater treatment device available.

FILTERRA®

Piritahi approached Stormwater360 for a compact green infrastructure solution. We worked with the Piritahi land development team to deliver an innovative solution that used the Filterra Biofiltration System, coupled with a retention chamber underneath. It was designed as a two-part system with the concrete infiltration chamber installed first, then the Filterra positioned on top of it. The high infiltration rate of the Filterra media allowed for a far smaller footprint per device, ensuring minimal disturbance to the surrounding trees and services, yet still achieving the required environmental outcomes.

Area of traditional raingarden*

» High biofiltration media flow rate (2,500mm to 4,450mm p/h) – results in greatly reduced footprint vs traditional solutions

» Proven performance 3rd party verified and certified for TSS, Phosphorus, Enhanced dissolved metals, Nitrogen and hydrocarbons

» Quality assurance Over 25 Quality Assurance tests to guarantee consistency, superior performance & infiltration

» Flexible configurations Packaged plug and play solutions for smaller catchments, custom Bioscape for large catchments (1ha+) – shaped to site-specific features

» Quick & easy maintenance No specialist equipment or contractor; first year maintenance included; extended maintenance contract can be arranged

» Most cost effective, approved GD01 device to maintain per m2 of catchment area

0800 STORMWATER (0800 786769) www.stormwater360.co.nz *Based on a comparison of a traditional designed raingarden(k=0.3-0.75m/d) and the Filterra® (k=2.5m/d)

Non-commissioned Filterra FT1212 with retention. Device footprint 1,44m² treating ±400m² road; approximately 1,4m³ retention volume in tank below.

Contaminated stormwater from the subdivision flows into the Filterra where it is treated in the rain garden compartment. The treated stormwater flows down into the infiltration chamber to soak into the natural rock, recharging the groundwater network below. When the infiltration chamber is at capacity, treated water is discharged to the stormwater network and ultimately flows into Oakley Creek.

The system is a plug-and-play solution and arrived in two pieces at the site - easily installed. Stormwater360 will commission and plant the system once construction has been completed, and arrange the first year of maintenance to ensure plant establishment and make sure the system complies with our quality standards.

This project’s success was underpinned by strong and continuous collaboration between Piritahi and Stormwater360 throughout all stages of the project.

ASSET MANAGEMENT WATER NEW ZEALAND

Sustainable water through

smart asset management Digital technology is rooted in innovation and rapid development. To drive economic, environmental and social performance, we need technologies that truly connect and enhance our industry to achieve sustainable outcomes for communities. With significant investment required, major reform, and socioeconomic trends indicating 1.8 percent annual population growth, innovation has never been more pertinent. By Fleur Tytheridge, Thinkproject.

There are a number of technologies that empower us to collaborate and innovate, achieve higher productivity and compliance, and sustainably create and manage assets. Digital solutions enable us to connect with stakeholders and physical assets to gain valuable insights, enhancing our capability for industry collaboration and innovation across the entire asset lifecycle.

Visibility of relevant, quality data, in real-time allows us to deliver projects with more control and predictability, helping minimise risk and reduce conflicts and cost. Mitigating disruption caused by the pandemic and building resiliency is achievable, making our supply chains more effective and efficient.

safety, and lean and industrialised construction.

Information modelling has paved the way to 3D modelling and beyond. Combining BIM data, 2D plans and 3D models with asset data produces powerful insights on various assets or across an entire asset portfolio. It allows easy navigation of and interaction with complex infrastructure structures for asset management and maintenance activities.

Technologies transforming asset management, operation and maintenance Technological innovations are moving us towards truly smart water. These technologies aren’t necessarily new, but as they are at various stages of adoption and advancement, they remain emergent. BIM, for example, has been around for decades, however less than half of the industry has adopted it. And IoT has been with us since 2010, yet many aren’t utilising smart devices and leveraging data outputs to their best potential, if at all.

Some technologies simply won’t become mainstream as they continue to struggle with market creation, while some are so expensive, that many just cannot or will not adopt them until they are commoditised.

BIM

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become a mainstream technology with the first few dimensions, often referred to as multiple layers of data. BIM is already at the tenth dimension, or layer, allowing us to model data on time, cost, sustainability and environmental properties, asset and facilities management,

Digital twins

Digital Twins enable us to create a digital replica of the built environment. When using real-time sensor data and incorporating asset data, a digital twin enables asset optimisation and advances predictive and preventative maintenance capabilities.

Visualising information models is elevated beyond the screen with extended reality (XR); whether its augmented, virtual or mixed reality.

XR is a combination of physical and digital worlds, with interactions where visualisations are generated by software and wearables. You can step inside design plans before projects commence, walk through sites to support health and safety training, run simulations of complex processes allowing the operator to prepare without risk to themselves or the project, and perform remote site inspections.

Fleur Tytheridge, Thinkproject.

Wearables

Wearables used for XR differ to those used by field operators carrying out construction and maintenance activities. Smart glasses, watches, boots, helmets and bodywear are designed to keep workers safe, healthy and productive.

Glasses enable field operators to display safety protocols, identify hazardous materials and areas, and interact with remote technicians as they guide the operator through complex tasks using visual aids.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND ASSET MANAGEMENT

Watches allow for handsfree communication, assist with contact tracing, and monitor health indicators and activity levels, with alerts sent to authorised personnel.

Boots, helmets and bodywear can detect impacts, potential risks, and harmful gases.

Exoskeletons provide field operators with support and strength, improving worker safety and efficiency, while reducing body stress and fatigue.

Some wearables use Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. As they become smaller, smarter, more connected and mobile, IoT sensors can be positioned just about anywhere. IoT creates connected assets, allowing accurate, real-time monitoring – water meters, consumption, tank levels, pump performance, and environmental conditions can be easily monitored, and leaks and contamination can be detected.

This data can be used to detect trends and patterns in an asset’s performance, and enables risks to be minimised, while performance is maximised and, ultimately, improve the community experience.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a vast and infinite technology with many uses for asset management. AI delivers remote inspections, deterioration analysis, lifecycle optimisation, and predictive and preventative maintenance. It is also used in generative design, which automates and optimises design outputs by solving complex problems.

Generative design is an exploration process using AIdriven software to create a range of solutions that meet a set of constraints; parameters such as manufacturing methods, cost

Showcasing value of data standardisation and visualisation Tararua District Council recognised the need to improve its Three Waters asset management, ongoing maintenance, and capital works needs, in addition to its asset valuation process. As with most local government authorities, multiple asset management systems were in place across various asset repositories. In Tararua, one of these was RAMM, Thinkproject’s integrated asset management and maintenance solution.

In collaboration with Tararua Alliance, Thinkproject configured an asset hierarchy and data structure in alignment with NZAMS in order to support consistent, quality asset metadata and associated reporting.

Datasets for Three Waters and water treatment facilities were migrated into RAMM where they are now geospatially represented in a single source of truth, allowing for aggregated data analysis and reporting in line with the national standards. Data quality is crucial in performing accurate asset valuation of the entire Three Waters network in Tararau District, an essential process that is now achievable.

Further, if asset data defined by NZAMS has not yet been captured or requires validation, the flexible user-defined tables system allows the council to start the standardisation journey with the information available by deactivating fields

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Water Treatment Facility 3D Model

as needed, and reactivating as the asset data evolves.

One data source supplied by Tararua Alliance were 2D schematics, the actual Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) for the water treatment facilities. Most government authorities have these available and require little in the way of technical data to start on the data visualisation journey. This presented an opportunity to develop a unique and innovative solution to better visualise the asset data in these complex drawing files, and deliver real value for both the asset owner and maintenance providers.

Schematic Navigator was developed in RAMM and implemented with Tararua Alliance.

This new module enables a library of documents to be uploaded and categorised by asset hierarchy and type. Assets and components are simply outlined on the document and linked to pre-defined asset metadata.

When an asset is selected on the schematic, the asset record is displayed on a pop-up and

in the asset register, and vice versa when an asset is selected on the hierarchy, it’s displayed on the schematic.

This allows Tararua Alliance to easily navigate intricate and complex structures to locate asset information and those that require inspection, assessment or work.

Having asset records linked directly to the location on a diagram, simplifies and streamlines asset management and maintenance workflows.

Thinkproject’s approach to data visualisation ensures that as Tararua Alliance progresses on its digital transformation journey, the software transforms with them.

The next phase is Schematic 3D Navigator, enabling 2D schematics to be converted into interactive 3D models, and for common 3D formats to be imported directly into RAMM. The journey continues with digital twinning, technology currently under development.

Thinkproject is collaborating with other private, public and academic sector leadership in the Digital Twin Challenge, led by the Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand, to progress 13 projects that will accelerate the region’s capability.

Projects cover a wide spectrum of strategies, roadmaps and frameworks for planning and design, data management and sharing, utilising IoT and AI for digital twin performance, sustainability, education and community engagement, and asset optimisation.

Tararua District Council Three Waters and structure Pahiatua.

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and materials, performance and spatial requirements. Software explores all possible variations, including designs that are impossible to make with traditional manufacturing methods.

Instead, assets and components are constructed using new additive manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing is otherwise known as 3D printing.

It can be used to build prototypes and full-scale assets and components using water and heat resistant material. Additive manufacturing addresses supply chain issues and labour shortages, reduces cost, time, and human error, and can have a positive impact on the environment by reducing waste from traditional manufacturing.

Whether a robotic arm on a 3D printer or an autonomous rover, robotics are on the horizon.

Autonomous rovers, drones and bots efficiently undertake inspections and surveys, particularly welcome in the face of labour shortages.

Mechanical arms automate highly repetitive and complex tasks, and semi-autonomous robots, or co-bots, allow workers to perform dangerous activities safely.

With the focus on worker safety and efficiencies that automation delivers, robotics are becoming mainstream in the field during asset construction, operation, and maintenance.

Smart asset management is an ecosystem of digital and physical solutions that encompasses dynamic modelling, real-time

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visibility, connected assets, worker safety, and data intelligence.

Innovations in emerging technologies improve productivity and compliance, and, ultimately, enable the sustainable management of water infrastructure assets.

Solutions that are smart, agile, and interconnected allow us to deliver new and improved outcomes for our organisations, employees, and communities.

Data standardisation and visualisation

With critical assets engulfed in data, the challenge is to ensure data is relevant, credible, legitimate, and effective.

New Zealand Asset Metadata Standards (NZAMS) is the framework to achieve this, and digital technology is how it is executed. NZAMS enhances the quality and consistency of Three Waters asset management schema, supported by digital technology, enhancing the ability to aggregate, analyse, and share data insights. This enables evidence-based decisions and reporting on asset criticality, condition, and performance.

Visualising this data is essential as assets become more intricate – equipped with connected sensors and virtual structures – and are so complex within a small area that GIS alone struggles to visualise them. Data visualisation is transforming asset management by shifting from static, textual datasets, to dynamic data-rich solutions with the application of visualisation principles in 2D, 3D and 4D spaces.

RAMM Three Waters and Facilities Management RAMM is a fully integrated asset management and maintenance solution for infrastructure and property asset portfolios, providing a

single source of truth for all stakeholders.

Achieve compliance with the New Zealand Asset Metadata Standards RAMM’s Three Waters asset hierarchy is structured in alignment with the NZAMS to support data quality and consistency. With its flexible User Defined Tables system, asset hierarchies are easily configured to meet your requirements as they evolve.

Visualise data to produce powerful insights across your asset repository RAMM’s intuitive map interface and offline functionality enables operation in any location at any time. Combine asset data with 2D schematics and 3D models to enhance asset optimisation and preventative maintenance capabilities for sustainably managed assets.

www.thinkproject.com

WATER NEW ZEALAND DIGITAL WATER

Enabling horizon technologies Embedding agile digital solutions and adopting new advances such as biological sensors will become an increasingly vital part of the toolbox for future water utilities, as infrastructure advisor Hugh Blake Manson explained to a recent Water New Zealand and IPWEA Asset Management Forum in Wellington.

Our water cycle is well understood – something taught at school and then possibly forgotten by many. While we tend to simplify and compartmentalise the water cycle in our built environment to provide line of sight on its management, Three Waters is in reality One Water – connected and circular in nature.

Through our built and natural infrastructure we have controlled, abstracted, treated, consumed, then discharged this water for our benefit. Our communities’ expectation is that the water they consume and recreate in will be available, safe, and culturally appropriate. Unfortunately that does not hold true all the time in New Zealand.

A look at 2019/20 nationally reported Registered Water Supplies Compliance data (see images) across the country gives a stark reminder of the difficulty in suppliers achieving compliance particularly for quality criteria.

Non-compliance in some cases could be not following process or taking an insufficient number of samples. However, it could also be that a public health risk is present or a system has failed, so a boil water notice is required.

Water New Zealand technical manager Noel Roberts has noted that with the Water Services Act now in force, Clause 21 ‘Duty to supply safe drinking water’ means that taking a complianceonly approach to water supply and along with meeting minimum monitoring requirements won’t be accepted. A more vigilant risk management approach is required.

Digital water: Simplicity from complexity Meeting these new goals may appear daunting, unachievable, and unforgiving. Turning to and embedding digital water is part of the potential solution mix. That is, technologies that allow coordinated information-driven decision making, planning and financing at a one water scale.

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Digital water’s success will lie in being digitally agile, with skilled people, streamlined approaches, and risk-based processes and platforms. Systemising as many processes as possible will be needed to balance the shortage of skilled people.

Biological sensors, or biosensors, are one stream of emerging technologies that hold significant potential to detect and alert us about contaminants such as metals, bacterium, viruses, and chemicals, in near real-time. You may already be familiar with commodity level biosensors such as the home pregnancy test kit, and ‘in arm’ glucose (insulin) monitoring unit.

Biosensors are an analytical device. An analyte or specific target substance, e.g. virus, produces an electrical response when binding with a specific substance media. A transducer converts the binding event into a measurable electrical signal which is then amplified and digitally displayed.

There are, however, a number of challenges in taking biosensors from the laboratory to commercial (commodity) level.

The major technical challenges in the development of biosensors for virus detection in water and wastewater include relatively low virus concentrations, small particle size, naturally occurring inhibitory substances, and their unique structure requiring exact matching with the recognition substance.

Significant effort is being put into biosensor development for Covid-19 rapid detection in wastewater.

Further, imagine a future where every household water connection has an embedded biosensorcommunications system monitoring water quality.

This is connected to a stop valve, which is activated if the indicator virus, chemical or metal is detected. An alert is also sent to the water supplier and property owner for immediate action.

Infrastructure advisor Hugh Blake Manson.

Top: North & South Island Registered Water supplies compliance data. A stark reminder of the difficulty in suppliers achieving compliance particularly for quality criteria.

Above: Biosensor elements & linkages. Biosensors are an analytical device. An analyte or specific target substance, e.g. virus, produces an electrical response when binding with a specific substance media. A transducer converts the binding event into a measurable electrical signal which is then amplified and digitally displayed.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND DIGITAL WATER

This horizon technology would, on a mass deployment scale, provide extensive insight into and management of dynamic network water quality.

The opportunity to gain insight into a household’s water use and health (assuming it is matched with other data) is both significant and concerning, particularly around privacy and reliability questions.

We can learn from the experience of other sectors that have adopted advance global technologies, such as automotive, avionics, and space (NASA) sectors.

The automotive industry is making rapid advances in artificial intelligence technologies to support Driver Assisted Systems (DAS). A focus on autonomous alerting and collision avoidance is being thoroughly tested and improved.

Automation in the avionics industry is also advancing rapidly via the Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). That has however proven fatal twice, with substantial loss of life.

At the same time, the NASA Ingenuity helicopter, utilising some commonly available technologies and sophisticated proprietary algorithms, is required to operate autonomously with no terrestrial GPS systems.

Some of the many key learnings we can take from these sectors’ digital journey include:

• Manual user intervention must be possible at any point – but build in intelligent, onboard interventions if communication line of sight is not immediately available.

• Highly skilled, trained people are vital in managing this complex environment.

• Simplicity, including clear definitions of what is required, is vital – if humans can’t make rapid complex decisions with clarity, then the potential for more calamitous outcomes is possible.

• Complexity introduces more risks.

• To err is to be human. Automation and digital systems will work continuously 24/7. The future skills for the water sector will come from driving efficiency through automated intelligent process control. The exciting challenge for those working in the sector is to have oversight of all of these systems and keep them humming.

New Zealand’s One Water system is currently subject to changes in regulation and management. The expectation is that quality will increase significantly through investment in infrastructure, people and processes. This comes with increased personal liabilities.

Digital water provides the opportunity to meet these new complex challenges. Biosensors have demonstrated their potential to provide very high quality information at a commodity scale, but more development is required.

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Concrete solutions

WATER NEW ZEALAND SMART NETWORKS

Creating a smart water network for Christchurch Rawhiti is located east of central Christchurch, running from Wainoni in the west, to New Brighton in the east. Christchurch City Council manages the water supply network for Rawhiti, providing drinking water, sewage, and recycled services to its customers. The area incorporates over 11,000 connections, which are predominantly residential with a small percentage of commercial businesses.

As part of the council’s commitment to Te wai ora o Tāne (Water for Life), a pilot smart water network is being installed across the Rawhiti water supply zone.

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate that continuous monitoring of flows, consumption, leaks, water quality, and water pressure will achieve the Three Waters smart water objectives, namely, to improve water safety, asset management, operational management, and sustainability.

To gain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of vulnerabilities within the Rawhiti water network, the council required an understanding of the latest network information and performance changes.

It needed a long term solution to address these challenges, with a focus on critical assets and acoustic/transient network profiling, which would allow a proactive response to identified issues. This would include continuous real time monitoring of pressure transients and leak detection, with a view to a reduction of non-revenue (NRW) losses.

Two of the companies involved in the pilot provide an insight into the technology deployed.

Unifying data to improve performance

Evan Atkinson, general manager, Suez Smart Solutions Significant opportunities to improve the safety and performance of water networks are now available to councils thanks to a growing number of Smart IoT devices and digital platforms.

A foundational element in building a smart water network is collating disparate data sources in a way that provides unified visibility to the data collected. This can generate additional insights through correlation between differing data sources, and provide a workflow for managing responses to any anomalies identified.

In essence, when multiple platforms are brought together, the value generated from the investment is maximised.

Key elements being installed into Christchurch’s smart network include: • Acoustic sensors: 200 HWM PermaNET+ sensors will proactively monitor noise and vibration, detecting ‘escaping water’ on critical mains. Leaks can then be isolated and rectified, reducing pipe failures and water losses.

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• Pressure transients: 20 Inflowmatix high frequency sensors will record pressure 128 times per second. Identifying the magnitude, scale and causes of transients experienced by the network, will enable actions to be taken to calm the network. The focus here being increasing asset life and maintaining constant positive pressures.

• Water quality: A scan nanostation multiparameter sensor will measure in real-time; the pH, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved organic carbon and oxidation reduction potential of water supplied at Keyes pump station. This will reduce time to detect microbial contamination and support the council’s water safety plan.

• Smart meters: 1400 Itron Intelis ultrasonic smart meters are being installed onto customer connections to provide daily insight on water usage. For the homeowner, this means proactive and timely identification of leaks, and for the network, it will support an accurate water balance enabling identification of network side leakage.

• Bulk flowmeters – 8 Khrone flowmeters and 8 Yokogawa pressure transducers are being installed to support the virtual separation of the Rawhiti system into virtual DMAs. This additional monitoring supports zone by zone water balance for improved leak identification alongside the installed customer smart meters.

• Monitoring system – Aquadvanced Water Networks from SUEZ Smart Solutions will provide data centralisation across the integrated smart network, and be used to correlate data, identify issues, and plan responses to network events.

Typically, data for these IoT devices is transferred into secure cloud storage, then accessed via each device supplier’s specific web portal.

To generate additional value and improve the operating workflow, Christchurch City Council is installing Aquadvanced Water Networks to bring these disparate data sources into a single unified platform for continuous monitoring, dashboarding and event detection.

Operators will be provided with map-based display of key network metrics, real-time dashboards, automatic event detection using statistical models, and workflow management. By time-aligning all data sets into a consistent integrated platform, network anomalies can be readily cross-checked and validated against each of the data sets, further targeting response and interventions.

The benefits realised and lessons learned from installing this

WATER NEW ZEALAND SMART NETWORKS

Work packages scope What

Description

Outcome

A - Monitoring system

Aquadvanced Water Network System

Dashboard showing all data from the different sensors

B – Water quality

S::Can Nano::Station at Keyes Pump Station

Real time sensor detecting pH, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, oxidation reduction

Reduce time to detect microbial contamination, serve as a Critical Control Point

C1 – Transients

20 Inflowmatix pressure sensors

Detect and measure pressure transients (spikes of high pressure) in the supply network through high frequency monitoring.

Reduce pressure transients, Increase asset life. Critical Control Point (no risk of

200 HWM PermaNET +

Detect the soundwaves created by ‘escaping’ water and alert to the presence of leaks.

Reduce water demand

C2 – Acoustics

D – Smart water meters

E – Bulk flowmeters

4 Aquarius Hydrophone

1

potential, dissolved organic carbon

1493 Ultrasonic Itron Intelis + Accurately measure and communicate residents hourly water usage 500 W end point

maintenance, and planning responses to events

contamination due to positive pressure)

Accurate leakage identification Reduce leakage  lower risk of contamination Manage demand Allow water balance calculation Leak and reverse flow identification

8 Khrone Flowmeters 8 Yokogawa Pressure Transducer

09933 WaterNZ Journal Half Page Ad 187 x 130mm CMYK FIN_OCT 21.indd 1

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Data centralization, to manage operational,

Monitor and communicate pressure and flow needed to establish DMAs

Water balance calculation Leaks identification

28/10/21 1:39 pm

integrated smart network pilot will inform the potential future expansion across the rest of Christchurch’s water supply network.

Optimising the network

By Vaughn Healy, general manager service delivery, Detection Services.

Working collaboratively, Detection Services established asset criticality with likelihood and consequences of failure, correlating this with customer importance, to identify challenges and prioritise investment or renewal strategies.

The initial investigation included analysis of existing network data, such as network density, connectivity, mains by age, materials, assets deemed critical, and break frequency history. This provided a unique overview of the network, determined high risk locations, and supported an accurate and targeted sensor deployment program to cover the water supply zone.

To support the investigation, continued data analysis provided clear and valuable insights into potential issues within the Rawhiti network.

This data highlighted the at-risk areas in the water supply zone, including analysis of ‘criticality and consequence of failure’, and a calculated leakage index to determine a failure prediction model (FPM). It also identified monitoring locations that would provide optimal coverage of the zone and support those high risk areas within the network.

A sophisticated hardware and software solution used advanced transient analytics, such as Cumulative Pressure Induced Stress (CPIS), to analyse the network and its characteristics. This provided insights into the anomalous behaviour correlated to burst frequency, pressure cycle characterisation, etc., and provided a clear visualised analytic metric of stress in the network.

The Detection Services solution allowed for field services and analysis to target areas of concern rather than just a ‘blanket approach’ to align with the council’s objectives and budget.

Within the Rawhiti zone, asbestos cement mains comprise the single largest percentage of all pipe materials, with approximately 10 percent of the network having pipelines between 200mm and 300mm in diameter and considered a high risk critical asset.

Twenty assets were identified for transient monitoring (fire hydrants) with installation of Inflomatix pressure transient sensors.

A further 200 assets were identified for acoustic monitoring with installation of HWM PermaNET sensors for leak detection.

This data, combined with field services, provided for a greater focus on the most productive acoustic noise logger targeted locations, and permanent transient monitoring stations.

Analysis of data received in parallel with Detection Services’ FIDO Artificial Intelligence platform was used to enable proactive condition assessment to optimise the network. This cost effective approach allows for scalable and expandable solutions for future system integrations.

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CONDITION ASSESSMENT

ASSET MONITORING

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Our condition assessment technologies turn data into actionable results to maintain integrity, reliability and maximise value for assets.

Our monitoring technologies evaluate network operating conditions, increasing productivity, asset quality and environmental performance.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND SMART SENSORS

Solving sewer network issues with smart sensors Two Auckland university researchers have joined with international partners to develop a revolutionary biodegradable sensor for detecting blocked sewage pipes, using a similar technique to how we might find missing car keys.

Sewer systems are one of the most important parts of urban infrastructure. However, rapidly growing populations, ageing infrastructure issues, and extreme climate change events are stressing facilities of urban networks.

As a result, drainage networks have seen an increasing number of fatberg formations, blockages, and raw sewage overflows. A fatberg is a very large mass of solid waste in a sewage system, consisting especially of congealed fat and personal hygiene products flushed down the toilet.

Moreover, like blockages, illicit or cross-connections can happen in several ways, with different environmentally damaging outcomes. Sewer cross-connections to the stormwater pipes are more problematic, as this releases human waste containing pathogens to receiving water bodies, such as marine or freshwater.

Alternatively, an illicit connection from stormwater to sewer can significantly increase wastewater volumes to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) during rainy days. Stormwater, which

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is otherwise much less polluted than raw sewage, is then treated as raw sewage, incurring additional costs, labour, and overflow risks at the WWTPs. So, detecting illicit or cross-connections is an important task.

At present, there are only a few options for identifying blockages, illicit/cross-connections, or structural deteriorations. Techniques such as dye testing, smoke testing, or CCTV visualisation exist, but they can be time-consuming and labour-intensive.

To better address sewer blockage and illicit connection, researchers from across three institutions came together to develop a suite of flushable ultra-high frequency identification (UHFRFID) sensors.

RFID technology, especially the ultra-high frequency kind (865– 928 MHz), has been widely used in many industries and large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) applications, due to its simple architecture, real-time sensing capability, and versatile detection ranges.

There are a number of benefits of using UHF-RFID sensors in

Letf: Setting up the test in a stormwater utility hole.

Above: To better address sewer blockage and illicit connection, researchers from across three institutions came together to develop a suite of flushable ultra-high frequency identification (UHF-RFID) sensors. The finished sensors are designed to be small enough (each of them no larger than a cigarette lighter) and flushable via a toilet bowl or directly released through a gully trap, creating a ‘non-invasive’ method.

The above Figure was published in Water Research Journal, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117107 and reused with permission.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND SMART SENSORS

sewer systems. They are battery-free, have a long lifespan, are small in size, and low in cost. The UHF-RFID-based sensors used in the study cost under two dollars.

Each sensor has a unique serial number and a microchip that can store information, such as property names, street numbers and asset information. By properly using RFID technology, it is possible to precisely determine illicit or cross-connections specifically to a toilet bowl or gully trap of a household.

In their study, RFID-sensors were tested with various environmentally-friendly polymer materials to ensure sensors remained buoyant or floating on wastewater surfaces throughout their travel time in the sewer network. The research team finally landed on 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) structures that ensured substantial detecting ranges by allowing sensors to always align in the required direction in a sewer system. PLA is a biodegradable material that is compostable.

The team has also been developing completely biodegradable RFID sensors that do not create additional solid loadings to the sewer environment.

The finished sensors are designed to be small enough (each of them no larger than a cigarette lighter) and flushable via a toilet bowl or directly released through a gully trap, creating

a ‘non-invasive’ method.

The team conducted field trials with Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters department, Watercare, and Tonkin+Taylor.

With all the additional costs on top of the UHF-RFID sensors, such as antennas, RFID readers, computing power, and labour, the trials led to an estimated gross cost of $21 per property, with plenty of room for cost reduction.

Additionally, these sensors can be used to obtain hydraulic information of sewer networks, providing real-time input to hydraulic models that predict scenarios like blockages.

They can also be used as digital tracers to provide network remapping solutions and buried property drainage directions in a cost-effective and efficient manner. When used in conjunction with GIS, it will be a high-throughput method of updating dated network records and confirming newly completed land developments.

The research is very exciting, partially because of the speed of the research. So far, the sensors have gone from an idea to successful field trials and real-life applications within a couple of years.

The team is poised to develop more IoT sensors to digitalise Three Waters Networks, for a more sustainable, resilient, and clean future.

Dr Wei-Qin Zhuang (middle) and the Tonkin+Taylor team in the field trial.

The project is led by Drs Wei-Qin Zhuang and Colin Whittaker at the University of Auckland and Dr Ray Zhong at the University of Hong Kong. The project team also includes environmental engineering Ph.D. candidates Sundra Tatiparthi (also Three Waters engineer at Babbage Consultants) and Yashika De Costa (also environmental engineer at PDP Consultants), and two researchers from the University of Queensland, Dr Shihu Hu and Professor Zhiguo Yuan. All are co-authors in a recently published journal article in Water Research (Tatiparthi et al., 2021) detailing results from field-trials with more ongoing studies.

For collaboration or more information, email Wei-Qin Zhuang (wq.zhuang@auckland.ac.nz)

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WATER NEW ZEALAND TECHNOLOGY

Are you listening to your infrastructure?

We are familiar with issuing commands to Alexa to switch on appliances and find our favourite music. Now, new Internet of Things (IoT) technology enables infrastructure to ‘talk’ to us.

Around the world councils, industrial companies, and emergency services are using industrial-grade sensors to collect data which is presented on a Cloud platform enabling customers to monitor assets and incidents remotely, effectively, and efficiently. The sensor is a smart distance level monitor, and works equally well with water, wastewater, and rubbish.

Smart sensors in roadside catch pits and stormwater drains mean a drain can sense it is full of water and send a signal that it needs emptying. Along with regular reports, they send an alert when water levels are rising which could also mean a blockage in the system.

Using this technology can significantly reduce the need for routine manual inspection of drains because the physical work is instead done with a mouse click, and maintenance staff only need to inspect the pits that require maintenance. If there is a blockage or flood risk, operations can send out a service crew to deal with the problem.

One council which introduced ‘smart drains’ sensors is Yarra Ranges Council in Victoria, Australia. The council faced local flood management and drainage challenges with over 4900 properties known to be at risk of flooding from waterways or underground drains, and also anticipated long term future pressures on the existing drainage system associated with urban consolidation and an increase in rainfall intensity.

In 2018, Yarra Ranges Council trialled the first sensors in stormwater drains through a collaboration between Downer, Fujitsu and EYEfi. In Queensland, Transurban, one of the world’s largest toll road operators, is currently piloting smart drain sensors to monitor stormwater drains on its roads. The sensors have been installed in stormwater drains along toll roads, and even inside tunnels.

Smart sensors in roadside catch pits and stormwater drains mean a drain can sense it is full of water and send a signal that it needs emptying. Along with regular reports, they send an alert when water levels are rising which could also mean a blockage in the system.

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These sensors will enable Transurban to monitor key drainage systems and will enable Transurban to avoid having to wait for planned road closures to carry out inspections.

This technology can also provide a solution for emergency services. Melbourne Water, which has direct responsibility for bushfire planning, management, and the identification of bushfires within and around the city’s water catchments, uses sensors to identify and manage fires, using cameras to locate, detect and track fires, lightning, smoke plumes and hotspots in real time.

Improving asset efficiency

What each of these trials in Australia have shown is that monitoring stormwater pits and knowing how your assets are performing in real time reduces the risk of costly inundation events occurring.

Automatic monitoring of stormwater pits/drains provides timely details of water activity within floodprone areas, gross pollutant traps, and aggregation points.

Constant monitoring of these assets reduces the need and cost of routine inspections, allows for better maintenance of the drain network by focusing on known problem areas and reduces the potential occurrence of costly flood events and associated damage to the surrounding environment.

Regular scheduled maintenance of the drain assets without knowing whether maintenance is required or not is costly for service providers. Real time knowledge of how these assets perform will reduce the need for routine inspections as well as reducing labour intensive un-planned maintenance visits.

This significantly improves operational efficiency by being able to target the exact location of a flood event in advance leading to more efficient management of network performance and capacity. It will also improve resource management and operations by allowing critical resources to be deployed to known problem areas.

Additional benefits for a service provider include the ability to have accurate monitoring and reporting of how the assets are performing including the capacity to identify trends and problem hotspots in the network.

EYEfi smart sensor and cloud technologies: the new normal SMART DRAINS: DON’T BE CAUGHT OUT BY OVERFLOWING DRAINS! know how your stormwater network is performing and receive timely alerts of rising water levels plug-in EYEfi sensor to manage entire stormwater and drain network only inspect the pits that require maintenance reduce flooding risk by monitoring water levels in roadside pits and drains

How does it work?

Sensors connect and deliver data to the Cloud; a centralised and secure web application that provides end-users with management and control over their sensor network, using a simple to use dashboard style user interface. Sensors used in the Australian pilot programmes can sense distance and level from a range of 30mm to 4000mm; operate in temperatures from -20 to +60 degrees Celsius, and use Lithium battery with a three- to five-year life.

The sensors are connected via NBIoT (NarrowBand Internet of Things) which is a low-power wide area connectivity solution, specifically designed to enable IoT devices and services. NBIoT is supported by all major internet service providers in New Zealand as well as Australia.

TALK TO US! Michael Consolo | +613 9417 5777 michael.consolo@eyefi.com.au Ian Mayes | +64 2180 6443 ianmayes@madworld.co.nz

eyefigroup.com

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When every drop counts For over 90 years ADR has been there for New Zealand water authorities and Councils with our fieldsmart technology.

From metering to control systems to pump controllers, we offer insight and expertise in the technology that helps you manage water and waste water to a high standard, with resources that are always limited.

www.adriley.co.nz

ACCESS MANAGEMENT WATER NEW ZEALAND

Improving access management with smart locks Nick Mooyman, CEO and founder, Astute Access Water utilities face a number of significant challenges when it comes to managing and maintaining a network of sprawling infrastructure. One problem is the ongoing and dynamic nature of access management – the control of staff and contractors to specified parts of the infrastructure.

Adding to the complexity, these sites are often distributed over a large and remote geographical area.

The traditional approach has been to deploy a vast number of mechanical locks to secure important assets. This creates a requirement to cut and issue an even bigger number of physical keys. Over time it becomes increasingly more difficult to identify exactly who has a key, and for what reason it was issued to them in the first place.

Further, operations teams have absolutely no visibility of lock activity across their network. Granting or revoking access permissions often involves a large amount of administration to ensure staff and contractors are meeting at an agreed location to pick-up or drop-off these specific sets of keys.

Another common issue is that organisations lack a unified strategy when it comes to access management. Instead there’s typically a patchwork of legacy locking and access systems in use, from mechanical and basic electronic locks, to pin pads, to swipe cards and fobs. These systems are often managed by their own separate software, making the job that much harder for the operations teams who are desperately trying to manage a dynamically changing user base.

What is a smart lock and why?

A smart lock is a Bluetooth (BLE) enabled locking device that allows users to unlock/lock by sending secure wireless signals from a mobile application on their smartphone.

Smart locks come in various

formats (padlocks, door strikes, cabinet locks, etc.) and they are excellent at reducing or even eliminating the friction associated with requiring a physical medium to open a lock.

This keyless approach provides significantly increased efficiency (due to less travel to uplift keys), along with being able to remotely share access and cloud-based audit trail (real-time activity logs).

With smartphone subscriptions worldwide surpassing the six billion mark in 2020, the use of phones as a virtual key is now a very compelling alternative to physical hardware such as keys, swipe cards or fobs.

What to look for in a smart lock solution?

As with any technology decision, it’s important to be clear on the overall business objectives and choose a solution that best meets these requirements.

The following points are worth considering when analysing the major benefits and features of the technology to suit the needs of your organisation.

• Leverage existing mobile phones – this completely eliminates the need for physical keys, swipe cards, or fobs.

• Issue on-the-fly permissions/credentials – the user only has to open an app on their mobile phone, no other steps are required to gain access.

• Remotely revoke permissions. Admins can instantly revoke user permissions (no interaction with end user is required).

• Real-time audit trail. All lock and user activity is sent instantly to secure Cloud software.

• Smart lock agnostic software means you can connect a wide range of Bluetooth-enabled smart lock hardware onto a single software platform (web portal and mobile apps).

• Online and offline unlocking. This is important when accessing locks in areas outside of internet/cellular coverage.

• Flexible integration into third party software (REST API).

• Access to ecosystem of fully integrated smart lock devices.

• Local (and in-house) software development, DevOps and tech support teams.

The use of phones as a virtual key is now a very compelling alternative to physical hardware such as keys, swipe cards or fobs.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND ACCESS MANAGEMENT

Case study: Wellington Water

Wellington Water manages the Three Waters services for six local councils. Outside of Auckland, they are the largest body of expertise in water infrastructure services management in New Zealand.

One of the significant challenges faced when managing water services across six separate councils was the sheer number of physical keys required to access a large network of mechanical locks, which encompassed padlocks, cabinet locks, and door locks.

Wellington Water selected a locally-developed enterprise smart lock software platform, which integrates and unifies a number of market-leading Bluetooth locks. This end-to-end smart lock solution is currently being rolled out across the region and early feedback from staff and contractors has been very positive.

Wellington Water utilities planning engineer Paul Winstanley says, “Bluetooth locks are a great solution to consistently secure the organisation’s utilities assets into the future, with the ability to remove key management and actively be aware of when and who attends our sites at any time.

“We also value the ability to remotely manage access permissions of our sites from one platform.”

Right: Noke Padlock and LockVue Mobile App. Smart locks come in various formats (padlocks, door strikes, cabinet locks, etc.) and they are excellent at reducing or even eliminating the friction associated with requiring a physical medium to open a lock.

Below: Astute Access - Smart Lock Applications Infographic.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND HEALTH

Hidden hazard for outdoor workers When it comes to safety on the job site, there are many hazards to be aware of, but harmful UV rays, while not immediately obvious, are one of the biggest risks for outdoor workers.

People who work outside receive up to 10 times more ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure than indoor workers, putting them at high risk of developing skin cancer.

Cancer Society medical director Dr Kate Gregory says skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand.

“Unfortunately, many outdoor workers are not provided adequate shade or are not wearing adequate sun protection equipment even though these actions can make a real difference in reducing the risk of skin cancers.”

Waikanae-based builder and joiner Phil Morgan, 41, says he thinks about skin cancer regularly. As a sole trader and a solo dad of four young children, for Phil, looking after his health means looking after his family.

“Protecting my skin means protecting my livelihood and my family.”

Establishing his own company led to looking into his entitlements as a business owner and understanding what business purchases are tax-deductible.

“As I’m self-employed, it’s good to know that sun protection items are tax-deductible for outdoor workers.”

Phil has had skin checks in the past but hasn’t attended one for a while. He’s now conscious of the need to check his skin monthly and go to his GP if there are new spots or changes in the shape, colour or size of any existing spots or moles.

Kate says most skin cancers can be treated successfully if caught early.

“It is so important for everyone, particularly those spending large amounts of time outdoors to regularly check their skin. And remember that you cannot see or feel UV radiation – it can be harmful even on a cool or cloudy day.

“Because UV damage accumulates over time, we recommend that outdoor workers use sun protection year-round. Be particularly careful from September to April between the hours of 10am-4pm when UV levels are high.”

Information for employers

Employers have a duty of care to not put workers at risk from UV radiation under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015.

If UV radiation is identified as a potential hazard, employers must take steps to eliminate and minimise the risk, as far as is reasonably practicable.

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Here are some ways to reduce your workers’ exposure to UV radiation, as well as heat exhaustion.

Limit time working outside

If possible, move tasks inside or adjust work times to when UV radiation levels are lower, such as early morning or late afternoon.

Provide shade

Allow workers to do tasks under trees or other shaded areas, or put up temporary shade structures like an outdoor gazebo.

Remind staff to take breaks in shade whenever possible. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce overall UVR exposure.

Provide SunSmart personal protective equipment Depending on the requirements of your industry, sun-protective clothing could include: • a long-sleeved, collared shirt, ideally in a tight-weaved, dark fabric • a wide-brimmed hat or helmet with a peak and neck guard (legionnaire’s flap) • close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses that meet safety and sun protection standards (check the label).

Provide sunscreen

Ensure easy access to a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30. Ensure sunscreen is within its expiry date and not stored anywhere too hot, like a car glovebox. Provide a cooler bag with an icepack for transport in cars.

Remind employees to be SunSmart

Regularly talk to your employees about being safe when working outdoors, including the application and re-application of sunscreen.

Encourage skin checks for early detection of skin cancers Workers find it hard to take time off, so be a proactive boss and talk to staff about how to make it work for you and your employees to get their skin checked by a doctor. Encourage your employees to undertake regular self-checks by talking about it and providing information.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL

Lake water utilisation for heat pump technology Centre Patronal has invested in a promising environmental technology to help it move closer to carbon neutrality – by using the deep water from Lake Geneva, it is now possible to heat and cool the centre’s buildings in an environmentally friendly way.

Centre Patronal is a Swiss employers’ organisation that offers businesses a range of services from insurance to education, to advice, to network opportunities, as well as representing the interests of its members on a political level. The organisation is based in Lausanne, a city on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Lake Geneva is located on the border between Switzerland and France and is the largest lake in both countries. Its deepest point, 310 metres, is in front of the city of Lausanne. Earlier this year, Centre Patronal invested in a new facility that uses the water of Lake Geneva to cool and heat its buildings. To do this, deep water is drawn in, heated or cooled with heat pump technology, and returned to the lake after use.

The principle of using water is straightforward: a heat pump is used to extract energy from the water, which is raised to a higher usable temperature through compression. In the process, a multiple of the electrical power used for the heat pump is generated as heat and the energy required for heating is reduced by up to 50 percent.

Lakes and large rivers provide gigantic heat reservoirs that

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have hardly been used to date. Even a frozen lake can provide environmentally friendly heating energy in the depths of winter.

The principle of the heat pump can also be used for cooling, thus eliminating the need for power-hungry air-conditioning systems.

AGRU Kunststofftechnik supplied 800 running metres of pipelines made of the high-performance plastic PE 100-RC for the project, along with special parts, such as six-metre-high sweep bends, which are characterised by very low flow resistance.

Hydrokarst Swiss, which was commissioned with the installation, welded the pipes into inlet and outlet pipes in the delta of the Rhone River, which flows through the lake. Then the ready-assembled pipeline was provided with concrete ballast and pulled 20 kilometres across the water’s surface to the project site.

The pipeline was then flooded to allow it to sink. In order to avoid kinks, the divers lowered the pipelines in an S-shaped curve down to a depth of 80 metres. There, the temperature is almost constant between four and eight degrees Celsius all year around, which is ideal for operating a heat pump.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: HYDROKARST SWISS

Left: AGRU supplied sweep bends for the seawater intake pipe. Top: The pre-assembled pipeline was towed 20 km across Lake Geneva to the site.

Above: The pipeline was carefully flooded and lowered to a depth of 80 m in an S-shaped curve.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA

Saving Melbourne’s platypus

with smart water storage South East Water, Melbourne Water, the University of Melbourne, and Yarra Ranges Council are collaborating on a project that harnesses smart rainwater tanks and urban lakes to provide water to platypus habitat at a critical time - the lead up to the breeding season. The project team shares the details.

The platypus is a remarkable creature. While famous for being one of only two egg-laying mammals in the world, its babies don’t hatch fully formed like many reptiles. Instead, they hatch blind, hairless and helpless – needing mum’s constant care and a good supply of milk to survive.

Like all mothers, platypus need to be fit, healthy and well-fed to give their offspring the best possible chance in life. Once common in Melbourne and its surrounds, stresses arising from habitat loss and modification have resulted in a steady decline of platypus numbers over recent years.

A new project aims to reverse this decline through a novel system of ‘smart’ rainwater tanks and urban lakes that can provide crucial water to platypus habitats when it’s needed most – leading up to the breeding season.

Platypus have disappeared from many urban areas, but some small populations still exist across Melbourne, including the Yarra Ranges.

While direct modification to stream channels (for example, to stop erosion or to protect against flooding) impact platypus habitats, another significant threat comes from changes in natural streamflow, which is typical in urban streams. For example, runoff from impervious surfaces (like roads, roofs, and car parks) causes the erosion of waterways – reducing the diversity and quality of habitats for platypus and also results in a degradation of instream water quality.

Not only does urban runoff contain pollutants that may affect the platypus directly, but the contamination can also reduce the availability of its primary food source, macroinvertebrates or bugs.

While stormwater runoff massively increases the frequency and magnitude of flow rates in waterways during and immediately after rainfall, degrading the stream channel, most of this water flows directly into and down our creeks and rivers – rather than soaking into the ground and recharging the groundwater.

With less groundwater feeding the stream during dry weather, stream baseflows (or dry-weather flows) will often be lower, particularly during summer and autumn.

This loss of summer and autumn baseflow has major consequences for the platypus’ distribution and reproductive success, decreasing their habitat and their primary food source right at the time when the female platypus need abundant nourishment to prepare them for breeding.

The team, comprised from the Waterways Ecosystem Research Group at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Ranges Council, have developed a novel approach to protect the remnant population of platypus in Monbulk Creek in Melbourne’s outer east.

This is the last remaining population of platypus in the Dandenong

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Creek catchment and identified in the Melbourne Water Healthy Waterways Strategy as being at risk under climate change.

Using new real-time control technology developed by South East Water’s technology division, IoTA, a network of smart rainwater tanks will be created and deployed around the Monbulk Creek catchment, in collaboration with the council, householders and local businesses.

In the trial, householders will be offered a smart rainwater tank at no charge, equipped with the ‘Tank Talk’ controller. The controller uses a mechanical valve connected to a control box that receives data twice daily from the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest rainfall and weather forecasts.

As well as benefiting platypus, the provision of a more natural flow regime through water releases and the capture of urban stormwater in rainwater tanks is expected to benefit the health of Monbulk Creek more broadly and reduce localised flooding.

The smart tank has several benefits: 1. Supply water to the house, as with any rainwater tank; 2. Release water to the stormwater network before rain events. (This then gives the tank capacity to absorb peak flow rates during rain, reducing the risk of flooding); 3. Release a steady trickle of water to the creek during dry periods, to sustain flows for the local platypus population.

The team will construct a smart network, in which each of the rainwater tanks is able to ‘talk’ to the others, coordinating their releases to provide the maximum benefit for the platypus population, while also ensuring each tank has enough water to meet the needs of households, for uses like toilet flushing, washing machines and garden watering.

A proposed smart network to provide environmental flows for platypus in the Monbulk Creek, numbers represent suggested monitoring sites.

Graphic supplied by Mats Bjorklund, magipics.

The smart network will also incorporate two reservoirs: Belgrave Lake (managed by Yarra Ranges Council), and Monbulk Creek Retarding Basin at Birdsland Reserve (managed by Melbourne Water).

These large storages will give us a greater ability to regulate the flows provided to the platypus population.

For example, a single, targeted environmental flow could be released from one of these storages, with subsequent releases from upstream rainwater tanks to refill them over the following week.

The study will measure how effective the smart-tank network is in improving the hydrology of Monbulk Creek, and how effective the increased baseflow is in increasing the area of the stream channel that is submerged in water – what is called a “wetted habitat” – which is crucial to the survival of the platypus population.

It will also quantify the ecological response, measuring the amount and diversity of macroinvertebrates (platypus prey), and use eDNA (environmental DNA) to get a comprehensive idea of the range of organisms living in the creek, including the platypus, fish, and crustaceans.

Using this new real-time control technology across a smarttank grid opens a whole range of possibilities to deliver more sustainable management of the water cycle in urban areas.

The technology can also augment household water supply and help to reduce the risk of flooding while delivering flows that help

urban waterways remain in a more natural and healthy condition.

The team also says, just as the advent of solar panels has ‘democratised’ the generation and supply of electricity, the creation of smart-tanks could allow individual householders to become both consumers and suppliers of water and, perhaps one day, be financially rewarded for their contributions.

Future cities that use rainwater and stormwater as a much more significant supplementary water source will be better able to adapt to climate change – for example, by providing irrigation of street trees and urban green spaces.

Maximising the use of stormwater as a water resource will also reduce the need for the transfer of water from rural regions to support the growth of urban areas and indirectly support the water economies and health of rural economies.

There’s a rapidly growing global demand for smart water technology, offering the potential for this system to be developed into a lucrative export market. Developing a market like this in Australia would not only help its native animals, but help boost Australia’s reputation as a leader in water technologies.

By Professor Tim Fletcher, Dr Matthew Burns, Dr Stephanie Lavau, Associate Professor Christopher Walsh and Dr Kathy Russell, University of Melbourne; Dr Beth Wallis, Yarra Ranges Council; Dr Rhys Coleman, Melbourne Water and Dr David Bergman, South East Water.

This article was first published on Pursuit. Read the original article at bit.ly/3o7iaAW NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 WATER NEW ZEALAND

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PACIFIC WATER NEW ZEALAND

A gift of clean water

However, spare a thought for those who have it even worse.

Oxfam works with some of the most vulnerable people in the world; people who don’t have access to clean safe drinking water, proper sanitation and don’t have the ability to social distance to keep themselves safe. As Kiwis, it is hard to deny how lucky we are to be able to live in a country where we are safe, secure and for the most part – pretty happy, despite our hardships.

Around the world natural and human-made disasters force millions of people to flee their homes and leave everything behind. Many arrive in refugee camps with only the clothes they are wearing. Some of the work that Oxfam does is to make sure that refugees and others affected have clean water to drink and wash themselves.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: JULIAN BRAATVEDT_OXFAM.

This year has been a tough year for many of us: Covid-19, lockdowns, extreme weather and floods, and other hardships have made it almost impossible to look forward to much at all.

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WATER NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC

In 2018, nearly a million Rohingya people sought refuge in Bangladesh and were living in severely crowded conditions in makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar. Making their situation even more vulnerable, the monsoon rains and possible cyclones that cause floods and landslides were on the way, along with an increased risk of being infected by deadly diseases like cholera.

Oxfam prepared for the threat posed by monsoon rains by working to prevent waste from escaping the latrines and distributing hygiene kits to minimise the spread of disease. It was ready to respond to potential catastrophic cyclones by positioning teams and supplies in the right places to be able to assess damage and provide support.

Oxfam provided vital aid including clean water to help prevent outbreaks of disease, and food vouchers which can be exchanged for fresh ingredients at local markets. The organisation helped people to stay healthy by installing water points, toilets and showers, distributing soap, and talking about good hygiene.

One of the families supported by Oxfam humanitarian work during this time was Rosina and her family. Rosina and her two daughters are Rohingya refugees, living in a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.

Rosina’s two daughters, Jesma aged 10 and eight-year-old Jainab, help their mother with running the household. The two young girls are responsible for collecting water each day for washing, bathing and cooking. Jesma shines with ambition and wants to be a doctor when she gets older.

Jesma reflects on when her family first arrived at the camp.

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“In my country, we had a nice house – better than our tent here but we were not allowed to go to school. We were afraid all the time.

Anyone from our family could be arrested or taken away. So, we used to cry a lot.

“When we first arrived here, we suffered from a lack of safe drinking water. We had to collect water from the canal as well as rainwater. After drinking this dirty water, we got diarrhoea. Now things are a bit better.”

Oxfam provided a water point near to Jesma’s home so she and her family could collect water for washing, bathing, and drinking easily and safely.

Mother Rosina says her main concern was with the water.

“Thanks to Oxfam, we have been provided with water and food. We can manage now.”

As Christmas rolls around this year, there is one way you can help a family like Rosina’s.

Oxfam Unwrapped is a unique collection of gift ideas that help you give something special to your friends or family, while supporting someone in need.

Some of the gifts include safe water, training for a farmer to grow resilient crops, and sanitation packs, but there are many more.

Once purchased, your friends and family will receive a card detailing the present you bought them, and your donation goes to those who need it most. Your gift could go towards a family like Rosina’s for renewed hope and a chance of a better future.

Head to Unwrapped to see the full range of great cards that will make a difference: www.oxfam.org.nz/unwrapped. Your donation is eligible for a tax rebate from the IRD.

CIWEM HAS A NETWORK OPERATING IN NEW ZEALAND. It is the only Royal Chartered professional body dedicated to water and the environment sector.

If you’d like to explore how to become a chartered professional in NZ go to:

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The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management

Contact Dan Stevens: dan.stevens@beca.com or Peter.Brooks@greenscenenz.com

Wayne Telfer General Manager

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WATER NEW ZEALAND ADVERTISER'S INDEX

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March Construction ������������������������������������������������������� 54

Australasia Moulding Ltd �����������������������������������������100

CKL ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42

Pattle Delamore Partners ��������������������������������������������56

Backflow Prevention ����������������������������������������������������� 101

CSL Cuthbert Stewart Ltd ������������������������������������������39

Promains ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������72

CIWEM ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 101

CTEK Combined Technologies �������������������������������� 19

Promax ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 09

Conhur ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 101

Deeco Services Ltd ��������������������������������������������������������IFC

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Detection Solutions ������������������������������������������������������� 101

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Reliant Solutions ��������������������������������������������������������������� 31

Ecological Technologies ��������������������������������������������� 101

Detection Services ����������������������������������������������������������� 81

Shuk �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25

Huerner Welding Technology Ltd ������������������������� 101

Environment Products Int Ltd ����������������������������25,51

Smith and Loveless ���������������������������������������������������������77

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EYEfi Group Technologies Inc. ����������������������������������87

Stormwater 360 ���������������������������������������������������������������� 68

Jonassen Industrial Projects Ltd �������������������������� 102

GHD �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23

Suez ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 80

Pacific Technologies (NZ) Limited ���������������������� 102

Guaranteed Flow Systems ���������������������������������������� 49

Swan ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������53

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E: info@jipl.co.nz

www.jipl.co.nz

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102 www.waternz.org.nz

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We are a recognised world leader in the manufacture, supply and service of pumping, mixers, UV disinfection, disc aeration treatment and analytical measurement solutions.

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We are the largest pure-play water company in the world.

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