Alan Taylor: Three waters - a disaster in the pipeline?
15 Apr, 2021 05:00 PM
5 minutes to read
OPINION
Central government s hasty intention to reform the delivery of water services seriously threatens New Zealand s local democracy, writes Whanganui district councillor Alan Taylor. Councils in New Zealand have been struggling with installing and maintaining satisfactory drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services and have failed to adequately invest in these.
Waikouaiti s recent lead contamination and the Havelock North 2016 campylobacter poisonings have Central Government focused on water infrastructure problems encouraging this headstrong drive for reform.
Presented as a problem of capacity, expertise, operational inadequacy and small scale, it is really none of these.
Source: New Zealand Government
Major water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.
Former Director General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai.
“Dame Karen brings considerable experience in governance and management as Director General of Health and Chief Executive of NZQA, as well as her crucial experience as a member of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry panel,” Nanaia Mahuta said.
“This tragic water contamination incident was a major driver for legislation, including the establishment of an independent regulator, to assure safer drinking water and more efficient wastewater and stormwater networks for New Zealanders.”