The focus of Local Water Done Well is on Councils voluntarily working regionally on what future water service solutions could be for them. Local Water Done Well is the Coalition Government’s plan to address Aotearoa New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges. It replaces the previous government's Three Waters Reform programme but seeks to achieve similar water outcomes.

Key components of Local Water Done Well include:

• Fit-for-purpose service delivery models and financing tools ensuring water services are financially sustainable.
• Introducing greater central government oversight, economic and quality regulation.
• Local Water Done Well is being implemented in three stages, each with its own piece of legislation:
• Repeal of previous water services legislation.
• Establish framework and preliminary arrangements for the new water services system.
• Establish enduring settings.

Three waters across New Zealand are under strain.

An outbreak of gastroenteritis in Havelock North in August 2016, resulted in four associated deaths and an estimated 5000 people getting sick. The subsequent Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water identified 51 recommendations to address failings in the delivery, compliance, monitoring and enforcement of drinking water in New Zealand.

At the same time, the 'Three Waters Review' commissioned by the Government in mid-2017 found similar issues across the drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems. This review also raised broader questions about the effectiveness of the currently regulations for the three waters, and the capability and sustainability of water service providers.

All New Zealanders deserve safe, reliable and affordable water services that support good health and sustainable environmental outcomes.

The government have identified the following issues across NZ:

• There are risks to human health and the environment in parts of the country.
• There is evidence of inadequate levels of central and local government compliance, monitoring and enforcement in some places.
• There are capacity and capability issues relating to asset management and governance of water infrastructure and/or services.
• There are funding and affordability challenges in some areas – driven by a range of factors, including
  • community expectations/aspirations and regulatory requirements relating to water quality, treatment and management
  • a need to replace aging infrastructure
  • increasing demand for water infrastructure in high-growth areas
  • declining numbers of ratepayers in areas with falling populations
  • high seasonal demand on water services due to tourism
  • providing additional affordable housing and development capacity
  • protecting freshwater and marine environments
  • shoring up three waters systems against climate change and natural hazards
  • delivering regional economic growth

Under the Government’s Local Waters Done Well legislation, all councils across New Zealand must produce a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) by 3 September 2025.

The plans are a ‘one off’ way for councils to reflect on their current approach to the delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services and demonstrate their commitment to a future model that is financially sustainable and meets quality standards.

Water Services Delivery Plans:

• Must include detailed information about water services operations, assets, revenue, expenditure, pricing, future capital expenditure, and how Councils plan to finance and deliver their preferred delivery model.
• Are for a minimum ten-year timeframe but can be up to 30-years. The first three-years must be in detail.
• Must demonstrate how the water services will be financially sustainable by June 2028. Financial sustainability means water services revenue is sufficient to meet the costs of delivering water services.

Waikato Waters Done Well is a project that has been underway for the last 18 months at the request of the Waikato Joint Mayors and Iwi Chairs Forum (Forum).

It currently involves all councils across the Waikato region (excluding Hamilton City) working together to see how a regional water council-controlled organisation (CCO) could deliver water services in a way that achieves agreed strategic outcomes. Hamilton City Council was involved until September when it resolved to no longer participate.

Rural and small suppliers will have three years from the enactment of the Water Services Bill to carry out an assessment and put measures in place to ensure safe drinking water.

Depending on the number of locations supplied, the changes could be as simple as putting a UV filter on their water system or adding chlorine before water reaches the taps.

Our options will be presented to the community for feedback in early 2025 before making any decisions on the future of our water services.

While each council has its own challenges, there are some common challenges across the country including ageing infrastructure, population growth, climate change, and natural disasters.

Estimates show that New Zealand needs to spend between $120 billion and $185 billion on water infrastructure over the next 30 years. This is likely to be unaffordable for ratepayers unless we do things differently.

Most Councils already have significant investment in their three water networks underway to comply with tougher regulations that have been introduced in recent years. But this creates its own challenges, with high demand for staff, suppliers and contractors. With these in short supply, it’s likely that some councils won’t be able to deliver their projects within their planned time frames.