Councils all over New Zealand are working out the best way to look after drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services for generations to come.

They have to choose between at least two options. One option is to keep managing water services themselves but make some big changes so their water services are separated from other council activity.

The other option is transferring responsibility to a company (called a council-controlled organisation, or CCO) that they either own themselves, own together with other councils, or owned by a consumer trust.

If councils stay with delivering water services on their own, they’ll need to make a lot of changes to meet new rules. Teaming up with other councils gives a real opportunity to create cost savings and other benefits - such as good career pathways for people in the water industry and being more attractive for contractors to do business with. Like any big decision, there will be advantages and disadvantages for both options.

Councils are currently evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of the options and will bring those back to the community for feedback in the next few months (while also making the analysis of the other option publicly available).

Whatever decision Council makes will affect everyone, so now is a good time to learn more - find out more or sign up for updates at mpdc.nz/waterdonewell