We’re here at Claudelands – at our second conference in a fortnight! Don’t forget to vote in our photo competition and check out new professional development and learning opportunities.
Member ID
:Person_membershipcode1:
Category
:MembershipClass_Name:
Latest Updates
The Water New Zealand Conference and Expo is finally underway! It's Day 2 and it's been fantastic to be able to welcome all our speakers, exhibitors and delegates to Kirikiriroa Hamilton. There's been so many inspiring presentations - Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta updating us on the reforms, a fabulous presentation on Te Mana o te awa o Waikato from Chief Executive of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato Inc (Waikato-Tainui), plus many more.
We're looking forward to tonight's Downer gala dinner where we celebrate outstanding contributions to our sector - so keep a look out to see who's been acknowledged in this year's coveted awards.
Last week's Stormwater Conference - a big thank you
We finally got there and what a great celebration - our first major get together for 2022! Thank you to everyone who helped make our first big event of the year such a success. There are so many of you - speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and delegates as well as the conference committee, our board, staff and Avenues event management team.
A huge congratulations to all our award winners - your valuable contributions to the sector are very much appreciated.
Water New Zealand Stormwater Poster of the Year - Stephanie Patchett from University of Canterbury Tonkin + Taylor Paper of the Year - Mark Groves, Mark Hansen and Francesco Martin from WSP Beca Young Stormwater Professional of the Year - Richard Wilson from Tonkin + Taylor Aurecon Stormwater Professional of the Year - Nick Brown from Auckland Council WSP Innovation Showcase Award - Mike Hannahfrom Stormwater360
Rain radar improves understanding of shallow landslide occurrence
Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research continues to develop and apply quantitative approaches to better understand factors influencing the occurrence of rainfall-initiated shallow landslides as part of the Smarter Targeting of Erosion Control (STEC) MBIE research programme.
The Government is seeking feedback on the first of its National Adaptation Plans aimed at minimising the impacts of climate change.
The plan outlines the actions the Government will take over the next six years to respond to the priority climate-related risks identified in the 2020 National Climate Change Risk Assessment. It outlines proposals for flood insurance and managed retreat policies.
Consultation will close on 3 June. Water New Zealand will be responding to the draft plan. If you would like to contribute to our submission please email Lesley.smith@waternz.org.nz.
Don't forget to vote - Water New Zealand Photo Competition
It's time to vote for your favourite water photo - take a look at this year's fantastic entries then choose which one you think should be the winner of the Water New Zealand Photo Competition for 2022. Voting is permitted on multiple photos but you can only vote once per Facebook user and IP address.
2022 Building Code update - plumbing and drainage proposals
MBIE is consulting on proposed changes to building code compliance.
The proposed changes for plumbing and drainage include looking to limit the allowable lead content in certain plumbing products, reducing the risk of hot water scalding injuries, and protecting potable water supplies.
The consultation will run until Friday 1 July 2022.
Crown Infrastructure Partners has released an RFP seeking suitably qualified and experienced services providers to deliver a $30m rural drinking water programme aimed at improving the long-term quality of rural drinking water across New Zealand.
The programme is intended to serve marae, papakāinga and other rural communities not able to be connected to council-owned drinking water supplies as well as improve the capacity and capability of water treatment plant installers, operators and maintainers in rural areas.
The RFP (GETS RFx ID: 25708142, "Rural Drinking Water Programme" is open now. It closes at 5pm on Friday, 3 June 2022.
Industry News
World first flushability standard big step towards preventing blockages
New Zealanders will now be able to identify products that are safe to flush following the publication of new Australian-New Zealand flushability standards.
Water New Zealand, with the backing of New Zealand water utilities, has been working with our Australian counterparts, WSAA (Water Services Association of Australia), water utilities as well as some manufacturers for the past three years to develop an agreed and enforceable flushability standard.
Water New Zealand will hold a webinar in June (dates to be confirmed) for the sector to discuss the implications of this development. Please keep an eye on our website for further information.
Conference coverage
Waters industry urged to help shape final detail of Three Waters reform
Water industry players have been urged to stay closely engaged with the legislative process for enabling the controversial Three Waters reforms, which will set up four big entities to run water services.
Local Govt minister Nanaia Mahuta dispels 'mistruths' about three waters
Local Government minister Nanaia Mahuta has taken a moment during a Christchurch speech to “dispel some mistruths” about the controversial three waters reforms she is leading.
Mahuta gave a keynote address and hosted a short Q&A at Water New Zealand’s Stormwater conference in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Māori communities missing out on water infrastructure
Prof Te Maire Tau, co-chair, Te Kura Taka Pini, Ngāi Tahu Freshwater Management, told an audience at the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch that Māori communities have been missing out on basic water infrastructure and this has been stymying economic development.
Professor Tau was one of the keynote speakers at the conference. Listen to the interview on Radio Waatea.
The Chartered Professional Engineer mark relies heavily upon an engineer understanding and staying within their bounds of competence. But how do you know what you don’t know?
Engineering Practice Manager at Engineering New Zealand, Martin Pratchett and Water New Zealand's Training Development Manager, Mumtaz Parker and have produced a report aimed at helping engineers to understand, and to work within, their bounds of competence.
Water New Zealand's Backflow Group Chair Paul van den Berg discusses the new regulatory Backflow Rules with Taumata Arowai's Jim Graham. They'll be joined by Tauranga City Council's Brian Brown and Watercare's Jim McGibbon who will showcase the different approaches from both a customer and water supply-own device.
This is a fully online course designed to assist you with a basic understanding of stormwater and the people and processes involved. By the end of this course you will have a basic understanding of stormwater in New Zealand, understand the history of stormwater, what’s happening in the stormwater environment and get an overview of some of the roles in stormwater.
The course has been structured into a combination of reading, videos, resources and activities for you to complete over a four-week period at times that suit you. It involves four to six hours time commitment.
Registrations close: 31 May 2022
Find out more and register
Drinking Water 101 Digital Badge
6 June - 4 July
Online
This is a fully online course designed to assist you with a basic understanding of drinking water and all the people and processes involved prior to it reaching your tap.
The course has been structured into a combination of reading, videos, resources and activities for you to complete over a four-week period at times that suit you. It involves four to six hours time commitment. Registrations close: 25 May 2022.
Registrations close: 4 June 2022
Find out more and register
Perspectives on Data - A Water Break to the Regulator
8 June | 10 - 11 am
Online
Listen to perspectives on how data is gathered, used and interpreted across the water industry.
Hugh Blake-Manson will be facilitating. He will be joined by other members of the Smart Water Infrastructure Group.
Find out more and register
Wastewater 101 Digital Badge
8 June - 6 July 2022
Online
This is a fully online course designed to assist you with a basic understanding of wastewater and the components relating to wastewater disposal and the impact on communities and the environment.
By the end of this course you will have a basic understanding of wastewater in Aotearoa New Zealand, understand what happens beyond flushing the toilet, have an understanding of what wastewater treatment plants do and get an overview of some of the roles in wastewater.
These are a great way for us to informally catch up with members and keep you up to date with the latest happenings. They’re also an opportunity for you to ask questions and tell us what you think.
Register your interest and you’ll receive a confirmation email that will contain all calendar invites for this year's sessions. Don't worry if you can’t attend them all. We’ll be recording them so you can watch later.
Taumata Arowai are holding their third webinar for whānau, hapū and iwi. You’ll hear an update on their engagements and conversations with small Māori water suppliers across the motu.
Cultural Significance and Importance of Wai Module
14 June | 9 am - 12 pm
Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland
This module is designed to help you deepen your collective understanding of connections and interdependencies of wai (water) through a Te Ao Māori lens. It begins with a half day face to face discussion followed by six zoom sessions.
Find out more and register
Backflow 101 Digital Badge
8 June - 6 July
Online
This is our latest digital badge. It will give you a basic understanding of backflow - what it is, its history, regulations, best practice and how to prevent backflow. The course has been structured into a combination of reading, videos, resources and activities for you to complete over a 4 week period at times that suit you.
The Australian Water Association and International Water Association Young Water Professionals Conference will bring together tomorrow’s leaders to explore how they can leave their mark on our Water Future.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Young Water Professionals to showcase their contributions, plan and inspire change among industry leaders and their peers. Click on the registration button to go directly to conference webpage where you can download the program and view the abstracts.
This role involves the operation and maintenance of the Council’s water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants and pump stations throughout the district.
This role involves the operation and maintenance of the Council’s water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants and pump stations throughout the district.
We are looking for an experienced Team Leader (3 Waters Plant Operations) who has extensive knowledge managing people, resources and industrial plant processes.
The role works in the Utilities department of Pulp which manages and operates a modern thermal generation plant alongside a steam turbine generator, fresh water and wastewater treatment plants.
Ensure the wastewater effluent quality from all TDC’s wastewater treatment plants/land disposal sites meet resource consent requirements & plant is maintained to a high standard.
