The Water Services Managers’ Group (WSMG) is made up 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. This group was formed by a merger of the Water Supply Managers’ and Drainage Managers’ Groups in November 2007.

Management committee

The WSMG Management Committee for 2009 is:

• Justin Reid, Southland District Council (Chair)
• Brent Manning, New Plymouth District Council
• Peterson Asanti, Manawatu District Council
• Eric Cawte, Rotorua District Council
• Shantha Kumar, Rodney District Council

Objectives

Major aims of the group include:

• To promote a forum for the collection, sharing and debate of information on all matters relating to the management and operation of public water supply and wastewater treatment and disposal systems.
• To promote the advancement of the operation and management of these assets to improve the quality of service to customers, protect the environment and optimise the sustained use of these assets.
• To provide funding and undertaking of research projects in areas of common need and interest to members.
• To promote the development of industry standards and policies.
• To focus on the delivery of high quality water and wastewater services in a reliable, sustainable and cost-effective manner.
• To disseminate information relating to water supply and drainage management issues and provide a forum for discussion.
• To develop and maintain a set of national industry standards and policies.
• To act as an advocate to promote the interests and needs of water and drainage management by the proactive maintenance of formal lines of communication with all sectors of government and the industry through the Association.

Membership

Membership of the group is available to one representative of any Territorial Authority or its agent having the role of managing water services and assets or wastewater services and assets and specifying the level of service received by customers. Members of the WSMG must be a Corporate Member of Water New Zealand and pay the membership fee to belong to the Group and the levy as per the Group's rules. In addition, the bulk water supply providers of the Auckland and Wellington regions shall be eligible for membership. Members pay an annual membership fee and project levy based on population census.

Meetings

Meetings are held approximately six monthly, in mid/late April and October.
Next meeting: 29-30 April, Napier