Local Government Minister says it could cost billions to keep water safe

Preventing another contamination issue similar to what occurred in Havelock North in 2016 could cost billions, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says.

Speaking at Water New Zealand's annual conference in Hamilton, Mahuta said that cost burden will fall most heavily on small provincial towns.

"The burden on smaller councils, particularly those with declining rating bases to meet safety standards and consumer expectations, environmental performance and realistic affordable costs starts to look very challenging."  Read more