News

Almost one-third of Manawatu¯ ’s drinking water supply needs immediate work to fix potential risks to public health, an independent report has found.

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Councils call for $200 million flood protection investment

Councils, calling for government help to invest in flood protection, are frustrated they've been sent back to bureaucrats for more talks.

They say a $200 million investment now would save lives and billions of dollars, and not doing so will leave communities across the country vulnerable.

RNZ political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

Read more

Urgent need to unlock Three Waters funding and certainty – Water New Zealand/ACE New Zealand survey

Two thirds of respondents in a Three Waters pulse survey have had contracts either paused, deferred or cancelled in the past six months.

The survey, conducted by Water New Zealand and ACE New Zealand, across the membership of the two organisations, represents almost 100 contractors, consultancies, suppliers and councils.

Read our media release

Water regulator warns crisis will repeat, demands plan from Wellington Water

The country’s water regulator says it’s not confident Wellington Water is doing enough to prevent another water crisis next summer.

In a letter to Wellington Water and the region’s five councils, Taumata Arowai chief executive Allan Prangnell asked Wellington Water to provide a plan that showed steps it would take to mitigate this shorter term risk.

Read the Post article

And the RNZ interview with Taumata Arowai head of regulatory, Steve Taylor  

Money down the drain: The high cost of leaking water pipes

Public Health experts have estimated that around $122 million each year is lost from council and water utilities' balance sheets across the country due to leaking water pipes. 

Read the briefing document

More than $1 billion in assets at risk from Thames flooding

Thames is going to come up against some “big costs” as it attempts to tackle shoreline protection.

Thames-Coromandel Mayor Len Salt said those costs needed to be assessed against the value of what’s at risk.

Read more

Wetlands appeal overturns most of couple’s convictions

A Kāpiti Coast couple have won a court battle about changes to “wetland” areas, that led to one of them being jailed.

Landowner Julie Crosbie​ and her partner, Adrian Neil Page​, were charged with offences between December 2019 and March 2021, alleging various forms of damage and interference with wetlands and breaching abatement notices.

Read more

Wellington's water crisis poses a threat to future growth

Wellington Water chair Nick Legget says Wellington Water needs a budget of $7.6 billion over the next 10 years but the councils only had $2.8b in their long-term plans.

Spending $7.6b sounds like a lot of money, but with Wellington Water saying the region needed to spend $30b over 30 years to get infrastructure up to scratch, it is only a drop in the bucket.

Read the Post article

Plea to safeguard urban soil as pressure for new housing grows

A new report has found greater protection is needed for soil in urban areas, highlighting the important role it plays in natural drainage during heavy rain and providing green spaces in cities.

Read more

Texas farmers claim company sold them PFAS-contaminated sludge that killed livestock

Two ranches also allege biosolids with ‘forever chemicals’ ruined crops, polluted drinking water and left their properties worthless.

Read more 

Council locking in freshwater regulations ahead of law change

The Taranaki Regional Council will try to embed Te Mana o te Wai into its new freshwater plan before the Government re-writes resource laws.

Read more

New dam rules under review

Federated Farmers and Irrigation New Zealand are urging government to amend dam safety legislation before it’s enforced.

The Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022 are due to come into effect from May, but farmers say the perceived risk is not worth the extra time and money it’ll cost them.

Read the Stuff article

Two years before 800 Lower Hutt homes adequately chlorinated

It will take two years to adequately chlorinate the water supply for 800 Lower Hutt homes, Wellington Water says.

Regulator Taumata Arowai increased the chlorine requirements for drinking water in November 2022.

Read the RNZ story

Wellington Water residual disinfection exemption application declined

The water services regulator Taumata Arowai recently declined a residual disinfection exemption application for Wellington Water’s Waterloo Drinking Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

Head of Regulatory, Steve Taylor said that the regulator had only one option given the clear requirements of the Water Services Act 2021.

Read more 

Leaking pipes, sickness and sinkholes: Our water woes will likely get worse

Lest you think water woes are confined to tainted taps in tiny towns, or leaks sprouting across Wellington, think again - in a worst-case scenario even parts of Auckland are just a couple of days away from no running water.

Read the Sunday Star Times report

Water meters identify major leaks, postpone New Plymouth District Council pump station upgrade

Installing water meters has allowed the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) to postpone a $4 million pump station upgrade for Urenui and Tikorangi in north Taranaki.

Read more

Meters, meters everywhere: water gets a rev-up

As the issue of water meters is put back on the agenda for many councils around the country, Water New Zealand says meters and volumetric charging are "a very important part of the toolkit to drive down water loss and improve water use efficiency”.

Read the Waikato Times report

Raglan wastewater discharge ‘a chronic problem’ with no short-term fix

Raglan locals sick of a wastewater discharge issue say it’s a “a chronic problem” with no short-term fix.

Read the Waikato Times story

Time ticking for Te Waikoropupū Springs

While it's some of the clearest water ever measured, it may not be for much longer.

Save Our Springs campaigner Kevin Moran is anxious about the spring's future.

Read the Newshub article

Auckland’s last-minute three waters change set to escape audit scrutiny

The 11th-hour reintroduction of water services into Auckland Council’s 10-year budget means an unaudited consultation or hidden rates shocks.

Read the Newsroom article

Water meters paying off for ratepayers – NPDC

Around half of New Plymouth District homes now have water meters, but the benefits are already flowing through for everyone.

This month the meters have had identified and helped to stop 463 cubic metres of water leakage a day, the equivalent of about 68 Olympic swimming pools a year.

Read more

Wellington set to bring in water meters, cuts to some services, to fix water network

Wellington City Council is planning to bring in water meters and cuts to some services and facilities to help pay for the city's failing water infrastructure.

Councillors held long talks today over how they'll stump up the more than $1 billion needed to repair thousands of leaky pipes.

See the Newshub story

Buller mayor says repeal of Three Waters will cause problems

Three Waters will be repealed by the end of next week, keeping water assets in councils' hands.

Local Government minister Simeon Brown says new legislation is coming, which will allow councils to deliver water infrastructure with more financial sustainability.

But Buller mayor Jamie Cleine says the move will cause problems for districts like his.

Listen to the RNZ interview

Simeon Brown on repealing Three Waters legislation

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is confident that local councils will be capable of developing financially stable plans for water infrastructure.

This after the government announced on Monday that the Three Waters legislation will be repealed by the end of next week.

Listen to the RNZ interview

Government sets up advisory group ahead of Three Waters repeal

The government plans to repeal Labour's Three Waters laws by the end of next week, and is setting up an advisory group ahead of passing two replacement pieces of legislation.

The repeal will disestablish the water entities, keeping water assets in councils' hands.

See the RNZ report 

This press release from the government sets out the government's agenda for Local Water Done Well, which will replace Labour's Three Waters/Affordable Water reforms:

Government advances Local Water Done Well

The Coalition Government is continuing work to restore council ownership and control of water assets by repealing Three Waters and appointing a Technical Advisory Group to provide expert advice on the implementation of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.

“The Government will pass a bill to repeal Labour’s divisive and unpopular Three Waters legislation by 23 February 2024 as part of our 100-day plan. This will restore continued local council ownership and control of water services, and responsibility for service delivery.

“Local Water Done Well will then be implemented by progressing two further bills through Parliament.

“The first bill will be passed by the middle of 2024 and will set out provisions relating to council service delivery plans and transitional economic regulation. It will also provide streamlined requirements for establishing council-controlled organisations under the Local Government Act 2002, enabling councils to start shifting the delivery of water services into more financially sustainable configurations should they wish to do so.

“A second bill to provide for the long-term replacement regime will be introduced in December 2024 and passed by the middle of 2025. This will set out provisions relating to long-term requirements for financial sustainability, provide for a complete economic regulation regime, and a new range of structural and financing tools, including a new type of financially independent council-controlled organisation.

“The second bill will also establish regulatory backstop powers, to be used when required to ensure effective delivery of financially sustainable or safe water services. In addition, it will also make necessary amendments to the water regulator’s legislation to ensure the regulatory framework is fit for purpose and workable for drinking water suppliers.

All legislation to support the implementation of Local Water Done Well is expected to be passed by mid-2025 – ahead of the local government elections in October 2025.

“Local Water Done Well recognises the importance of local decision making and flexibility for communities and councils to determine how their water services will be delivered in the future. We will do this while ensuring a strong emphasis on meeting rules for water quality and investment in infrastructure,” Mr Brown says.

“I have also established a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to contribute specialist and technical expertise to myself and the Department of Internal Affairs as we develop policy and legislation to implement Local Water Done Well.

“Leading experts in finance, infrastructure and local government will take on key roles as members of the TAG, marking an important step in the implementation of Local Water Done Well.

“The TAG will be focussed on providing advice and assurance on policy and legislative settings that will enable local councils to appropriately recover costs and access the long-term debt needed to fund the required investment in water infrastructure.”

Background information on Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Members:

Andreas Heuser (Chair), Managing Director at Castalia Limited. Andreas has a background in economic and policy projects specialising in energy sector strategy, water reform, and natural resource economics.

Raveen Jaduram, Director of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. Raveen has a background in water infrastructure, including six years as the Chief Executive of Watercare.

Wendy Walker, Chief Executive of Porirua City Council. Wendy has a background in local government, strategic planning, and public management.

Mark Reese, Partner at Chapman Tripp. Mark specialises in finance and infrastructure and has significant knowledge and experience across legal and financial aspects of project and asset financing.

Simon Weston, Chief Executive of Whangārei District Council. Simon has a strong background in infrastructure, construction and local government in the United Kingdom, Auckland, and Northland.



Govt called to pass policy stopping development in high-hazard areas

Forest & Bird is urging the government to pass a policy that would give councils more power to stop new development in high-risk areas.

The National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-making would require councils to evaluate the likelihood of a hazard such as floods, earthquakes, or landslips, when making planning decisions in a given area.

See the RNZ story

No bailing out water, says minister

Nationwide water metering and security over water assets are likely to be conditions of international financiers backing the new Government’s water services model, the minister is advised.

Read this report from the Newsroom's Jonathan Milne.

Council water spend unlikely to be enough to rid the city of chlorine

Despite spending $4.5 billion on Christchurch’s water infrastructure since the earthquakes, the city is still losing millions of litres of water a day and chlorine is likely to stay for years to come. 

Read this report from The Press

Infrastructure crisis looming large for our country’s councils

Routine sewage overflows, annual water restrictions, collapsing culverts and pipes, there is no escaping the fact that New Zealand is facing an infrastructure crisis.

After decades of neglect, when keeping local government property rates lowtook precedence over maintenance of vital networks, the reality of what lies ahead is now being felt by every council up and down the country.

Read the Stuff article

Minister advised to act urgently on local councils’ ‘significant financial stress’

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says he’s firming up new ways to fund water services for cash-strapped councils – many of which are in need of central government support.

Read the Newsroom article

Former Kāpiti mayor says ‘bite the bullet’ over meters

“This ludicrous plan will be redundant,” Waikanae Beach resident Brody McKenna predicted in a letter to The Dominion Post in October 2012 over proposals to bring in “unwanted” water meters at the Kāpiti Coast.

More than a decade later, as residents in nearby Porirua, the Hutt Valley and Wellington City scrambled to get emergency water tanks for looming water shortages, Kāpiti has its water supply well under control.

Read the Post report 

Need for consumer advocacy in water service delivery

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says there's a need for a conversation about consumer protection in water service delivery including the level of service customers can expect and how to get access to complaints schemes when things go wrong.

She says complaints schemes offer an option for customers when a deadlock is reached with utility providers such as electricity, gas and telecommunications. A similar regulatory mechanism is needed for water services.

See the TVNZ 1News item 






Independent report and recommendations on Wellington Water released

The independent review was initiated by a resolution of Wellington City Council’s Long-term Plan Finance and Performance Committee. Agreement was reached to increase $2.3 million in additional opex funding to WWL, contingent on the conducting a review of WWL to enhance efficiency, identify cost savings, and improve transparency and reporting.

Read the report and the executive summary.

Taumata Arowai grants first exemptions from drinking water rules

Taumata Arowai has granted the first residual disinfection exemption for Selwyn District Council’s Rakaia Huts drinking water supply and a general exemption for the Torrent Bay drinking water supply.

Read more

Govt under pressure to fix Wellington's water crisis

Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe says this has to be the year that central and local government work together to fix the long term under investment in infrastructure to develop a well defined, committed, and funded pipeline of work.

Listen to the interview with Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB.

West Coast facing urgent and costly water fix

If we have to do the full monty for all our little water supplies – treatment plants for everything with 200 users, for instance – we’d be bankrupt,” says Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine..

“Either regulator Taumata Arowai has to lower its standards and expectations or the Government has to fund the work."

Read the Newsroom article

Water infrastructure troubles – what needs to happen now

"The thing that keeps me positive is that we are having this conversation...and we now have a far better appreciation of how bad the problem is."

Water New Zealand's chief executive Gillian Blythe speaking on Newstalk ZB about the current water infrastructure crisis following decades of under-investment.

Listen to the interview


Podcast - What's behind NZ's water woes?

Our long term lack of investment in water infrastructure has created the perfect storm where aged, crumbling pipes have led to water restrictions in the capital and closed beaches in the country's biggest city.

Listen to Water New Zealand's CEO, Gillian Blythe, Gillian Blythe talking to Bernard Hickey about the why councils haven't invested enough and now the three waters legislation is about to be repealed, what needs to happen to fix infrastructure.

Dodgy water rules don’t wash with researcher

Hundreds of thousands of rural New Zealanders remain vulnerable to contamination in their drinking water, despite the formation of a body to provide oversight of water quality.

Research by University of Otago research fellow and freshwater expert Marnie Prickett highlights how, despite an inquiry into the 2016 Hawke’s Bay campylobacter outbreak, major holes remain in NZ’s drinking water standards and surveillance.

Read more

More water could be drawn from Hutt River to avoid Wellington’s shortage crisis

Emergency powers could be used to draw more water from the Hutt River and other sources to avoid a water shortage crisis in Wellington.

But an ecologist has warned this would come at the expense of freshwater species and the regional council says permission to draw more water would not be a fait accompli.

Read the Herald report

Wellington water shortage: State of emergency planned if restrictions fail

Authorities in Wellington have planned for a regional state of emergency if water levels get so low that suburbs run dry this summer.

The looming crisis has already prompted some residents to queue for hours to get their hands on emergency water tanks. Hutt City Council has reported it sold out of tanks in a matter of hours on Friday.

Read more

"If you don't invest, then it's just going to get worse, says Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe in response to Wellington's leaking pipes crisis.

New water pipe condition assessment tool

Everyone knows New Zealand’s water infrastructure is in a bad way, but we know almost nothing of the specifics – even how we use our water, says University of Canterbury’s Dr Derek Li.

Li and his colleague Professor Pedro Lee have received $360,000 of Marsden funding towards a second tranche of work developing a remote sonar system to track usage and the condition of the country’s water pipes.

Read more

The government needs to achieve real freshwater management outcomes

Opinion  The postponed freshwater plan December 2024 and review should be considered as an opportunity to ensure our freshwater management and the associated processes are sensible, effective and consistent across New Zealand.

Read Selva Selvarajah's view in the Otago Daily Times.

Plugging the leak in NZ’s water infrastructure

A UC research team has received $360,000 in Marsden funding to develop technology to assess and inform water use and infrastructure across New Zealand.

Read more

Need for emergency water storage in capital sinks in

The need for emergency water storage has sunk in for the capital’s residents who waited for hours for a new supply of 200-litre tanks to arrive at Wellington’s Tip Shop.

Read more

Lack of resources hampers iwi environmental input

A shortage of iwi environmental managers has created headaches for councils trying to obtain greater Māori input.

At a Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit (NRSBU) meeting last month, general manager regional sewerage and landfill Nathan Clarke said the unit hadn’t liaised with iwi as well as it would like, and there were “unfinished conversations”.

Read the Stuff article

NORTHLAND Troubled waters: Human waste flows through Hokianga locals' backyards, into harbour

uman waste is flowing right through Hokianga locals' backyards.

The Hokianga is New Zealand's fourth-largest harbour and for decades has been at the receiving end of multiple wastewater systems.

Read the Newshub story

Lake Ōmāpere: New deal to help save Northland’s largest lake

The health of Northland’s largest lake - Lake Ōmāpere - has been under threat for decades, but it’s hoped a new agreement will help restore its life force.

On December 21, Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Roto Ōmāpere (Lake Ōmāpere Trust) and Northland Regional Council signed an agreement to establish a formal, working relationship between the trust and the council.

Read more

Manawatū catchment project aims to better understand E coli

A collaborative project between DairyNZ, AgResearch and Manawatū’s Nguturoa Catchment Group will look at the best way to manage E coli in rural waterways.

Read more

South Wairarapa water restrictions in force, but more than 100 leaks remain

South Wairarapa residents has moved to level two water restrictions on Saturday, but the area has 103 leaks in the public water network.

Residents are expected to stop using sprinklers and irrigation systems under the restrictions as the area faces dry weather and increasing demand in water use.

Read more

Thousands of excess water bills remain unpaid

Thousands of Christchurch residents are yet to pay their excess water bills as the city council chases $680,000 in unpaid invoices.

Christchurch City Council started charging for excess water use in October 2022, with the first bills being sent out in late February last year.

Read The Press article

Government plans to inform councils on way forward

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says he's writing to mayors and council chief executives to inform them of the Government's decision on the way forward for three waters reform.

Meanwhile the Gore District Council predicts it will cost $465 million to upgrade its three waters infrastructure in the next 30 years, and may request a meeting with the new government about how to fund the work.

Read the Stuff story

Government's February 2024 repeal approach

The Government plans to introduce and pass legislation early next year to repeal the previous government's water services approach.

The Government’s bill makes the following changes: 

• All legislation relating to water services entities will be repealed (contained in the Water Services Entities Act 2022, Water Services Entities Amendment Act 2023, and Water Services Legislation Act 2023).  

• All previous legislation related to the provision of water services will be reinstated (including local government legislation). This will restore council ownership and control of water services, and responsibility for service delivery. 

• The Northland and Auckland Water Services Entity (the only entity that had been legally established under the Water Services Entities Act 2022) will be disestablished and any outstanding work on the entity’s set-up will cease.  

• Councils will need to add and integrate information about water services into their 2024 long-term plans. Some transitional support options will be available to assist councils in completing their long-term plans. Guidance has been shared directly with councils.

The repeal bill is the first part of the Government’s new approach to water services delivery, Local Water Done Well, which sets out its plan for addressing this country’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges.

The Government is addressing these challenges with an approach that recognises the importance of local decision making and flexibility for communities and councils to determine how their water services will be delivered in future. It will do this while ensuring a strong emphasis on meeting rules for water quality and investment in infrastructure. 

The repeal bill is expected to be introduced in February 2024 and enacted as soon as possible as part of the Government’s 100-day plan.   

Further details about the Government’s future plans for water services will be shared in early 2024.



Scientists' letter calls for freshwater protections to remain

Fifty freshwater experts and leaders from around New Zealand have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urging him not to touch the country's national freshwater policy.

The government announced on 14 December that "Cabinet has agreed to replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020".

Read the RNZ story and see the letter 

Government to repeal Three Waters legislation

Cabinet has agreed to introduce and pass legislation early next year that will repeal Three Waters legislation.

Read more

Central Interceptor project budget increase

High inflation resulting in increased labour and material costs are seeing a budget increase for our Central Interceptor project to continue construction of a giant wastewater tunnel from Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant to *Grey Lynn.

Read more

Housing construction may have to slow if Wellington Water’s woes not fixed

New housing developments around the Wellington region, even in areas such as Porirua where construction has been booming, are under threat without a massive increase in funding for Wellington Water.

Read more

NZ's water infrastructure - Can we ever be flushed with success?

TVNZ Re News journalist Baz Macdonald dives (literally) into what our water infrastructure is, the problems with it, and what has to be done to make sure we don’t end up drinking sheep turds or swimming in our own waste.

In this piece he questions how much people really know about our country's water infrastructure, despite the protest signs all over the country, and the multi-billion dollars needed to fix it.

See the story

Risk to hospitals, rest homes if Wellington runs out of water

Wellington Water is warning that if the region’s water runs dry, it cannot guarantee it will be able to prioritise the supply to hospitals and rest homes.

Read the Post article 

Queenstown's boil water notice lifted, compliance order met

Queenstown’s boil water notice has been lifted.

It was put in place in September after several cases of cryptosporidiosis were confirmed in the community.

Read more

Wellington water supply: Leaks and limits a focus as El Niño summer looms

The boss of Wellington Water is defending asking the public to think carefully about water usage, despite thousands of leaks being identified across the region.

There's a one-in-four chance the region will enter level four water restrictions this summer, meaning all outdoor water use would be banned and indoor use would be cut by half.

Find out more

A way through the disarray of new and old water reforms

New Plymouth Mayor, Neil Holdom Opinion: Water reform presents an early challenge for our new government and will financially impact every New Zealand household and business in perpetuity.

Read the article

Freshwater quality 'could go back decades' under new Govt plan

There are warnings that New Zealand’s freshwater quality could go back decades with a Government plan to roll back regulations.

Read the TVNZ story

Leaks could be the death-knell for Wellington

Wellington will “die” as a city if it does not fix its broken water infrastructure.

That’s the blunt message from economist Andrew Schoultz, in response to Wellington Water earlier this week saying the region needed to spend $1 billion a year, fixing infrastructure, for the next 30 years.

Read the Post article

Polluted waterways: New Zealand’s huge clean-up challenge revealed in report

Just as Kiwis get set to head to their favourite summer swimming holes, scientists have laid out the massive challenge New Zealand faces in cleaning up its polluted rivers and lakes.

Read the Herald story

List released of drinking water supplies without bacterial barriers and/or residual disinfection

Taumata Arowai has released a list of council and government drinking water supplies lacking a bacterial barrier and/or residual disinfection.

Find out more 

$30 billion and rising to fix Wellington’s water woes

Wellington Water has issued a dire warning it needs $30 billion to fix the region’s pipes, but councils say that rates are already going through the roof.

Read the Post story   

QLDC uses cheaper, less effective UV option in water quality 'quick fix'

The Queenstown Lakes District Council is banking on bringing all non-compliant water supplies across the district up to standard for a little less than $11 million.

Read more

Wellington City Council rejects water meters

Household water meters are at least half a decade away in Wellington city, with the council refusing to include installation in its draft long-term budget.

Read more

Aotea/Great Barrier Island: Fears invasive seaweed could cause environmental disaster

There are calls to make one of Auckland’s favourite getaway spots off-limits to boaties this summer, amid what threatens to be an environmental disaster for New Zealand.

Read more

Big rises in water charges and council credit downgrades

Wellington City Council is expected to be the first local authority in the spotlight as credit rating agency S&P Global warns today of the likelihood of council rating downgrades around the country.

Read the Newsroom article

Wellington businesses want clear, early communications on summer water restrictions

Wellington businesses are waiting on what water restrictions might mean for them this summer.

Wellington Water is currently working with emergency agencies to deal with potentially critically low water levels this summer.

Read the RNZ story

Sir Ashley Bloomfield's fluoridation orders unlawful, court rules

Orders to add fluoride to more than a dozen drinking water supplies have been ruled unlawful by the High Court, likely delaying plans for a significant expansion of fluoridation.

In July 2022, then Director-General of Health Sir Ashley Bloomfield directed 14 councils to fluoridate some or all of their drinking water supplies.

Read more

Queenstown cryptosporidium outbreak: Four more weeks of boiling water

Queenstown residents can expect to boil their water for about four more weeks as the local council works to protect the water supply from protozoa.

There have been 72 confirmed cases in the local outbreak, caused by cryptosporidium. Another 20 are suspected and two possible are under investigation.

See the RNZ story

Minister for Water needed to join dots

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe discuses the call for a Minister of Water with Wallace Chapman on RNZ's The Panel.

She says that water issues encompass many different government and social agencies and there's a need for a Ministerial overview to join the dots and advocate for water in Cabinet.


Listen to the discussion here
(starts at 2 min 20 sec)

Councils plead for clarity on water infrastructure reform

A new government is still to be formed, but councils around the country are urgently wanting direction on what will happen with new policy on water infrastructure.

Wellington Water estimates it would take a billion dollars a year, for the next 10 years, to fully deal with its beleaguered infrastructure. RNZ's Kathryn Ryan discussed one of the most challenging components of council financial planning with acting chief executive of Wellington Water, Tonia Haskell, New Plymouth Mayor and provincial chair of Local Government NZ Neil Holdom, and Alex Walker, LGNZ's rural chair.

Listen to the interview

Three Waters demise leaves towns high and dry

The change of government could put one flood-prone community’s water-infrastructure upgrade plans in jeopardy.

Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine says the imminent scrapping of Labour’s water reforms leaves his community between a rock and a hard place with no clear way out.

Read the Newsroom article

Why New Zealand needs a Water Minister

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says the current uncertainty in the water sector is impacting on staff and causing project delays.

She says there's a big need for continued investment as well as the establishment of a new Minister for Water to help navigate the many regulatory and legislative arrangements that impact on the sector.

Find out more and listen to the Stuff podcast - Note interview starts at 3 minutes 30.

Internal Affairs agrees collective pay deal for water bodies that may never exist

Up to 8000 in-demand water workers are being offered pay rises to stay, as Aussie recruiters take advantage of uncertainty over Three Waters reforms.

Read the Newsroom story

Three Waters assets to move to new council-owned companies

National wants to protect ratepayers from soaring bills by moving the drinking water, wastewater and some stormwater assets off council balance sheets – while avoiding compulsion or co-governance.

Read more

Biggest council water company needs new funding 'urgently' if Three Waters scrapped

Auckland Council’s water company says it would face “a significant funding challenge” if the Three Waters reforms are scrapped, and it doesn’t shift into the proposed northern entity on July 1 in 2024.

Read the Stuff story

Warning over looming water battle

National wants to ‘re-balance’ the way fresh water is managed

The National Party’s primary sector growth plan, released last month, said: “As part of the RMA [Resource Management Act] replacement programme, National will consider ways to rebalance Te Mana o te Wai to better reflect the interests of all water users.”

Read the newsroom article

What does National mean when it says it will ‘repeal Three Waters’? What’s the replacement? Industry worries

The Water NZ Conference and Expo began on Tuesday in the midst of a number of issues across the country related to underinvestment in water infrastructure or the effects of climate change will have into the future.

Troy Brockbank, is a board member of Water NZ. He told teaonews.co.nz the need for more investment into critical water infrastructure had been particularly highlighted in recent months, across the country.

Read the Te Ao News story

Water sector - "genuine" about Te Mana to Te Wai

Chief Executive of Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, Helmut Modlik spoke of the genuine commitment by the water sector towards Te Mana o te Wai and engagement with iwi after his keynote opening address to the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo 2023 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Listen to the interview on Radio Waatea

Erin Brockovich, scientists warn of fight for water quality

An American water warrior immortalised by Hollywood has told a New Zealand crowd that water problems are getting much worse.

But Erin Brockovich's message to a Water NZ industry conference is that communities can - and must - stand up and fight.

See the TVOne News story

Raw sewage spill - "worst Auckland environment event in half century"

Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe says we risk similar overflows in future unless we invest more in upgrading our ageing infrastructure.

See the Newshub story 

Council says Christchurch water safe to drink despite being non-compliant

It is unclear if a parasite barrier will be installed on an uncompliant water supply in Christchurch.

Water regulator Taumata Arowai last week wrote to the Christchurch City Council and 26 others which do not have protection against protozoa and other parasites on some of their supplies.

Read the RNZ report

First-of-kind pipes to reduce Auckland's carbon footprint, revive ageing water network

A new low-carbon stormwater pipe being installed today at the site of a sinkhole in central Auckland is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

Read the RNZ report

Flood risk reality arrives for thousands of city properties

City leaders will today begin grappling over whether to ban or severely limit new builds in places over concerns of flood risk to tens of thousands of Hamilton properties.

Read the Waikato Times story 

Waimakariri council loses bid for chlorine exemption

The last of Canterbury’s non-chlorinated public water supplies will soon be chlorinated after a decision by water regulator Taumata Arowai signalled the end of one council’s bid for exemption.

Read more

Taumata Arowai releases list of council suppliers without protozoa barriers and next steps

Taumata Arowai has today released a list of 27 councils that operate 84 drinking water supplies lacking a treatment barrier preventing protozoa from contaminating the water.

Read the media release

Several councils could face huge bills to get drinking water up to scratch

The national water regulator estimates hundreds of water treatment plants in New Zealand serving about 10 percent of the population do not have filters to keep protozoa out.

Several councils and government ministries could be facing bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to fit essential filters to their drinking water supplies in the wake of Queenstown's cryptosporidium gastro outbreak.

Listen to the Checkpoint interview

Climate change: Research on how increasing CO2 is affecting the Waikato River

The Waikato River is at the centre of a new multi-million-dollar programme aiming to reveal how increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are affecting rivers and lakes – and what that means environmentally, economically and socially.

Read more

Cryptosporidium outbreak: Taumata Arowai warns councils over new water filter laws

The national water regulator is not ruling out legal action against Queenstown Lakes District Council for the lack of barriersto filter out cryptosporidium.

Read the Herald story 

Queenstown businesses buying private filters as water crisis continues

As Queenstown businesses look to buying private filters as the water crisis continues, Water New Zealand's Noel Roberts warns there's "no cookie cutter fix" when it comes to water treatment and it's not a "set and forget" piece of kit. He says that without correct maintenance, filters can become "a bug farm".

"How much a system may cost will depend on how much water capacity is needed for a business to operate - a coffee shop will be able to make do with a cheaper set-up than a hotel with hundreds of rooms - and the price tag could range from a couple of thousand of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

Read more 

Making our drinking water safe

The more we know, the more it costs when it comes to delivering water. With new discoveries about bugs come new technologies to deal with them, and it often adds up to more than councils can afford.

Listen to the RNZ podcast

Water woes: It could have been us, says Mayor

After a week of water and weather woes resulting in Queenstown issuing a boil water notice, and both Naseby and Omakau residents asked to conserve water to prevent the same, Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan says this region has long made water quality standards a priority, but it is a long and costly process.

Read more

Cryptosporidium outbreak: Queenstown could face months of boiling water as officials work on fix

Residents in Queenstown could be boiling their water for months as officials grapple with a parasite outbreak of cryptosporidium.

Of the outbreak so far, Te Whatu Ora South has confirmed 30 cases, with other possible cases being investigated.

Read more

Queenstown residents told to boil water after sickness outbreak

Queenstown residents have been warned to boil their water or risk serious illness.

Residents and businesses in Queenstown and Frankton have been given a boil water notice on a public supply by the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) this afternoon.

Read the Herald story

Bigger incentives needed to fix our leaking infrastructure

As we head towards the election, tackling our long term under-investment in water infrastructure needs to remain a key focus.

Recently updated water loss guidelines have been developed to help councils tackle their leaking infrastructure. Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says cutting our excessive level of water wastage will become a vital tool in ensuring a sustainable water future.

The amount of water lost in water networks in Aotearoa New Zealand is eye-watering. More than the combined volume of water supplied to Wellington and Christchurch’s networks is lost in council water pipes on the way to its end use. Roughly one bucket of water is lost for every five that enter the networks.

This is only half of the story. It’s estimated that losses in private household pipes are often equivalent to the water lost on the council side. For example, reported estimates from Wellington Water show that Wellington City’s total water loss is 41 percent while Upper Hutt City’s reaches 52 percent.

Recognising the case for change, water experts around New Zealand have joined forces to update the guidelines for councils to reduce their water loss. A particular challenge when roughly only half of the country’s networks have meters.

You can’t manage what you cannot measure. Without a good understanding of how much water is being used in people’s homes and businesses it is difficult to make accurate assessments of how much water is being wasted, and importantly, where to target efforts.

With losses occurring in pipes buried far below ground, identification and rehabilitation of water leaks can be a costly business.

International experts have estimated the total costs of repairing our long term water infrastructure deficit could be as high as $120 to $185 billion over the next thirty years.

The flip side to this is that without leak repair, the ongoing operational and environmental costs begin to mount. Finding new water sources, and treating and distributing drinking water costs money, regardless of whether it is sent to an end user or leaks out on the way.

As well as leakage into the ground, worsening summer droughts caused by climate change will continue to result in less water returned to lakes and rivers. This leads to increased algal blooms and loss of aquatic habitat – also indicative of a wider picture where not enough priority or value is placed on the health and wellbeing of water.

The challenge water suppliers face in addressing leakage is in justifying the investment needed for investigations and repair. While changes have been made to resource management legislation, and an economic regulator of water services established, both will need to be carefully implemented if they are to meaningfully drive down our water losses.

With climate change expected to increase the length and intensity of droughts it is vital we take steps to shore up our water supplies. The Aotearoa New Zealand national climate change risk assessment ranked potable water supplies as our country’s most urgent climate risk.

Reducing water loss is a no regrets way to improve our resilience against drought. Reducing water losses avoids the need to build costly infrastructure, which in turn, further drives up emissions contributing to climate change.

With NIWA’s seasonal outlook signaling El Nino conditions, bringing above average chance of dry weather in the east and across much of the North Island, it is timely we start considering what steps we can all take to play our part to get through a potentially dry summer.

Householders have a role to play. If you are in a region with water meters, monitor your bills for unusual spikes in usage or gradual increases that could signal a water leak. If your meter still moves when you’re not using water, it is likely you have a leak.

All homeowners can regularly inspect for leaks, by keeping an eye out for dripping faucets, toilet cisterns, and keeping an eye out for pooling in the yard. Ensure hoses and irrigation systems are properly connected, do not leak and are turned off when not in use.

It’s clear that our water security future is a national debate. Long term certainty hinges on decisions we are make now, including the incentives to invest in infrastructure. Water suppliers will need certainty about the operating environment to help unlock the investment needed to tackle these challenging issues.

The Waterloss guidelines are available from the Water New Zealand website at www.waternz.org.nz/Resourcehub. The guide’s development was initiated by Water New Zealand’s Water Conservation Action Network, funded by the Water Service Managers Group and delivered by a consortium of consultants – Thomas Consultants Ltd as lead consultant (Richard Taylor), Water Cycle Consulting (Christine McCormack), BECA (Jon Reed), WSP (Dan Johnson) and Water Loss Research & Analysis Ltd (Allan Lambert).


Watercare names and shames worst Auckland suburbs for feeding fatbergs

Watercare has named five Auckland suburbs where too much oil and fat is being washed down drains.

Solidified fats cause pipes to block and sewage to overflow and the clean-up costs $6 million a year.

See the Newshub story

Locals question council plans to concrete over creek

A community group on Auckland's Te Atatu peninsula is questioning council plans to pour concrete and turn one of the last creeks in the area into a stormwater pipe.

Aging infrastructure and storms have exposed the urgent need to upgrade the city's pipes.

Read more

Forest & Bird calls for better river management on West Coast

Councils need to rethink the way they manage waterways to reduce the risk of devastating floods, Forest & Bird is warning.

The organisation's freshwater advocate Tom Kay spoke about its report, Making Room for Rivers, at a West Coast Regional Council meeting on 12 September.

Read more

Wellington faces highest level of water restrictions this summer

Two minute showers, one weekly load of laundry and no washing the car or watering the garden — this is the summer holiday facing the region.

Strict rules limiting water use are likely to come into effect over summer as Wellington balances increasing demand and dry weather.

Read the Post story

Water summit as region on brink of crisis

When it comes to Wellington’s water shortage, there is no shortage of suggested solutions.

Fix the leaky pipes, install water meters, build another dam; inevitably, one day, all of the above. But in what order?

Read the Stuff article

30 hectares of solar panels planned for Bell Island in wastewater deal

Bell Island could be a site of renewable energy generation if plans for a 30 megawatt solar array come to fruition.

Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit general manager regional sewerage and landfill Nathan Clarke said a 30 hectare facility was on the table for the island, with Infratec currently working through the specifics of the design, coastal hazards and resource consenting.

Read the Stuff article

Climate change challenges wastewater treatment plant

The effects of climate change are now impacting on Nelson-Tasman's wastewater treatment facility on Bell Island, with new land needing to be found for its long-term viability.

One of the immediate concerns for the facility - which serves Nelson City and Tasman communities as far as Wakefield and Māpua - is it being inundated with excess wastewater during major rainfall events.

Read more

Daiken NZ admits it caused wastewater spill into North Canterbury waterway

The company responsible for a wastewater spill into a waterway in North Canterbury says it is intent on finding out the causes of the incident.

On Friday the Canterbury Regional Council (ECan) said it was responding to reports of a toxic discharge from a factory near the Ashley township at Saltwater Creek.

Read the RNZ report

Flood protection based on historical records is flawed – we need a risk model fit for climate change

Aotearoa New Zealand has little in the way of national-level guidance on managing flood risk. Despite this, survey responses suggest flood risk professionals are aware of the issue. They agree residual flood risk is increasing, mainly due to climate change and ongoing development in flood-prone areas.

Read more

See open access link to Paper https://onlinelibrary.wiley.co...

New Papakura treatment plant boosts Auckland’s water supply by 12 million litres

The new $81m Papakura Water Treatment Plant will help boost Auckland’s water supply by 12 million litres a day when it went in to service on Thursday (31 August)

The construction of the treatment plant to reinstate Hays Creek Dam, which had been out of service for 15 years, was fast-tracked s part of drought response back in 2020.  

Read the Watercare article

Wellington study could improve worldwide access to coastal freshwater - NIWA

A new NIWA study in Wellington Harbour will help scientists find untapped drinking water around the world.

For the first time, NIWA used several techniques to map and understand the Waiwhetu Aquifer. This is a reservoir of drinking water that lies beneath the Hutt Valley and Wellington Harbour, and it releases freshwater from deep under the seabed via natural springs.

Read more

Police admit 'mis-steps' in investigation into Lachie Jones drowning in wastewater ponds

Gore District Council chief executive Stephen Parry has described police admission of mistakes over the investigation into the drowning of three year old Lachie Jones in the town's wastewater ponds ‘’highly frustrating”.

In March, the council was ordered to pay $55,000 to each of Lachie’s parents after pleading guilty to charges bought by WorkSafe in relation to the fencing at the ponds when he died.

Read the Stuff story.

Govt urged to explore wetlands as carbon sink

Farmers building wetlands on their land are urging the Government to do more to explore their potential to absorb carbon.

Read the Newshub story

Flood, cyclone recovery work: Auckland Council backs $2b funding deal with govt

Auckland Council has unanimously voted to share costs with the government to fund more than $2 billion of flood recovery and resilience works, pending consultation.

Read the RNZ report 

Final Three Waters bills pass through Parliament

The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill passed its Committee and Third Reading stages last night (Wednesday 23 Aug).

The Water Services Legislation Bill also passed both stages under urgency yesterday morning.

The two bills follow the passage of the Water Services Entities Amendment Bill last week, which put in place changes proposed in April- including a shift from four water services entities to 10.

This means the legislative pieces of the Government's Three Waters programme are now in place.

Water New Zealand is hosting a webinar for members on 4 September (11 am - 12 pm) to explain the changes to the legislation as a result of the Select Committee report back, Supplementary Order Papers and what it means for water services. Click here to register

Prosecution initiated over Waikato piggery farm effluent discharges

Waikato Regional Council has initiated a prosecution against a piggery farm near Te Aroha following an investigation into the discharge of effluent into a stream.

Read more

The 82-year-old wastewater apprentice and his 24-year-old senior'

Hugo Manson from Masterton is most likely the oldest apprentice in the country.

The 82-year-old has taken up a role at the Juken New Zealand Timber Mill in its wastewater department.

Read the TVNZ story

The toilet paper clue that helped lead to a conviction

The half-roll of toilet paper on top of the toilet was a clue.

So were the dripping taps, the wet bath mat and the washing machine filled with washing.

Read more

Helen Clark Foundation and WSP propose distinctive NZ ‘sponge cities’ model for addressing urban flood risk

In a major new research report, the Helen Clark Foundation and WSP in New Zealand are recommending a series of actions to respond to the escalating impacts of climate change-induced extreme rainfall events. Read more

Why NZ’s cities need to get ‘spongier’ - and fast

Following a summer of disastrous deluges, a major new report concludes our cities will need to be “spongier” to meet increasingly extreme weather. 

Read the Herald report

Auckland Council cut spending on stormwater repairs and maintenance before January’s catastrophic floods

Plans were under way at Auckland Council to cut spending on stormwater repairs and maintenance shortly before the catastrophic January 27 floods, official papers show.  Read the Herald story

Palmerston North's wastewater proposals are back on track

Planning for Palmerston North’s $500 million new wastewater management scheme has taken a delayed step forward.

Auckland Floods: Council launches tool for residents to check flood risk

The Auckland Council has launched an online tool for residents to check the flood risks in their areas.

Flood Viewer highlights flood plains, low-lying areas, overland flow paths and coastal areas which could be covered by sea water during a storm. Read the RNZ report

$50m: The cost of keeping sewage out of Whanganui River

The bill for fixing Whanganui's strained waterwater system to stop sewage seeping into the river is set to cost ratepayers an extra $50 million over the next 30 years.

At a meeting on Thursday Whanganui District councillors were told stormwater was regularly overwhelming the sewerage network during heavy rain.

Read the RNZ report

Watercare starts search for contractors to partner with on $3.5b asset renewal programme

Auckland’s water and wastewater services company is releasing its request for proposal (RFP) to the construction industry today.

The $3.5b programme includes the biggest investment that Watercare has made in proactive replacements of Auckland’s water and wastewater network pipes, which makes up about three-quarters of the overall programme.

Read the media release

$17m upgrade at Helensville Wastewater Treatment Plant


A $17million upgrade of the Helensville Wastewater Treatment Plant has vastly improved the quality of the treated wastewater and means the plant is better able to cope with peak flows in wet weather.

The upgrade includes New Zealand’s first installation of a ‘membrane aerated biofilm reactor’ – relatively new technology for the biological treatment of wastewater.

Read more

High level of protection closer for Te Waikoropupu Springs

The Environment Court has recommended the highest national protection for the Te Waikoropupu Springs in Golden Bay, with tough conditions on nitrate levels and irrigation in the surrounding area.

Read the Stuff story

‘Massive gap’ around Westport flood protection expectations

Westport residents are likely to be waiting until 2024 to get a clearer picture of how they will be flood-protected.

But a "massive gap" exists between public expectation and what will be built, Westport based West Coast Regional councillor Frank Dooley said.

Read the RNZ report

Water services legislation reform - progress update

The Water Services Entities Amendment Bill, which, among other matters, resets the number of water services entities from four to ten, has just been reported back from the Governance and Administration Select Committee.

You can read the updated bill here

This means that there are now three key pieces of water reform related legislation awaiting Second Reading - the other two bills being the Water Services Legislation Bill and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill.

The next sitting date for Parliament is Tuesday, 1 August.

“We are going backwards” - Wellington Water behind target on pipe renewals

Wellington Water has come under fire for failing to keep up with desperately needed water pipe renewals.

The ‘ideal renewal rate’ for the water authority is to replace 100 kilometres of pipes every year. But the latest Wellington Water Committee agenda shows it’s renewed only 18km in the 2022/23 period to July this year. Read the Herald story

All New Zealanders deserve clean and fresh water - Waipuna aa Rangi

The chair of Waipuna aa Rangi says all New Zealanders deserve clean and fresh water.

Waipuna aa Rangi is the first of ten Māori representative boards named in the water service public entities, under the Water Services Reform Programme.  Listen to the interview on Waatea News.

Flood-prone areas of city inundated, an increasingly common scenario

Flooding is a feared and familiar sight for many Christchurch residents, and streets close to the Heathcote and Avon rivers took another hammering during the weekend’s heavy rain. Read the Stuff article

Call for new Cabinet minister to handle water issues stemming from climate crisis

Water New Zealand's draft submission on enhancing the resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand’s critical infrastructure says the government could consider the establishment of a ministry for water to improve coordination and consistent policy making.

Water New Zealand members can access our draft submission here and provide feedback by 4 August.

Read the RNZ report

EPA releases findings on forever chemicals in groundwater

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released a report with results from the first large-scale survey of per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in New Zealand groundwater wells. Read more

‘Managed retreat’ for coastal Kāpiti back in the spotlight

Hundreds of Kāpiti Coast properties are back in sights of authorities planning a future where rising seas are forecast to inundate ocean-front communities. Read the Post story

Waiho River's change in course may threaten Franz Josef waste water system

Rural properties and Franz Josef's waste water treatment system may be threatened by the flood-prone Waiho River changing its course. Read the RNZ report

17,000 homes and businesses overcharged by defective ‘smart’ water meters

17,000 homes and businesses overcharged by defective ‘smart’ water meters.  Read more on Newsroom Pro

NZ lakes comparable with Europe and USA for plastic pollution - research

In a global analysis of plastic pollution levels in freshwater lakes, it appears New Zealand has come out punching well above its weight, and not in a good way. The study revealed high levels of plastic pollution in New Zealand lakes which University of Waikato Associate Professor and freshwater ecologist Dr Deniz Özkundakci says is disappointing.

Read more

Many water supplies in New Zealand still need new safety plans

Three-quarters of the country's water supplies still do not have the required plan that identifies hazards to water sources, but those that do cover most of the population. Read the RNZ report

‘Green stream’ complaints result in $244K fines

A prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council against a dairy farming operation in Ngaroma, near Ōtorohanga, has resulted in a number of convictions, significant fines and the imposition of an Enforcement Order.  Read more

Aotearoa’s ‘beating heart’, Lake Taupō, is doing better than expected

Lake Taupō has exceeded water quality expectations, hitting targets ahead of schedule, according to landmark Waikato Regional Council research. Read the Waikato Times story.

Hastings mystery solved: Report reveals what’s eating hot water cylinders, and offers a chemical solution

A new report has solved the mystery of why Hastings hot-water cylinders are failing at alarmingly high rates, and offered a potential chemical solution.  Read the Herald story

Holes found in Westport flood plan

As a multimillion-dollar project to protect one of the most flood-prone towns in the country moves ahead, an engineering review suggests a rethink is needed. Read the Newsroom article

Wellington region records more than 7000 sewage overflows in five years

Sewage is spilling from the Wellington region’s ageing water pipe network hundreds of times every year, with Wellington city and Lower Hutt the worst offenders.

Information released to the Herald under the Official Information Act shows between 2018 and 2023 there were 7034 wastewater overflows in Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt.

Read the Herald report

Christchurch head of Three Waters resigns after extended leave

Christchurch City Council has confirmed the resignation of its head of three waters.

Helen Beaumont had been out of office since February this year, with colleague Brent Smith temporarily taking on the role in her absence.

Read the RNZ story

Taumata Arowai releases report on the state of drinking water in Aotearoa

Allan Prangnell, Chief Executive of Taumata Arowai the water services regulator, has announced the publication of its Drinking Water Regulation Report 2022.

University partners with hapū to build freshwater knowledge

Waipapa Taumata Rau and Winiata marae are working together to improve freshwater quality in the rural town of Taihape. Read more

Water education given a fresh perspective

Tamariki in Waikato can learn the importance of valuing water, thanks to a flood of new educational resources.

Jointly developed by Smart Water and University of Waikato’s Science Learning Hub, the resources make it easier for students to learn about the journey of water from source to tap.

Read more

Experts look to nature to help improve Auckland's flood resistance

Experts are looking to nature to help improve Auckland's resilience to flooding in the future by looking at "daylighting" the region's waterways.

Read the TVNZ report 

The Boy in the Water: a new investigative podcast

'The Boy in the Water', a new podcast from Newsroom about the case of three year old Lachlan Jones who drowned in the Gore sewage oxidation pond.

Listen Melanie Reid's first three podcasts 

Council increases excess water limit and confirms 6.4% rates increase

Christchurch residents can now use more water before an excess charge kicks in, as the city council increases the daily limit.

Read The Press article 

Project helps farmers clean up blighted estuary

A project to support 15 Bay of Plenty farmers to transition to lower-footprint systems has contributed to improved awareness of water quality in one of New Zealand’s most degraded estuaries.

Read the Farmers Weekly story


Poll shows more young people want to build on climate-vulnerable land, most people willing to relocate

Younger people are more supportive of building on land that is susceptible to the impacts of climate change, a Herald poll has found.

Read the Herald article

Firefighters worry about housing intensification impacts

Firefighters have told Auckland leaders that a lack of water for hoses, and increasingly jammed-up roads and jammed-in housing are making fighting fires worse. Listen to the RNZ report.

Ngāi Tahu unleashes over lakes

Blistering feedback from mana whenua skewers agencies over systemic failures at Ōtūwharekai/Ashburton Lakes. Read the Newsroom report.

Farmer wasting thousands of litres of water in protest at council charges

Rangiora farmer Rodney Beck has started pouring an estimated 10,000 litres of drinking water a day down the drain in a protest against Waimakariri District Council water charges.  Read more

Final water reform legislation introduced

The final piece of legislation for the Government’s revamped affordable water reforms has been introduced to the House today.

The Water Services Amendment Bill changes the Water Services Entities Act 2022 to replace 4 water services entities with 10, allowing for greater community ownership of water entities.

Read the Bill and the Local Government Minister's media release.

The Department of Internal Affairs is required to prepare a disclosure statement to assist with the scrutiny of this Bill. The disclosure statement provides access to information about the policy development of the Bill and identifies any significant or unusual legislative features of the Bill.

A copy of the statement can be found at http://legislation.govt.nz/disclosure.aspx?type=bill&subtype=government&year=2023&no=262

The Department of Internal Affairs produced a regulatory impact statement on 9 May 2023 to help inform the main policy decisions taken by the Government relating to the contents of this Bill.

A copy of this regulatory impact statement can be found at—

Local Government Minister, Kieran McAnulty anticipates the Bill will be referred to Select Committee later this month.

Law change empowers a new consumer advocacy agency for water

A select committee law change enables the creation of a Three Waters consumer advocacy group, rather than relying entirely on the Commerce Commission to protect community interests.

Read the Newsroom report

Three Waters select committee slates officials usurping democratic process

Select Committee changes to the Water Services Legislation Bill make the water new corporations primarily responsible for managing and maintaining all watercourses, even over private property. The report acknowledges this is a "significant addition" to the water entities' operational responsibilities.  Read the Newsroom story.

Hawke's Bay Māori grapple with buyout decisions

Hawke's Bay Māori are grappling with huge decisions in the wake of the Government's proposed buyout of cyclone-hit homes most at risk of being flooded again.

Iwi and hapū had difficult conversations ahead with whanau about whether they leave their cultural roots behind or risk their lives holding down the ahi ka.

Listen to the RNZ report 

Biodegradable plastics that don't break down

Recent research has found that many so-called biodegradable plastics are not breaking down and have been found in marine environments.  Listen to this interview on RNZ 

Hundreds of homeowners to get voluntary buyout offers for cyclone-hit properties

About 700 homeowners nationally will get Government and council buyout offers after suffering damage in cyclones earlier this year. Read the Stuff article.

Co-governance is good governance

Water New Zealand Board member, Troy Brockbank discusses issues raised at the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference 2023, including the need for Te Mana o te Wai, nature-based solutions and the need for better planning to live with water. Listen to the korero on Radio Waatea

Water infrastructure failures show low resilience

New report on water infrastructure failures from Cyclone Gabrielle show low resilience to climate change. Read the report.

'Hard lessons we need to learn' - Stormwater conference faces harsh climate reality

A dour mood hung above this year's Stormwater New Zealand Conference, as attendees reflected on months of flooding and severe weather.

"I need to apologise in advance for any recent trauma that this presentation might trigger," Auckland Council's Nick Brown said before playing a montage of the flood's most destructive moments. Read the RNZ report

Multiple barriers needed to keep drinking water safe

Chlorine is very good at killing bugs that can kill us - Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe explains why it's so important to have multiple barriers against drinking water contamination, including residual disinfectant, right to the tap. 

Listen to the The Panel on RNZ 

Cyclone and flood recovery support must be fiscally sustainable - Robertson

New Zealand needs to prepare for the reality that weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods will continue to happen "more and more", the finance minister says. Listen to the RNZ interview

‘We need to pull every lever’: Water review suggests 25 million cubic-metre shortage by 2040

An updated draft of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s (HBRC) Regional Water Assessment (RWA) says it needs to “pull every lever” to reduce demand for water. Read the Hawkes Bay Today story

Auckland drains 'at capacity' during flooding, council says

Stormwater catchpits, drains and pipes across Auckland during Tuesday’s heavy rain and subsequent floodingwere at capacity, the council has said. See the TVNZ story

Company found guilty over ‘knackered’ state of leaking wastewater treatment plants

A large contracting company has been found guilty over the appalling state of Clutha’s wastewater treatment plants.

Judge Brian Dwyer found City Care Ltd guilty in the Dunedin District Court on six charges related to discharges or permitting of discharges of contaminants from wastewater treatment plants at Stirling, Owaka, Kaka Point, Tapanui and Lawrence in late 2019. Read the Herald article

Legal opinion challenges ECan's interpretation of water bottling court decision

A legal opinion, obtained by two councils, backs up claims that Environment Canterbury has incorrectly interpreted a court decision that is causing delays to millions of dollars worth of projects. Read the Press article

Brown indicates flood-damaged homes won't be compensated, says NZ 'must learn' from 'catastrophic' weather events

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has indicated homes damaged by the wild weather in two devastating storms earlier this year won't be compensated.

Auckland has been hit hard by wild weather this year. The region was devastated by the Auckland Anniversary floods on January 27 and again just two weeks later by Cyclone Gabrielle. Read the Newshub story.

Work underway for national approach to managing stormwater runoff and reducing flood damage

Planners are working on a national approach for improving how cities and towns manage stormwater runoff to minimise flood damage.

Stormwater was incredibly damaging in the Auckland anniversary day floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in February. Read the RNZ story.

New Zealand's first waste water recycling plant launched in Māngere

Mangere, South Auckland, has become the home of New Zealand's first-ever wastewater recycling plant that produces water for both industrial and eventually drinking water use. Read the report on Te Ao Māori News

'Our tīpuna knew when to move' - The difficult conversations about managed retreat for Māori

After the devastating impact of land loss, there is an understandable reluctance among some Māori to give up the land they have left. But the changing climate will eventually inflict more pain on the most flood-prone places.

Read the RNZ report

Fall in summer peak-time water use could save Christchurch ratepayers millions of dollars

A drop in the amount of water used at peak times in Christchurch could mean less new infrastructure is needed if the practice continues – potentially saving ratepayers millions of dollars.

Read the Stuff article

Thousands of state houses on flood prone land, and more going up

A sizeable chunk of state housing is on flood prone land, and Kāinga Ora continues to put new builds on land it knows will flood in the future.

Currently, more than 15 percent of the state housing portfolio was on flood prone land.

Read the RNZ report

Down the drain - the multi million dollar wipes problem

Too many wipes are getting stuck in pipes and causing multi-million dollar problems for councils. Watch Water NZ CEO Gillian Blythe talk about why people should never flush wipes.  See the Seven Sharp item

Lack of robust data in environment reports

Freshwater ecologist, Mike Joy says two statistical methods used in a freshwater report are flawed. But as Newsroom's David Williams reports, a lack of robust data and information has been hampering understanding of the true state of the environment for many years.  Read more 

Thousands of Christchurch residents stung with bill for using too much water

More than 15,000 Christchurch residents have now been stung with a bill for using too much water this summer.

The average bill is $84, but one Woolston property has managed to rack up $2884 worth of excess water charges. Read the Stuff report.

At least three more months before Napier's wastewater is fully treated before entering sea

It will be at least another three months before Napier’s sewage is properly treated before entering the sea.

Read the Stuff article

Cost of flood damage to Watercare’s broken network could now hit $460m

The estimated cost of Watercare’s rebuild after Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland Anniversary flooding could now hit $460m. Read the Stuff article

Finally, water’s health is being put first

Two water-first decisions, 1000km apart, suggest the country is turning a conservation corner. Read this report from Newsroom's David Williams.

Why NZ (really) needs water reform – in five charts

The latest state-of-our-waters report shows why we really need Three Waters reform. It's partly because there are still some pretty grim numbers, but also because there are welcome signs the reforms we already have are starting to make a difference.

Read Newsroom's report on Water New Zealand's National Performance Review findings 

Watercare rolls out digital water meter solution to better service commercial properties

New Zealand’s largest water services provider, Watercare has started rolling out smart loggers on water meters for commercial premises in Auckland to better manage water usage across the city, save on manual reads and improve billing accuracy for commercial premises. Read more

World Water Day 2023 – making room for water

World Water Day 2023 – making room for water

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says this summer’s flooding events have provided a clear indication that we need to change the way we live with water and that we need more consistency and national leadership.

Globally, we’re facing unprecedent water challenges as population growth and climate change start to impact.

Even in our remote corner of the world, this summer has shown us that we’re not immune to the enormous consequences that climate change will present, and we need to re-think the way we live with water – in both urban and rural environments.

The January flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle was clearly beyond the scope that any council or stormwater utility could be expected to manage with traditional infrastructure and the consequent devastation suffered by so many families and communities was heart breaking.

It was clear that while Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland may have the title of the world’s spongiest city, it was no match for the extremes of nature that shook the urban infrastructure and environment in January.

Creating and developing more urban sponges in our cities needs to be a vital part of future planning but we need to do more than that.

Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) - daylighting natural streams, planting vegetation to absorb the water and trap sediments and pollutants, minimising impervious surfaces and creating spaces that mimic the natural water cycle, are all integral parts or urban development.

WSUD addresses both water quantity and water quality issues. WSUD draws upon the processes of natural systems and adapts these to suit urban environments. It integrates the processes inherent in water systems with the ‘built environment’ – buildings, infrastructure and landscapes.

Larger-scale green infrastructure like wetlands and basins as well as making room for the river, or flood are also important features of WSUD. For instance, Christchurch has invested in over 100 hectares of basins in the Upper Heathcote to significantly reduce flood risk along the river. In Auckland the daylighted Awataha Stream and Greenslade Reserve stormwater detention park held up well during the January floods, with much greater capacity than a traditional hard infrastructure network.

But we can’t rely solely on WSUD, sponginess and piped networks. We need to take a much more joined up national approach to planning our urban environment.

Climate change management needs to be part of every council’s strategic, spatial, and operational planning and it needs to be done in a nationally consistent manner.

For instance, we need nationally consistent direction on managing and restricting development in areas of high or increasing risk such as flood plains and overland flow paths.

This needs to be backed up by more stringent enforcement of planning rules. In many places, existing planning rules aimed at preventing building in high hazard zones are weak or have been overruled when challenged by developers while the advice of stormwater and planning experts have been ignored.

Equity issues arise in communities vulnerable to flooding because low median household incomes make it more difficult for local authorities to fund the protection work needed through rates.

We need to stop allowing short-term, quick return thinking to influence decisions about housing that will be in those areas for decades, if not centuries.

Integrated catchment

It will be crucial for the regulators, local government organisations and the water service entities to work together to ensure an integrated catchment approach for all infrastructure for the benefit of our communities.

Integrated catchment planning manages water resources and land use on a catchment scale.

With the increasing intensification and natural and physical constraints on land use, and the increasing demand for water, the integrated management of land use and the three waters is becoming more and more critical.

Effective integrated catchment planning and management is paramount if we are to improve water quality, reduce over-allocation, manage land change effects and reduce natural hazard risk.

There is a need for the new spatial planning legislation (the Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning bills) to be mindful about stormwater resilience and to taking a more co-ordinated, future focused approach to planning and development.

We need to be much more proactive through the identification of hazard areas to inform both location and the design of future developments and infrastructure and areas requiring adaptation and avoidance.

National approach

In order to plan better, we will need to increase our understanding and ensure a more consistent approach to modelling and mapping climate change and risks. How often are these storms likely to occur? How will more frequent and longer droughts affect drinking water supply? How big are they likely to get? How can we design smart, resilient infrastructure and cities to cope with them?

A consistent definition of what is a flood risk and set of national levels of service and measures for flooding will focus funding to address where shortfalls and gaps occur, help inform spatial planning and highlight adaptation priorities and retreat for the most at risk areas.

For example, across Aotearoa there are significant variations in status quo stormwater levels of service for stormwater modelling, planning design, and funding. A nationally consistent suite of levels of services and targets, which allow for local risks and costs, need to be developed and put to decision makers and our communities.

Currently, our inconsistent and haphazard approach and accountability for managing flood risk can too easily hide or overlook problems until there is a major event and we are quick to forget, when it comes to funding stormwater infrastructure shortfalls.

Accountability for stormwater management is often split across agencies or departments within agencies and consequentially can be overlooked by each organisation – until the flood event occurs. A nationally consistent approach would help clarify accountability for flood related outcomes.

Finally, we need to ensure our communities are more informed about their own flood risks.

It’s vital that flood hazard information is freely available, nationally consistent, and transparent.

We have welcomed and fully support the latest moves in the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill legislation to tackle this serious omission and ensure better national guidance on hazard reporting.

At present, not every land information memorandum [LIM] has information about floods and climate change hazard. Yet, this is vital information for householders and businesses.

It is concerning that many people don’t understand their flood risk and what, for instance, a one in a 100-year flood event means.

People must have information to weigh up the risks so they can make informed decisions about where they live - whether to maintain or invest in their properties or in some cases retreat.

We are facing major challenges and if we are going to be resilient in the face of climate change, a nationally-led approach to stormwater planning and management is necessary to protect public and environmental health and wellbeing.

Wellington's water woes - where to from here?

Frustration is mounting among Wellington's mayors and residents at the region's decaying water infrastructure.

Listen to Kathryn Ryan on RNZ's nine to noon programme  discuss the Wellington Water's problems with three of the region's mayors.


South Wairarapa wastewater plant compliance still an issue

Martinborough’s wastewater treatment plant remains non-compliant with resource consent conditions, a Wellington Water report reveals.

Read Article

Council staff under pressure to approve building in flood plains, expert claims

A climate risk expert from the Wellington Regional Council, says the council consent staff are coming under pressure to give the go-ahead to developments in flood risk areas.

Listen now

Thousands of birds die at important wetland, from deadly disease caused by pollution

Thousands of birds have died from avian botulism in Whangamarino wetlands due to poor water quality caused by dairy intensification and industrial runoff, prompting criticism from Fish & Game New Zealand towards the local authority for failing to protect freshwater environments. 

Read Article

New Wellington Water boss says reform must happen

Wellington Water’s new chief executive, Tonia Haskell​, has Three Waters reform on her mind.  Read the Stuff article 

Central Hawke’s Bay residents now free to drink water from taps again

After 26 days of boiled, bottled, or tank-truck-provided water, residents in Ōtāne and Waipawa can safely drink from their taps, following the removal of a boil water notice on Saturday. Read the Hawkes Bay Today story

Thousands of litres of water down the drain in Roseneath, Wellington

A leak in Roseneath is sending thousands of litres of water down the drain, according to one local resident’s estimates.

Read the DomPost report.

High resolution imagery of flood-hit areas supports cyclone recovery

New high-resolution, satellite imagery providing a birds-eye view of Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact on the North Island’s east coast is now available online as part of the emergency response. See the Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) Basemaps and LINZ Data Service online platforms.

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council says ‘no urgency’ to move flooded community

To stay or go - property owners in regions hardest hit by Cyclone Gabrielle want answers.

The Government suggested it was urgent to get them those answers - and to have the conversations about not going back, about not rebuilding, “over the next few weeks”. Read the Herald report

Fourteen exemption applications made to new water regulator

New Zealand’s water regulator has received 14 exemption applications over new drinking water standards, including one in Wellington relating to chlorine. Read the Herald article.

Waiting for rest of rural water scheme story to be unveiled

The Clutha region now knows half of the story about the future of its rural water scheme.  Read this local farmers' view.

What those affected can expect from managed retreat in flood-vulnerable areas

The Government has spent years working on plans for managed retreat, and says it will have answers for the areas that were worst affected by Gabrielle in about a month.

Read the RNZ report.

Are flood protections putting us at greater risk?

For decades, we’ve tried to fight against nature – draining swamps, building on floodplains and constructing walls to keep water at bay.

Read more

Covid-19: Whole North Island regions had no wastewater sampling due to cyclone

Whole regions have had their Covid-19 wastewater testing affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and further severe weather, causing “gaps in the data”.

Read more

Engineering innovation for a more resilient world

4 March 2022

Water New Zealand says innovative engineering solutions will be key to ensuring long term sustainable management of our water environment.

Today (March 4) is World UNESCO World Engineering Day for sustainable development.

“I want to acknowledge the vital role that engineers play in ensuring healthy safe water in Aotearoa New Zealand and across the world, says Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe.

“Engineers often work at the cutting edge of development, and particularly in water, play a key role in the sustainable management of freshwater, as well as drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.

“We know that we face enormous challenges including water scarcity, droughts, increased flooding and storms due to climate change, as well as pollution and degradation of water resources.

“We need to continue to find innovation solutions and engineers will play an increasingly vital role in helping to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

“Everyday I am inspired by the dedication and commitment of so many of our engineering members in helping to find solutions to ensure a sustainable future.

“Working in water is a great option for any engineer wanting to help make a big difference to the health and well-being of our environment and the people who live in it.”

Water leaks in Christchurch getting worse as millions of litres lost every day

Water leaks in Christchurch are continuing to grow as 38 million litres a day is lost from the city’s pipes – that’s about 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water.

Read the Stuff report

Need for better alignment in water reform legislation

2 March 2023

Water New Zealand says there is a need for better alignment between the current water reform legislation and long term planning for water infrastructure services resilience.

Chief executive Gillian Blythe says the recent storm and flooding events indicate the urgent need for a consistent national approach to stormwater hazard modelling, smarter land use and design standards.

She told the Finance and Expenditure Committee that Water New Zealand welcomes the intent of the Water Services Legislation and Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bills which will provide incentives to invest wisely and upgrade critical water infrastructure.

However, she says there is a need for a more cohesive and coordinated approach with the Natural and Built Environments and Spatial Planning Bills.

“There is a risk that without this cohesion, the silo approach that has led to inadequate planning decisions, such as permitting building in hazard-prone areas, could continue.

“We also need to ensure that New Zealanders have the information needed to make knowledgeable decisions about investment and acceptable risk.”

She says that strong partnerships with tangata whenua are critical to ensure Te Mana o te Wai (health of the water) is embedded in integrated catchment management planning.

See our submission on  the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill and the submission on the Water Services Legislation Bill. 

Urgent need to address infrastructure funding questions

Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe says the urgent need to address the infrastructure deficit is one of the key issues facing three waters services in Aotearoa. In response to National's policy release, she says in order for that to be affordable, there will be a need for economies of scale and and scope.

Listen to the RNZ report

Water, water everywhere 'now is the time for technology'

Aotearoa will cope more efficiently with torrential weather such as record rainfall if it embraces technology faster, the NZ IoT Alliance executive director Alison Mackie says.  Read more

Rise in cases of bacterial disease leptospirosis could be linked to flooding

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service is warning health providers of a potential outbreak of leptospirosis, which could be linked to recent extreme weather events.

Read more

High Court rules against councils seeking ownership declaration

Three councils who sought to have their property rights declared by a court over the Three Waters reforms have had their bid rejected by the High Court.

Read more

NZ cities urgently need to become ‘spongier’ – but system change will be expensive

Two extreme and deadly weather events within the first two months of 2023 have brought the consequences of climate change into sharp focus. Perhaps not surprisingly, there is now a lot more talk about the need for “sponge cities”, with Auckland being a prime candidate.  Read the article in The Conversation

Flood hazard could soon be a compulsory part of LIMs

"Not every land information report [LIM] has information about floods and climate change hazard," ays Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe.

"All householders and businesses want to understand that hazard information. It must be reported in a nationally consistent and transparent way."  Read the RNZ story

How to prevent building where it isn’t safe


Auckland University geologist, Associate Professor Martin Brook says if there If there is any good to come out of the storms this year it is that it will encourage local and central government planners to ensure building consent means well-informed consent.

Read his opinion article in Newsroom

Months to fix water pipes in Gisborne

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stolz has provided an update on the city's crisis, saying "it will take months to fix our water pipes" following Cyclone Gabrielle.


Co-governance – it’s nothing like you think

Bemused by the political furore, nay fury, Newsroom's Nikki Mandow went hunting for examples of shared governance in action.

“If you want to break down Three Waters, it’s pretty simple. We want to be able to drink the water, we want to make sure the storm water is going out, and so on. And like what we are doing with Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance, it’s about thinking big, not getting into silos – this little council, this little iwi, says Alliance co-chair David Johnston.

Read the full Newsroom article

Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Wairoa, Muriwai ravaged by floods, slips; recovery and rescues in Auckland, Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty

At least two people have now died and a volunteer firefighter remains missing as new aerial images reveal Cyclone Gabrielle’s deadly coast-to-coast path of destruction in the North Island, from Muriwai to Hawke’s Bay.

Read the Herald update

Whanganui River Māori offer support in Colorado River crisis talks

A delegation of Whanganui River Māori is travelling to the United States to support North American Indigenous leaders and tribes of the under-threat Colorado River.

Read the Whanganui Chronicle story 

Stormwaters run deep: Auckland councillors call for audit

As the waters recede through choked and overloaded stormwater infrastructure, debates have opened up over the city’s future pattern of development.

Read the Newsroom article

Water infrastructure investment remains critical

Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe says it's vital that the focus remains firmly on the need to invest in water infrastructure. PM Chris Hipkins has said that the need for reform is unquestionable but that careful consideration is required.

Gillian told NewstalkZB's Kate Hawkesby that the longer we delay investment, the harder it will get and the more complex it will be.

Listen to the interview

Council assured dump poses little risk to Greymouth's town water supply

The Grey District Council has been assured the proximity of a dump taking asbestos and toxic material to the Greymouth water treatment plant poses little risk.  Read the Stuff article

Defining braided rivers will help avoid future disasters

Lawmakers are being urged to bridge the legal and scientific divide over braided rivers. Read this Newsroom report.

Better linking of stormwater management and land-use needed

Recently retired water engineer Jan Hejis says bad planning is the root cause of recent flooding and we need clear direction, changes in legislation and guidance to avoid further catastrophes.

Read his Newsroom OpEd 

What now for Auckland? Four ideas for a more climate resilient city

Auckland's floods may have been historic but flooding on a similar scale will strike again soon. What can Aotearoa's largest city do to prepare? Read this RNZ article where four experts share their big ideas.

Making cities more 'spongy' to cope with future deluges

Before Auckland flooded badly on Friday evening University of Auckland Urban Planning Senior Lecturer Timothy Welch wrote about the idea of 'spongy cities' to cope with increased climate change rainfall.

Listen to the RNZ interview

‘Just crazy’: Public health expert urges against swimming in contaminated floodwaters, beaches

Aucklanders are being urged to stay away from closed beaches and avoid contaminated floodwaters, as a second deluge threatens to again swamp Auckland’s hard-hit storm and wastewater network.

Read more

Chief executives for Water Services Entities confirmed

The appointment of chief executives for Entities A, B, and C marks a significant milestone in the effort to improve water services delivery for future generations. With extensive skills and experience in leading change and delivering key infrastructure projects, these industry heavyweights are set to take the helm in July 2024. 

Read more: https://www.threewaters.govt.n...

What a Waste: Getting Our Poop Sludge Out of Landfill

Australia puts 80% of its nutrient-rich 'biosolids' back onto farm land as fertiliser. In New Zealand it's just 20%. Instead, half of our sludge goes to landfill. That's changing - Three Waters could be a catalyst. 

Read the full story on Newsroom. 

Council wastewater ponds may have to be fenced

Water New Zealand says a WorkSafe order that lead to the Gore District Council erecting deer fencing around its wastewater ponds could set a standard that other councils need to take note of.

The council pleaded guilty to an amended charge laid by WorkSafe after three-year-old Lachie Jones was found dead in the Gore oxidation ponds almost four years ago.

Read the full article here. 

Water industry group warns against more delays to 3 Waters reform

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe is under no illusions about the challenges facing Three Waters infrastructure.

NBR subscribers read the full article here. 

Concern over misuse of boil water notices

There's concern that boil water notices are being wrongly used by some water suppliers as long term solutions to water quality issues, with one town having a boil water notice in place for 28 years. Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says smaller providers often struggle with the finance, skills and knowledge to fix issues.


See the One News story 

Smart eco-solution to reduce phosphorus in waterways

Engineers at the University of Auckland are designing way to clean phosphorus from waste water and turn it into fertiliser - a process with both environmental and financial benefits. Read more

New Zealand's wastewater-contaminated beaches a sign of what global warming could bring

As the sun comes back out across the country, "unsuitable for swimming" signs are also going out at many popular beaches. The wild weather and heavy bouts of rain have forced wastewater treatment plants to overflow - contaminating waterways and popular swimming spots. Read more

Dry summer leads to Grey District water restrictions

The Grey District water network is under significant pressure from the long spell of hot dry weather and increased demand. Read more

Wellington beaches closed to swimmers after storm

Most Wellington beaches were off-limits for swimmers on Thursday after a sewage treatment plant was forced to release wastewater due to heavy rainfall the night before.

Read more

Chlorine removal at least five years away for nearly half of Christchurch

Chlorine will not be removed from a large chunk of Christchurch’s water for at least five years, according to a new report.  Read the Stuff article.

Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade starts

Work has started on a $60 million upgrade of the Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant. Read more

Water Mission to Gauge Alaskan Rivers on Front Lines of Climate Change

An upcoming Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission will provide a trove of data on Earth’s water resources, even in remote locations. Read more

Council executive who gave $7m sewage plant contract to cake decorator guilty of corruption

A former council executive who arranged for a $7 million sewage plant contract to be awarded to a cake decorator has been found guilty of corruption.

Read more

Solving One Piece of the Freshwater Restoration Puzzle at a Time

How are land managers motivated to record and report their land management actions? A new paper from the Register of Land Management Actions project identifies collective engagement, efficient farm management and social norms as key drivers.

Read more

Chlorine to remain in Selwyn water supplies for now as bid to remove it fails

Temporary chlorination will continue throughout most of Selwyn – including in Rolleston, Lincoln and Darfield – after a bid to halt it failed.

Read the Stuff report

Dozens of beaches unsafe to swim in after storms

Dozens of beaches across Auckland are currently unsafe to swim in following bouts of heavy rainfall over the past few days. Read the RNZ story

Wellington losing 27 Olympic swimming pools of water a day through leaks

About 40% of Wellington’s water supply – roughly the equivalent of 27 Olympic sized swimming pools – is being wasted each day because of 5000-plus leaks from the capital region’s pipes, according to new estimates from Wellington Water.

Read the Stuff article

Bergen – A city that celebrates its water challenges

World-leading work that has brought climate resilience to this Norwegian city where nature-based solutions have created a biodiverse and good for well-being environment, with water central to its city planning.

Read more

EPA proposes to close ‘loophole’ for reporting ‘forever chemical’ releases

In the US, the EPA is proposing to close a prior “loophole” that allowed some companies to get out of reporting their releases of certain kinds of toxic chemicals.

Read the article

New legislation to provide affordable water services for New Zealanders

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the two new bills introduced to Parliament following the passage of the Water Services Entities Act will help ensure affordable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater can be provided to New Zealanders now and into the future.

Read the Government media release

48 of Wellington's drinking water reservoirs are vulnerable to contamination - report

A health check of Wellington’s most important water infrastructure has found all above ground drinking water reservoirs are vulnerable to contamination.

Read more.

600,000 UK properties face surface water flood risk

A new report by the National Infrastructure Commission has found that, without action to reduce urban runoff and improve drainage, 600,000 properties in the UK face flooding.

Read more

DOC’s Community Environment Fund open

The Department of Conservation (DOC) Community Fund is now open for community conservation groups undertaking critical, grassroots work to support Aotearoa’s biodiversity strategy.

Key information:

  • The funding round opened on 9 November and closes on 31 January, 2023.
  • $9.2 million is available, comprising $7.2 million for threatened species and ecosystem projects, and $2 million for cultural heritage projects.
  • Applicants must be a community group, iwi/hapū or a private landowner.
  • Note that the eligibility criteria have changed this year. To check your eligibility for the threatened species and ecosystem funding stream, look at the “how to determine eligibility” section of the DOC website.
  • If you are unsure of your eligibility or have any queries related to the DOC Community Fund, please contact their Funds Team at doccf@doc.govt.nz

Award winning campaign to keep wipes out of pipes

A public education campaign to reduce pipe blockages caused by wipes during the first few months of Covid has picked up an award at the NSW Sustainability Awards. Read more

Is a hydrogen-powered future hiding in our wastewater?

Its first steps may have been hesitant – thanks to a funding slump following the 2008 financial crisis – but hydrogen is now back and looking like a winner for renewable, clean energy. And its success may lie in a dirty source. Read more

Smart Water initative launched

The Smart Water partnership between Hamilton City Council, Waipā District Council and Waitomo District Council aims to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of water, from the source to tap, and support schools, organisations and the community to value water and use it in an efficient way. Read more 

NZ’s groundwater still ‘widely vulnerable’ to faecal contamination'

A new analysis of national groundwater data has shown concerning trends in areas with intensive farming, where detections of harmful E. coli bacteria have been rising.

Read the Herald report

Chlorination of Selwyn water supplies to continue

Chlorine will be added to the Selwyn district's major water supplies until at least December 14 after councillors were divided on whether to immediately remove it.

Read the Star News story

Three Waters to pass through Parliament in time for Christmas

The Leader of the House, Chris Hipkins has confirmed that the Water Services Entities Bill will pass before Christmas.

Read the Newsroom article

Experts raise alarm over WHO’s PFAS limits for drinking water

More than 110 scientists and regulators worldwide are raising a public alarm over what they label “weak” PFAS drinking water limits proposed by the World Health Organization.

Read the story in the UK Guardian

Safer drinking water for rural communities

Water treatment specialist company, FILTEC, have partnered with Crown Infrastructure Partners to deliver safe, clean drinking water units to 120 rural communities across Aotearoa New Zealand over the next few years.

Find out more

Christchurch water fluoridation decision delayed until next year

A decision on fluoridating Christchurch’s water has been delayed until at least April despite calls for urgency in the face of concerns at childhood tooth decay. Read the Stuff article

Central Interceptor’s micro-Tunnel Boring Machine breaks through for third time

Watercare's micro-Tunnel Boring Machine (m-TBM) called Domenica has today (16 November) broken through to Miranda Reserve, Avondale after travelling 1212m from Dundale Ave, Blockhouse Bay as she builds the first of two branch sewers for our Central Interceptor. 

Read more

The battle over NZ’s biggest water take

NZ’s largest hydro power station wrestles with a nationally significant river – and the Environment Court.

Read the Newsroom report


Select Committee reports back on Water Services Entities Bill

The Finance and Expenditure Select Committee this afternoon reported back on the Water Services Entities Bill. See the Minister’s media release and the Select Committee report.

New Taumata Arowai CEO

Allan Prangnell as the next Chief Executive of Taumata Arowai. Allan Prangnell will replace Bill Bayfield who has taken the organisation through its establishment phase since mid-2019 and will step down from the role in January.

Read the media release

Auckland could be drinking recycled water by 2040

Watercare will investigate whether recycled water is a viable option for Auckland’s drinking water supply.

Read the Stuff article

Explained: Three Waters legislation takes another step forward

"It costs a lot of money to make sure the water you drink is safe and it costs a lot of money to ensure that when you flush the toilet or empty the water in the sink … that waste is being managed in a way that is appropriate,” says Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe.

Listen to the new podcast, Stuff Explained on why we need to reform Three Waters services.

Auckland treatment plant shutdown due to contaminant

Watercare has shut down an Auckland treatment plant after finding PFAs contamination above drinking water threshold levels.

It has only just spent $2 million upgrading the Onehunga plant.

Read more

Government support for rural water suppliers

Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty was in Eketāhuna today to announce the Government is accepting applications for a programme to support rural drinking water suppliers meet Taumata Arowai water standards.

Read the Minister's media statement

Dozens of communities at serious flood risk and unprepared - report

A government report has for the first time identified dozens of communities at serious risk of flooding and totally unprepared for it. Read the RNZ story

Ensuring safety of rural water supply

https://www.gisborneherald.co....Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta was at Rongopai Marae and Patutahi School near Gisborne on Friday to announce a programme aimed at helping to upgrade community water systems in high deprivation areas.

Read the Gisborne Herald story

We need to fix our water infrastructure

Speaking on TVNZ Breakfast this morning, Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe said it's important we get our water systems right to ensure New Zealanders have access to drinking water that is up to standard.

Watch the discussion 

Councils failing to fluoridate water correctly

A Newshub report has claimed that every single council in New Zealand that fluoridates its drinking water is failing to do so at the proper level.

Read the story

Water New Zealand Conference & Expo 2022 Highlight Video

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Ōtautahi Christchurch and helped make our major conference this year such a big success!

It certainly reflected the huge amount of enthusiasm and professionalism within the water sector and made us very proud to be your industry organisation. With more than 1000 delegates, 86 technical presentations, eight keynote and 15 thought leadership speakers not including panelists along with 236 exhibition stands with 142 companies exhibiting - there was plenty happening over the two and a half days at Te Pae.

Flush taps to protect from lead - ESR

A team from ESR has published a review of the 2021 public health response to the discovery of lead in drinking water in several small communities in North Otago.

The review was presented in a paper at the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo last week, ahead of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (23-29 October).

Read the ESR release

Time to act is now - Nanaia Mahuta at conference

In her keynote address this week to the Water New Zealand Conference & Expo 2022, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta told the delegates that now is the time to be aspirational about what our three waters system across Aotearoa will look like as we move into the future.

Read the speech

Government seeks to offer Three Waters certainty

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has pledged to offer the Three Waters sector some certainty, acknowledging staff needed clarity and job security.

Read more

RNZ report - Water New Zealand delegates agree change needed

Delegates to this week's Water New Zealand Conference broadly agree that reform in the sector has been a long time coming.

Listen to the Morning Report item 

The Local Government Minister at Water Conference

The Local Government Minister is pushing to find common ground with new Auckland mayor Wayne Brown over the controversial three waters policy.

Read more

Water issues under the spotlight at major conference

Water issues under the spotlight at major conference

17 October 2022

Three waters reform and the need for resilience in the face of climate change are among the key topics under the spotlight at the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo 2022 which gets underway tomorrow at Te Pae in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

More than 1000 delegates are expected to attend the annual event which attracts leaders and professionals from across the water services industry and business.

Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe says Aotearoa New Zealand is facing some major issues around three waters reform and the need to provide safe, reliable and affordable water services.

“There are some big challenges ahead of us. We need to find an affordable way to upgrade our ageing infrastructure to meet current and future demands. We curently lose around 20 percent of the water in our national network because of leaking pipes.

“We need to become more resilient in the face of climate change and extreme weather events and we need to use water more efficiently and effectively.

“As citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand, we all want to be able to swim in our rivers, lakes and beaches so we must address issues around our sewage overflows and the unacceptably high number of wastewater treatment plants operating without resource consents or in breach of their consents.”

The conference focuses on the many innovative and exciting solutions in development, both here and internationally. Visitors to the Expo will be able to talk to exhibitors from 150 organisations about current and future technological developments.

“We’re talking about things such as generating power from wastewater, achieving net zero carbon emissions, digital technology, modelling and so on.

“But we will need to have the capacity and scale to innovate and modernise. We will also need a highly skilled workforce across a wide range of occupations.”

Keynote speakers at the conference include Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta, Gabrielle Huria, Chief Executive Te Kura Taka Pini, Taumata Arowai Chief Executive Bill Bayfield and former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson.

The conference runs over two and a half days with a pre-conference workshop beginning today. The new water services regulator, Taumata Arowai and the Department of Internal Affairs will focus on the new risk management landscape and other current issues.

See the conference programme.

Keynote and thought leadership presentations will be live-streamed for media. Please contact Debra.harrington@waternz.org.nz tel 027 202 8857 if you would like access to the live streaming or further information.

'Sobering' picture in latest marine report

Ocean acidification, rising sea levels and an increase in sea surface temperatures are part of the "sobering" picture of the current state and future prospects of Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine environment detailed in a new government report.

Read the Ministry for the Environment report

Managed retreat from the ‘parasitic’ creep of climate change

Newsroom's Nikki Mandow reports on how local government election hopefuls are largely ignorant or reluctant around the controversial topic of climate change-induced managed retreat.

Read her report

Latest trends for coastal and estuarine water quality

Stats NZ has published latest trends for coastal and estuarine water quality. It looked at 15 measures indicating ecosystem health, suitability for recreation, and suitability for shellfish/aquaculture. 

Read more

New exterior cleaning Code of Practice

A new Code of Practice has been developed to help exterior cleaners meet best practice in water management, environmental and health and safety standards.

The CoP also covers new & existing property maintenance requirements, work completion standards and best practice retrofit recommendations.

Find out more

Nitrates go under the spotlight in Canterbury

Private water supplies could come under greater scrutiny, amid concerns about nitrates in drinking water.

Read the RNZ report

Micro filtration plant fast-tracked for Timaru as costs increase

Projected costs for a plan to future-proof Timaru's drinking water supply against the growing effects of climate change could increase to as much as $30 million.https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru...

Second Tranche of Drinking Water and Wastewater Network Environmental Performance Measures

Taumata Arowai is consulting on the next phase of drinking water measures as well as the first set of wastewater measures. The first phase of the drinking water environmental performance measures were introduced in July this year.

See the consultation document.

The consultation period ends at 5.00pm on Friday, 25 November.

Te Mana o te Wai

Taumata Arowai will provide an opportunity for comment early next year on giving effect to Te Mana o te Wai and is inviting indications from anyone with an interest in being part of this work.

For further information email korero@taumataarowai.govt.nz

New model shows increased earthquake shaking risks

The likelihood of future earthquake shaking hazard is estimated to have increased throughout most of the country, ranging from almost no change to more than doubling in some areas.

These are the latest findings following the 2022 revision of the National Seismic Hazard Model which calculates the likelihood and strength of earthquake shaking that may occur in different parts of Aotearoa New Zealand over specified time periods.

The model, led by GNS Science, is used to estimate risk and help make risk-based decisions.

Find out more

Whanganui water bottling plans slammed

A Whanganui iwi leader says a plan to extract and sell 750,000 litres a week of groundwater from a bore near the Whanganui River is stealing and confiscation.

Read more

Race to Resilience and Race to Zero Forum concludes with launch of adaptation & resilience breakthroughs and push for new era of climate regulation

  • UN Climate Change High-Level Champions launched Adaptation and Resilience Breakthroughs, which define 11 common goals to make 4 billion climate vulnerable people more resilient to climate hazards by 2030.
  • In addition, publication of a new report, The Pivot Point, co-authored with 40+ expert groups, identifying the types of rules and standards needed to shift from voluntary climate action to standardized and regulated action to enable committed companies to deliver net zero, faster.
  • First ever ‘progress report’ for the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns, providing an honest stocktake of the extent and pace of action so far.

Read the full article here. 

Citizens’ Assembly recommends direct recycled water for Auckland’s future water source

A citizens’ assembly tasked with deciding what should be Tāmaki Makaurau’s next future water source has determined direct recycled water would be the best solution to meet the city’s water needs beyond 2040.

The assembly – a group of 37 Aucklanders representative of the people of the city - based on age, gender, ethnicity, education and home ownership – presented their recommendation to our senior leadership team and board chair Margaret Devlin at Auckland University on Saturday. This follows a series of workshops in which the group explored six different options, and the implications of each.

Read the full article on the Watercare website. 

Eight Iwi and Three Councils’ Partnership Responds to Te Mana o Te Wai in Te Tauihu

Environmental managers from eight Te Tauihu iwi are co-designing a freshwater management framework with the region’s three unitary councils, supported by Our Land and Water, Implementing Te Mana o Te Wai research. The Pou Taiao (iwi environmental managers) have built a new platform for partnership, Te Puna Kōrero ki Te Tauihu, to enable multi-council collaboration to ensure the health of wai in the region is prioritised.

Read the full case study here. 

Scientists release monitoring results for 1,727 river and lake sites across New Zealand

The health of monitored freshwater sites across New Zealand and how it is changing over time has been revealed by the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) project today.

Read the full update on the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website. 

Three Waters on the boil as local elections approach

Water management is shaping up as a major political battleground ahead of local elections next month - and the general election next year.

Opponents and councils decry the government's unpopular proposal or urge caution and delays until the details are settled - but there's little agreement on alternatives, and experts are warning time is running short.

View the full Newshub article here. 

Can Wellington's underground urban streams once again see the light?

Below our feet is a hidden world, a network of streams running through a false habitat of pipes and watercourses.

They’ve been redirected and paved over, their populations of fish and plants confined to the dark where once sun filtered through, allowing streets, footpaths and houses to be built overtop.

Put simply, Wellington’s urban streams are in trouble. About 95% of them are now piped underground, treated like drains for household waste and industrial pollution.

Almost all Wellington’s streams have no better than a C grade for water quality, according to regional council data. People don’t know their stories, or even that they exist.

View the full Stuff article here. 

Wastewater suggested as next water source for Auckland

Also known as sewage, it's the used water from sinks, washing machines, showers, baths and toilets.

The advice will be seriously considered by Watercare, which has already said it would have to have a good reason not to implement the decision.

Read the full 1news article here. 

Revealed: the ‘shocking’ levels of toxic lead in Chicago tap water

One in 20 tap water tests performed for thousands of Chicago residents found lead, a neurotoxin, at or above US government limits, according to a Guardian analysis of a City of Chicago data trove.

Read The Guardian article here.

Waterfowl return as oxidation ponds recover

Head of Three Waters, Helen Beaumont, says that with better-quality wastewater now flowing through the oxidation ponds, the health of the ponds is recovering at a faster rate and the odours are diminishing.

“This week we're excited to see that ponds 5 and 6 have reached our benchmarks for the level of dissolved oxygen and reduced organic loads, and we've be able to turn them ‘green’ on our pond health tracker on the wastewaterfire website,” Ms Beaumont says.

Read the full article on Newsline. 

Water Services Entity Establishment Boards

The Department of Internal Affairs, on behalf of the Minister of Local Government, is calling for expressions of interest for appointments to the four Water Services Entity establishment boards.

Each of the establishment boards will be accountable for transition activities. The establishment boards will provide governance oversight for their respective Water Services Establishment Entity, and be accountable to the Minister of Local Government, with oversight from the National Transition Unit within the Department of Internal Affairs.

You will find further information about how to apply, and more information about the establishment boards, skills requirements, time commitment and fees on the Department of Internal Affairs’ website at Appointments to Statutory Bodies - dia.govt.nz.

To submit your expression of interest, you need to complete the expression of interest form, provide a current curriculum vitae, and a cover letter to threewatersboards@dia.govt.nz by 5.00pm Sunday 16 October 2022. All appointments are subject to background checks. Any queries should be directed to the National Transition Unit, Three Waters Reform Programme Governance and Appointments team at the above email address.

More information about the Three Waters reforms can be found at www.threewaters.govt.nz

Three Waters - Draining debates

Three Waters is the largest local government reform in decades. But in many minds, the rollout has been muddled and mired in controversy. To "unmuddy" Three Waters, three people near to the action speak off-the-record, giving Bruce Munro their take on the reason for the reforms, whether they are a good idea and what they would do differently.

Read the Otago Daily Times article here. 

How restoring NZ’s coastal wetlands could be key in the climate change fight

For many companies, forest carbon offsets have become a way to compensate the environment for the use of its resources. Jihee Junn looks at how the establishment of wetlands, known as blue carbon offsetting, could be an even greener option.

Read more here.

Infrastructure strategy sets a course for the future

The Government has tabled its response to Te Waihanga/New Zealand Infrastructure Commission’s first infrastructure strategy.

Published in June, Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa – New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy 2022–2052 set out the infrastructure challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand over the next 30 years. Read more

'Denitrification' just a pipe dream, or a reality for Waimate council?

Waimate District Council says it has “committed” to building a denitrification plant, but numbers crunched for other Canterbury councils suggest an expensive and complicated venture.  Read more

High nitrate in water warning for Pareora township

A warning is in place for the township of Pareora after recent testing of raw water showed high nitrates, with both nitrate-nitrogen and nitrate, exceeding maximum acceptable values.  Read the Stuff article

Key steps for finance to take to tackle the growing water crisis

Financial institutions must act now to boost water security and to protect themselves from the risks created by the water crisis. Read more

Poo bug makes 80 percent of Taranaki rivers unswimmable

Ongoing contamination by a faecal bug has left just a fifth of Taranaki rivers clean enough to swim in, according to a new assessment for Taranaki Regional Council. Read the Stuff story

Porirua City Council moves forward with draft flood retreat policy

Porirua City Council is moving forward with its flood retreat policy, but how it will be financed is still uncertain. Read the RNZ story

Private well water testing in Selwyn reveals dangerously high nitrate levels

Selwyn residents on private wells turned out in high numbers at a water testing day - with some found to have dangerously high levels of nitrates.  Read more

Ngāi Tahu argues for Three Waters co-governance in Parliament

Ngāi Tahu, the iwi whose takiwā takes in most of the South Island, made a spirited defence of co-governance on Three Waters reforms, pointing out that Māori assets have historically been seized by governments - including for use as council water infrastructure.  Read more

Bill Bayfield resigns as Chief Executive of Taumata Arowai

Taumata Arowai chief executive Bill Bayfield has announced his resignation from the new regulatory authority.

He departs on 27 January.

Read Bill Bayfield's resignation announcement: 

Some of you might recall me talking about my early days at Taumata Arowai – I referred to my role during the establishment phase as being the Chief Executive of a “ghost chips” organisation.

Since then, we have successfully established a new crown entity and begun our role as the water services regulator for Aotearoa New Zealand.

It has been an honour and a privilege to be the establishment CE and then first Te Tumu Whakarae o Taumata Arowai.

The time feels right for me to take on a new challenge and the Board has accepted my decision to resign.

My last day will be 27 January 2023 – this will provide ample time for the Board and team at Taumata Arowai to find a superb replacement.

I have really enjoyed this establishment phase, great mahi that I can really believe in, a great team of initially contactors and now the permanent crew.

I have loved building the whakapapa of Taumata Arowai, this now feels like an organisation set up to deliver for New Zealand in a very New Zealand way.

I look forward to catching up with many of you over the next few months, meanwhile its business-as-usual working with water services to ensure everyone has access to safe reliable water every day.

Ngā mihi nui

Bill Bayfield

Chief Executive

Relocation should be considered for flood-prone towns - environmental engineer

An environmental engineer who helped move an entire Australian town to higher ground after catastrophic flooding says if people are at risk of repeat weather events - then relocation should be on the table.  See the RNZ  report

Water loss mystery prompts Ruapehu council to hunt for illegal takes, offer households $200 free plumbing

A district council is installing dozens of isolation valves across a water network to help solve the mystery of massive water losses. Read the Stuff article

Changes to freshwater management - Northland Regional Council

Sediment and E. coli are the two greatest threats to freshwater health throughout Northland as the deadline for implementing national policy directives to stop further degradation looms.

Read the Council report 

Plea to continue to conserve water in Nelson

Nelson has access to less than half its usual water supply, but there is enough safe drinking water if people stick to “normal usage”, the council says.

Read the Stuff article

Outstanding Three Waters reform matters

In this opinion piece Mark Odlin, a partner at law firm Buddle Finlay and a specialist in corporate and commercial law with expertise in giving advice in a local government and freshwater context, argues there are critical matters that remain outstanding in the Three Waters reform.

Read his comments

Shovel Ready upgrade 'brings pump station into the 21st century'

A structural and telemetric upgrade of two pump stations in Paeroa is the first of Waikato Regional Council’s Shovel Ready infrastructure projects to be completed. 
Read more

Fatberg alert: Wastewater system blockages cause overflows, temporary health warning issued

A temporary health warning has been put in place after sewage overspill flowed into the Mangakakahi Stream on Saturday.

It's prompted a reminder from the Rotorua Lakes Council not to put wet wipes, fat and rags down sinks drains and toilets.

Read the Rotorua Daily Post article 

New Plymouth begins installing water meters for 26,000 homes

New Plymouth has begun an $18 million project to roll out water meters to 26,000 homes in the district.  Read more

Westport community raise stormwater concerns in feedback on $54m flood plan

Westport residents have had their first opportunity to question experts about a potentially ground-breaking business case to ease severe flooding in the town over the next hundred years. Read the RNZ report

Managed retreat from flood-prone part of Whanganui recommended

Natural hazard experts are recommending a part of Whanganui be abandoned due to the ever-increasing risk of flooding, but exactly how landowners could be compensated is up in the air. Read more

Emergency drinking water delivered as nitrate levels exceed acceptable levels in rural Waimate supply

Emergency drinking water supplies have been delivered to parts of the Waimate District as measured nitrate levels have risen past the Drinking Water Standards Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV). Read the Stuff article

Dam plan on life-support seeks next jolt

Consents for a controversial Hawke’s Bay dam are set to be extended without public input, angering environmentalists.

Read the Newsroom story 

Auditor General questions WSE Bill accountability

The Auditor General has raised some concerns over the accountability arrangements and the integration of infrastructural planning in the proposed three waters entities legislation.

Read the submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.

Deep dive on plastics

Last weekend, Wastebusters celebrated the end of Plastic Free July with sold-out movie screenings of For the Blue
Read the ODT report

Christchurch wastewater treatment plant repairs ahead of schedule

The work to remove fire-damaged waste material and concrete from Christchurch's burnt out wastewater treatment plant will be finished a month earlier than expected. Read the RNZ  story

The Mataura River: The tale of Southland's longest awa

Chris Dillon has no worries drinking his whiskey​ with a splash of water from the Mataura River. Read the Stuff feature on Southland's largest river

NZ’s new climate crisis plan: ‘Blueprint for more resilient communities’

For the first time Aotearoa New Zealand has a long-term strategy to deal with the effects of climate change, but the government plan leaves several key questions unanswered. Read more

Wellington facing water shortages

A report in Stuff says that the Wellington region is fast running out of water and “severe” water restrictions are “probable” over summer, Wellington Water has warned local councils in a stark report.  Read more

Pollution: 'Forever chemicals' in rainwater exceed safe levels

New research shows that rainwater in most locations on Earth contains levels of chemicals that "greatly exceed" safety levels.

Read more

Christchurch must 'do a lot more' to improve rivers, with nearly half in poor condition

The quality of Christchurch’s Ōpāwaho/Heathcote and Huritini-Halswell rivers remain poor and more needs to be done to start seeing improvements, the city council’s chief waterways ecologist says.  Read the Stuff story

Showerhead giveaway to stop too much water going down the drain

Tauranga City Council is giving away water-efficient showerheads in hopes of cutting shower times in half.

Read more

New funding for water fluoridation

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has made directions under the Health Act to 14 local authorities to add fluoride to some or all of their water supplies. It is the first time this power has been used since the relevant legislation was amended last year to ensure a national approach to fluoridating water.

Read the Ministry of Health media release 

New drinking water quality assurance rules

Taumata Arowai have published new Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules, which set out what drinking water suppliers need to do to comply with key parts of the Drinking Water Standards and other requirements under the Water Services Act 2021. 

The new Rules come into effect on 14 November 2022.

Read more

Public health experts speak out in support of reforms

As the deadline for submissions on the Water Services Entities Bill comes to a close today, a group of eminent public health professionals have published a joint blog in support of the Three Waters reforms, saying they are are needed to protect public health and ensure changes are economically sustainable and efficient.  Read the blog

The arguments that sank water bottling consents

Why did the Court of Appeal quash consents for water bottling? Newsroom's environment editor, South Island correspondent and investigative writer, David Williams delves into the decision.

Government provides Three Waters support for councils

Every Council in New Zealand will receive at least $350,000 of additional funding to ensure they have the resourcing necessary to implement the Three Waters reforms, Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty announced today. Read the Government media release.

Reinsurers questioning exposure

Fresh from meeting with international reinsurers, Tower CEO Blair Turnbull says they are "questioning whether they want to be down under." Read the article and listen to the interest.co.nz podcast.

Call on Christchurch water fluoridation by end of the year

Christchurch will hear the Government’s intentions on fluoridating the city’s water supply by the end of the year. Read the Stuff article

Drought assistance to Kiribati as drinking water supplies dry up

Threats to the drinking water supplies of Kiribati from a prolonged drought are being targeted with a joint assistance package from Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Read more

Tenant ordered to pay damages after wet wipes clog water pump

A tenant has been ordered to pay a series of costs after wet wipes clogged a water pump at her rental. Read the Herald article.


Wellington Water independent fluoride inquiry

Wellington Water has accepted all of the recommendations from the independent inquiry into why fluoride facilities were turned off at two plants.

Read the details of the inquiry and Wellington Water's response.

Dunedin hospital could be elevated for flood risks

The new Dunedin Hospital could be built up to 2m above street level to account for flood threats, including storm surge and sea level rise.  Read the ODT story 

Nitrate risk to unborn babies to be measured in $1.2 million study of drinking water

Scientists seeking to determine whether nitrates in drinking water have an impact on unborn babies have received $1.2 million to undertake a study of 700,000 births in New Zealand. Read more

Need to do more to reduce plastic pollution in water

1 July 2022

New Zealanders are amongst the highest generators of plastic waste in the world and on top of this there is now concern about the level of microplastics in our water.

As Plastic-free July gets underway, Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says while the recent move to ban many single-use plastics is an important step towards reducing pollution in our waterways, there is an urgent need to do much more.

She says microplastics are a growing concern.

“Plastic fragments from many household products end up being washed down our kitchen and bathroom sinks and laundry pipes, to wastewater treatment plants.

“A lot of microplastic pollution comes from everyday things such as synthetic clothing and furnishing, glitter, sponges, plastic bottles, cosmetics, cleaning products and so on.

“Wastewater treatment plants capture a significant amount of the plastic debris, but microplastic particles – less than five millimetres – often escape through the sieving process into the environment.”

“While this is a global problem, a recent study for Aotearoa New Zealand revealed that microplastics from wastewater treatment plants are a significant contributor to coastal plastic pollution.”

The study, by Canterbury University environmental scientist, Helena Ruffell, was presented at a recent Water New Zealand conference.

It looked at both the influent and effluent of microplastics in three wastewater treatment plants in Canterbury.

Gillian Blythe says that as well as ending up in the ocean environment, microplastics are also present in biosolids which end up on the land.

“The best way to stop microplastics getting into the environment is to stop plastic pollution at source. This means using less plastic.”

She says everyone can play a role by being aware and, where possible, reducing the amount of plastic we use everyday.

“There are many changes we can all make, for instance, switching to loose leaf tea instead of tea bags, avoiding synthetic fibre wherever possible and purchasing a front-loading washing machine when you replace your current one. Front loaders have been found to shed less microfibre as well as use less water.”

It’s been estimated that New Zealanders throw away an around 159 grams of plastic waste per person every day - making us one of the world’s biggest plastic polluters on a population basis.

Economic regulation - challenges and opportunities

The chief executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, Alan Sutherland joined a panel discussion chaired by Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe on the challenges and opportunities of economic regulation for water services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

View the discussion

Dannevirke residents warned against flushing wet wipes

Dannevirke’s sewers are feeling the strain with residents being warned against flushing non-biodegradeables down their loos. Read more

Group aims to improve water quality

The Southland Regional Forum is set to deliver its recommendations on ways to drastically improve freshwater in Southland. Read more

Narrowed Wairau River influencing aquifer recharge levels

New research suggests historic work to narrow the Wairau River could be contributing to declining levels in the recharge aquifer – one of Marlborough’s main water sources. Read more

Govt poaching council staff makes contributing to reforms harder - local govt group

Rural and provincial councils say a shortage of skilled staff is preventing them from meaningfully contributing to the raft of central government reforms.

Read the RNZ report

Rag monsters and fatbergs causing chaos in the Kaipara

Rag monsters and fatbergs are causing chaos for Kaipara District Council and costing ratepayers tens of thousands of dollars to clear up.  Read more

Reforms will provide scale for efficiency - Alan Sutherland

The chief executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, Alan Sutherland says larger, professional organisations allow for increased skills and capital to attract investment.  See the interview on Q and A.

Water Services (Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand) Regulations 2022

New regulations on the maximum acceptable values (MAVs) for the concentration of determinands in drinking water are set to come into force on 14 November 2022.

All drinking water suppliers must ensure that the drinking water they supply complies with the standards which are based in part on the World Health Organization Guidelines.

See the Order in Council 

Aesthetic Values for Drinking Water

The drinking water regulator, Taumata Arowa has issued updated aesthetic values for drinking water

These Aesthetic Values replace the guideline values for aesthetic determinands specified in the Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2018).

See the gazette notice

Water Bill passes first Reading

The Water Services Entities Bill which paves the way for the establishment of the four new regionally-based water entities passed its First Reading in Parliament yesterday.  

Read the Hansard report


Wellington due to have fluoride back in its water by September

Fluoride should be back in Wellington’s drinking water by September, months after fluoridation facilities at the capital’s water treatment plants were turned off.  
Read the Stuff article.

Council ‘gets out of the way’ of rainwater tank installation

Auckland Council plan changes will make it easier for households to install rainwater tanks by removing the costly and time-consuming consent process. Read more

Wetland exposure drafts released

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has released its exposure drafts of proposed changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM) and the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 (NES-F).  Read more

Female staff key to success of country’s critical infrastructure projects

1 June 2022

Critical infrastructure projects across the three waters, civil, energy, and telecommunications sectors rare facing a severe staffing shortage and women are part of the answer.

This is according to Kaarin Gaukrodger, director of Connexis, infrastructure training  provider.  “For example less than 14 percent of New Zealand’s civil construction workforce are women, and the sector’s business owners say finding skilled workers remains its biggest challenge.

“Those types of discrepancies across the country’s infrastructure sector demonstrate a clear need to promote the full range of infrastructure jobs in a way that makes them appealing to women.”

And that is the purpose of Connexis’s annual Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) campaign, offering hundreds of female students the opportunity for hands-on, onsite experience of a wide variety of infrastructure jobs throughout the country.

This year GWHV has a record number of businesses wanting to be involved. Host companies include: HEB Construction, Fletcher Construction, Higgins, Downer NZ, Schick Civil Construction, Waiotahi Contractors, Civtec, Fulton Hogan, Watercare, Marlborough Lines Ltd, Citycare Water, Citycare Property, Nor West Contracting, CPB Contractors, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, John Fillmore Contracting Ltd and Geotechnics.  They will be holding events throughout the country in June.

Gaukrodger says the skills shortage is the biggest challenge facing not only civil, but also the energy, telecommunications and three water sectors.

“The country has a huge pipeline of infrastructure projects, predicted to require tens of thousands of additional workers over the next five years. These are projects like building and repairing major roads, upgrading water pipes, maintaining power lines and delivering faster fibre, that are essential to keeping New Zealand running.

“Without a matching pipeline of skilled workers those projects are at risk of major delays or even failure.  Women remain a largely untapped pool of potential talent for infrastructure businesses.

“By showcasing the potential of the sector to women career seekers we can build the workforce required to complete key projects, grow local infrastructure companies and contribute to the country’s strategic goals in areas like carbon emissions, sustainability and climate.”

Connexis arranges, delivers, supports, and assesses work-based learning for the infrastructure industries as a division of Te Pūkenga’s Work Based Learning subsidiary, New Zealand’s largest tertiary education provider. The sector includes energy, telecommunications and 3waters as well as civil construction.

“The high interest from businesses in this year’s Girls with Hi-Vis® indicates that the industry recognises the benefit of diversity within teams and the opportunity to address the critical skills shortage that is presented by recruiting for women,” says Gaukrodger.

“The challenge now is ensuring women are provided the opportunity to gain a clear picture of all the employment opportunities available and where that can take them in a career.”

GWHV demonstrates to young women the wide range of infrastructure jobs they can do, and build a career on – using practical skills that often involves being out in the elements.

A high number of companies participating in this year’s GWHV come from the civil construction sector. Recent data from Infometrics shows that just 13.9% of that sector’s workforce are women, compared to 46.8% nationally. Meanwhile, a 2021 Construction Industry Survey for Civil Contractors New Zealand and Teletrac Navman found 50% of civil construction business owners said generating a skilled workforce was the biggest challenge their business faced; 80% placed it in the top three challenges.

“If we are to have any hope of meeting that number we must recruit more diversity into the sector and that includes women,” Gaukrodger says.

“It’s not just about filling jobs. By actively trying to build a more diverse workforce, we are bringing in fresh perspectives that create opportunity for innovation. The infrastructure sector will need innovative thinking and new ideas as we tackle some of those ‘big picture’ challenges around sustainability and the environment.”

For a full list of Girls with Hi-Vis® events, inspirational work stories and open day information visit connexis.org.nz/careers/girls-high-vis/

ENDS

Rural water supplies report released

The report from the Rural Supplies Technical Working Group has just been released. The group was set up to look into the concerns over the implications of the reforms on mixed-use rural water supplies.  Read the report and the RNZ story.

Wellington pipe price shock expected to be echoed around the country

A shock 80% increase in the cost to address Wellington’s ageing pipes is expected to be echoed around the country as councils take stock of what replacements will cost in reality.  Read the Stuff article.

Wide range of roles for iwi, hapu and whanau in water sector

Following the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, Water New Zealand board member Troy Brockbank talked on Radio Waatea about the many opportunities and wide range of roles for iwi, hapu, and whanau in the water sector.  Listen to the discussion

We need to put a vital ingredient into the water – democracy

Wellington's Owhiro Bay water activist, Eugene Doyle, was one of the presenters at the Water New Zealand conference in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.  He told the audience about the need for councils and utilities to genuinely work with local communities.  Read the Stuff article

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.  Read more

Water conference focuses on reform challenges

A workshop focusing on the establishment of the four new water entities and the new regulatory changes kicks off the Water New Zealand Conference & Expo in Kirikiriroa Hamilton this morning.

The two-day conference also features the Minister responsible for the water reform programme, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta, who will be an opening keynote speaker.

Other presentations will focus on enabling mana whenua involvement as well as the proposed new economic regulatory environment.

Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe says around 1000 delegates have registered to attend.

"Due to COVID, this is the first time in nearly two years that people from across the three waters sector have been able to get together in one place. Our Stormwater conference last week in Christchurch also attracted a very enthusiastic response.

"We all know that a lot has been happening in the water sector over the past two years and the next two years will continue to see huge change as we transition towards four new regional entities in July 2024.

"The conference is providing a great opportunity to discuss and get answers to questions around the reforms as well as other key issues such as climate change, Te Mana o te Wai, and water quality.

Land purchase to fix North Taranaki's water woes'

Old and private septic tanks seeping into waterways around Urenui and Onaero could be fixed sooner than expected after NPDC agreed to buy 41 hectares of land in the area to build a wastewater treatment plant.  Read more

Māori missing out on 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

Auckland library living roof sets sustainable example

In the largest example on a council-owned building, Auckland Council has installed a living ‘green roof’ featuring more than 2000 plants on top of the central Auckland Library.  Read more 

Local Govt Minister gives keynote address at Stormwater Conference

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. Read the Stuff article

Finnish city taps sewers for energy in sprint for net zero

Famed for its medieval castle and lofty cathedral, Finland's oldest city is winning admirers for a less likely attraction as it strives to be one of the world's first carbon neutral cities by 2029 - a sewage treatment plant.  Read more

Majority of Auckland rivers have high E coli levels, report finds

Over 80% of Auckland’s rivers have high levels of E coli, which could pose widespread human health risks, an expert says.

An annual Auckland Council report, covering the year 2020, tested for E coli, nitrates, metals and rainfall levels. Read the Stuff report

'Pure sewer': Stressed Christchurch community lives under the eternal stench

Residents affected by the Christchurch wastewater plant stench have a chance to air their grievances at a meeting tonight at which the Mayor and some councillors are expected to attend.

Read the Stuff report

Global credit rating agency's assessment released

The Government has released the latest Standard & Poor's assessment of the proposed new water service entities.

See the S&P report and the related Newsroom story - Ratings agency says Govt will bail out Three Waters corporations in a crisis. You can also see the Cabinet papers related to the representation, governance and accountability arrangements of the new water service entities, recently proactively released by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Water Industry Professionals Association

As members are aware, there are a number of initiatives underway relating to industry workforce development. These include, but not limited to, Water Services Act 2021 authorisation requirements, Waihanga Ara Rau’s Workforce Development Strategy, the various Water NZ Competency Frameworks, and the implementation of the Review of Vocational Education (ROVE). The water industry’s workforce is also likely to be further shaped by the 3 Water Reforms due to be implemented over the next 2 - 3 years.

Consequently, the Water Industry Professionals Association’s (WIPA) management committee has agreed for the WIPA to undertake a brief pause while the Industry as a whole goes through this period of change. During this period, training opportunities and courses will still be posted on the WIPA website and current WIPA members will still have their CPD credits acknowledged. WIPA applications already submitted will continue to be processed. However, in the short term, the WIPA will not be accepting new applications. We expect that once we have a direction of where Industry workforce is heading, that an appropriately modified WIPA will be stood up again to take on the challenge of acknowledging the skills, qualifications and experience of the people that work in the water industry.

In the meantime, we still encourage WIPA members to carry on actively undertaking professional development opportunities and continue to seek acknowledgement of those opportunities through the gaining of CPD credits.

Craig Freeman (Acting WIPA Chair),

Nick Hewer – Hewitt (WIOG Chairman)

Gillian Blythe (Water NZ CEO)

Co-governance: Time to get on with it?

The Government's been under pressure to explain what it means by co-governance in the wake of its water and health reforms. 

But as former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Chris Finlayson explains, the concept itself is nothing new. 

Find out more on The Detail

Māori cultural sites among most vulnerable to climate change, rising sea levels

Māori cultural sites will be among the most vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels.

Of the almost 800 marae situated across Aotearoa, 80 percent are built on low-lying coastal land or flood-prone rivers. That means many Māori burial sites and plantations or food sources will be at risk.  Read the Newshub report

Bid to impress with water work

A beefed-up programme of infrastructure planning was designed to help make the Dunedin City Council a "standout" water entity and boost the city’s chances of attracting post-reform investment. Read the ODT story.

Human waste entering Waitangi River from botched sewerage connection

For more than two years a Bay of Islands property has been flushing faeces into the Waitangi River upstream from the intake for Paihia's town water supply. Read the Northern Advocate story.

Megadroughts - how LA is transforming water use

Water restrictions imposed on residents are likely just the first of many measures cities will need to take in order to adapt to shrinking water supplies. Read more

Groundwater: the many challenges of a hidden resource

UNESCO in cooperation with UN-Water is organising a global summit on groundwater in December to raise awareness and help decisionmakers to manage this complex, invisible an often over-exploited resource.

Read more

String of Wellington Water budget requests total $35 million

A new funding request from Wellington Water is the latest in a string of budget increases over the past two months, which total $35 million.

The new request is for an additional $12.6m over the next two years, to fund escalating maintenance problems like pipes bursting. 

Read the Stuff article

New wastewater treatment plant for Wellington

new waste treatment plant, which will dramatically reduce volumes of sludge being disposed of at Wellington’s Southern Landfill, is expected to be funded through new ratepayer levies. Read the Stuff story

Three Waters: Maria Nepia - the wahine adding the Māori magic

Maria Nepia is the wahine who will ensure Māori voices will be seen and heard when the Three Waters reforms are completed and the legislation becomes law.  Read the Herald article

Wellington to introduce new performance indicators

Greater Wellington Regional Council will introduce a new key performance indicator for drinking water, following revelations fluoride was switched off without anyone knowing.    Read the Stuff article

Over a million Kiwis don't have safe drinking water

The 2020/21 drinking water report details compliance by all providers with drinking water standards.

It reveals that just 78% of the population - 3.2 million people - received drinking water that met all Health Ministry standards. Find out more

Mackenzie's water use dramatically higher than most districts

The latest report card on New Zealand’s water has been released, with the Mackenzie district standing out for all the wrong reasons.

Mackenzie’s average daily residential water use is far and away the highest of the 40 councils that provided information to Water New Zealand’s National Performance Review 2020 – 2021Read the Stuff article

Christchurch infrastructure design makes fluoridation 'cost significantly more

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe said the number of pump stations in Christchurch meant fluoridation would be “more resource-intensive” than elsewhere. Read the Stuff article. 

Three Waters rhetoric damages council-iwi relations

A first, fragile attempt at Māori co-governance is tearing apart, as Ngāi Tahu threatens to walk away from its partnership with three of the South Island's biggest councils. Read the Newsroom report

Can we flood-proof our homes?

Forget about putting bigger pipes underground to stop a repeat of the damaging flash flooding that hit Auckland last week.  

In most cases, it wouldn’t have made a difference, says flood expert Jon Rix, the head of the water engineering team at environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin + Taylor.  Listen to The Detail on RNZ

Springfield residents told to 'sit and wait' for fresh water supply one year on

"Our existing water supplies are facing a variety of pressures at the moment. Climate change is one of them ... we know that the West Coast is going to get wetter.... population growth is another pressure and ageing infrastructure is another." Lesley Smith, Water New Zealand .

Go to the RNZ story and listen to the Morning Report item.

Māori involvement in three waters governance is an opportunity to share knowledge, culture and expertise

Ensuring clean, equitable, affordable water services for everyone, while protecting human health and the environment, should be bottom lines for all communities. 

Read the column  by the chair of Ngāti Kahungunu iwi, Ngahiwi Tomoana, published in Stuff.


High Court rules against council on water for dairy sheds

A new High Court judgment has confirmed that it was appropriate for the Environment Court to factor in potential contamination of groundwater from dairy sheds when considering the term of a water consent.

Read this report from the Newsroom's David Williams
.

Urgent need to change the narrative on Three Waters

Water NZ’s latest National Performance Review is a stark reminder why we need to get beyond the politics of Three Waters reform and get on with solving our dire water infrastructure problems.

Read the Newsroom report by business editor Nikki Mandow and her discussion on RNZ's nine to noon programme.

Strategy points to need for many more skilled workers

Up to 9000 new skilled workers may be needed over the next three decades to ensure as thriving Three Waters sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This was highlighted in the recent Three Waters Workforce Development Strategy report released this week.  

Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe spoke on Morning Report about the need for a highly skilled workforce to help address the infrastructure deficit to ensure safer drinking water and a cleaner environment.

World Water Day - Groundwater, making the invisible visible

Today is World Water Day 2022 and the theme is Groundwater. Out of sight, under our feet, groundwater is a hidden treasure that enriches our lives but it is under serious stress due to over-use and other human activities on the land. 

To mark World Water Day, we have launched our new podcast series: Tāwara o te Wai - Water Talk.

In our  first episode, Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe talks to three groundwater experts Louise Weaver from ESR, Geoff Williams from Wellington Water and Koos Wieriks from the Netherlands. 

Listen on spotify


Two thirds of rural bore samples above cancer risk level for nitrates

A rural Canterbury family has spent nearly $13,000 trying to make their drinking water safe, but their water-nitrate levels are still higher than they would like. Read the Stuff article 

NZ’s chemical monitoring slated in Commissioner’s report

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton says Aotearoa New Zealand only surveys ground water once in four years for pesticides, but not neonicotinoids.

There is growing global concern over neonic levels in surface water, and he has recommended further soil, groundwater and surface water monitoring in areas with neonicotinoid use to improve understanding of environmental contamination.

Read the article in Farmers' Weekly

Report puts Three Waters ownership back in community hands

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says one of the most important things about the three waters reform, and particularly about the latest recommendations, is the consistency they aim to provide. Read the Newsroom article

Water runs clear after $10 million project

After $10 million and three years of hard work by New Plymouth District Council (NPDC), Inglewood’s water is running clear again. Read more

Climate crisis: grim predictions in latest IPCC report

Climate change impacts in Aotearoa New Zealand are real and future risks are high, according to the latest report released today by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  Read this report in The Conversation.

Development stymied in three Christchurch suburbs because sewers can't cope

Three Christchurch suburbs face limited housing development in future because their sewerage systems are at capacity and expensive to upgrade. Read the Stuff article.

BOP river rediversion wins major award

A collaborative project to make Te Awa o Ngātoroirangi / Maketū estuary healthier for people to swim and fish in has won two ACE Awards.  Read more

New senior appointments to the Three Waters programme

23 Feb 2022

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has announced the appointment of  two new executive directors for the Three Waters reform programme.

Hamiora Bowkett (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa, Te Rarawa) will lead the reform programme, as set out in the Water Services Bill. He is a senior leader with 21 years’ experience across the public and private sectors.  Hamiora joins the team from Te Puni Kōkiri, where he is Deputy Secretary Strategy, Finance and Performance. Hamiora has also worked at partner and executive director level at PWC and EY.

Heather Shotter will head the National Transition Unit, responsible for establishing the four new water services entities that will deliver the three waters programme.

She joins the team from Palmerston North City Council where she is currently chief executive, and was previously executive director of the Committee for Auckland, which promotes positive social and economic development.

The DIA’s has also named the member of the Three Waters National Transition Unit Board, tasked with advising on the transition and establishment of the water services entities.  They are:

· Sir Brian Roche (chair) has direct experience in the establishment and operation of organisations. His roles over many years have created a skill base and perspective directly related to many of the complex financial, operational and policy issues associated with the successful establishment of the entities. He chairs Waka Kotahi NZTA and the COVID-19 Independent Continuous Review, Improvement and Advice Group.

· John Duncan has extensive experience in management and global financial markets, including banking and risk management. He is a Deputy Chair of Kāinga Ora and the Public Trust, and an advisor to Auckland City Council on funding, risk management, and balance sheet and capital issues.

· Fiona Mules started her career as an investment banker specialising in transactions and valuations. After a decade in the private sector, Fiona was brought in by Treasury to help establish a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) programme in New Zealand. Fiona is currently an independent director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Lyttelton Port Company and Rural Livestock. She is also a Member of the Southern Response Earthquake Services Independent Oversight Committee for government.

· Rukumoana Schaafhausen (Ngati Haua) is a lawyer with significant governance experience. She was recently the Chair of Te Arataura, Waikato-Tainui and is currently serving across a number of Iwi, community, private and public organisations in governance roles including Contact Energy, AgResearch, Miro Berries, Te Waharoa Investments, Tindall Foundation and The Princes Trust.

· Richard Wagstaff is the President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU). He was previously NZCTU Vice President and National Secretary of the Public Service Association. He is also a member of the International Labour Organisation’s Governing Body.

· Peter Winder is an experienced director, chief executive and senior manager in local and central government and the private sector. He is a Council Member and Establishment Board Member of Te Pūkenga, the Chair of Unitech and Manukau Institute of Technology. He is also a former Chief Executive of Auckland Regional Council and Local Government New Zealand.

Water Conference begins

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Taumata Arowai chief executive Bill Bayfield were the two opening keynote speakers at the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo which got underway this morning.

Part one of the conference, held online due to COVID restrictions, runs until Friday 4 March and Part Two will take place at Claudelands  in Hamilton and will be a face to face event (May 25-26). 

See the programme

International plastic pollution treaty risks being watered down

Following years of discussions, support for a global treaty to stem the tide of plastic pollution is now widespread, with 75% of UN member states backing the idea. 

See SciBlogs guest author article by Trisia Farrelly from Massey University

Water Conference underway

Water conference tackles reform and other key issues

21 February 2022

Three waters reforms, ensuring resilience and managing assets will be key topics under discussion at the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo which gets underway this week  (23 Feb-4 March).

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual conference has been split into two parts – online starting this week and face to face in Hamilton in May (25-26).

Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe says the three waters are facing once in a generation changes and it is vitally important that the people working at the forefront are able to come together, scrutinise and discuss these reforms.

“The reforms provide a vital opportunity to future proof our water resources and services and ensure a healthy sustainable environment for future generations.

“Our conferences are  key events on the Three Waters calendar. It is vital that our members, who work across a wide range of areas, are able to keep up to date with the reform process and other key issues.

She says there is an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise amongst the association’s 2600 members and the conference creates the opportunity for their voices to be heard and understood.

“We are facing huge challenges, from the effects of climate change, to the need to improve the quality of our water so that we have a healthy sustainable environment for the future, through to ensuring a highly skilled, capable workforce.

“Te Mana o te Wai will underpin our work and we all need to fully understand how to give effect to this new approach.  That’s why we have been working hard to support our members in this important transition.”

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta, who’s leading the three waters reforms, will be speaking at the opening of the conference, followed by Bill Bayfield, chief executive of the new regulatory authority, Taumata Arowai.

Preceding the conference will be a workshop (Tuesday 22 February) run by Taumata Arowai and the Department of Internal Affairs National Transition Unit where participants will be able to discuss and unpack details of the changes with senior officials.

See the conference programme

Water feature is at the heart of new council subdivision

Palmerston North’s newest subdivision in Kelvin Grove is providing not only new sections, but an illustration of modern stormwater management.  Read the Stuff story

Tainui rejects doubling of Auckland water take from Waikato River

Waikato-Tainui is appealing a decision allowing Auckland to take 300 million litres of water from the Waikato River every year.  Read more

Erosion control needed for Havelock sewage treatment plant after floods

Emergency works are needed at Havelock's sewage treatment plant, after last year's major flood event caused significant erosion. Read the RNZ story 

Septic tank system flush with success

A collection of 45,000 septic tanks wouldn’t usually trigger excitement, but for Lizzie Johnson and her Healthy Waters team it was like winning Lotto. Read more

Aerators to deal with smell at fire-damaged wastewater plant

Several aeration machines are arriving at Christchurch's wastewater treatment plant to help combat the stench coming from the fire-damaged facility.  Read the story

Ensuring critical water supply though Omicron

Water supply businesses and organisations can now register online as a critical service if they think they will meet the criteria when we enter Phase 2 of the Government's Omicron, COVID-19 response. 

Find out more and go to the Government website.

Health warning after toxic blue-green algae found in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere

Cantabrians are being urged to stay away from one of the most polluted lakes in the country and keep their pets from the water after the discovery of potentially toxic algae. Read the Stuff article

$350m not enough to improve Christchurch rivers, another $112m is needed

The health of Christchurch’s urban rivers will continue to worsen without a further investment of $112 million over the next decade, city leaders have been warned. Read the Stuff article

High levels of manganese confirmed as main culprit of Timaru's water discolouration

Algae that was initially thought to be the main cause of Timaru’s drinking water discolouration woes has now been ruled out as the lead culprit with high levels of manganese taking the blame.  Read the Stuff article

To mow or let it grow?

One hour of watering your lawn is the equivalent of one day of household use of water - Selwyn District Council.

Listen to Dr Bruce Burns, a plant ecologist at the University of Auckland, talking on RNZ to Kathryn Ryan.

 

PFAS contamination: Scientists keen to find source of pollutants in urban water systems

Longlasting pollutants linked to health scares overseas have been found in this country's urban water systems for the first time.  Read the RNZ story

Tauranga pig farmer facing jail time over illegal harbour earthworks for makeshift 'park'

A Tauranga man who tried to use construction waste to build a makeshift ‘park’ into Tauranga Harbour is facing a stint in jail.  Read the Stuff article

Need for appropriate economic regulatory model

We want to address the infrastructure deficit, we want to improve compliance with drinking water rules. And we want to improve the environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater - Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe. Read the Newsroom article 

Toxic algae warnings across the region from Kāpiti to Hutt Valley and Wairarapa

Warm weather and low river flows have created the perfect conditions for toxic algae to flourish, with new warnings issued across the region. Read more

Auckland urged to act as 'good citizens' of the Waikato River as water take doubles

Auckland mayor Phil Goff​ says he’s determined to reduce his city’s reliance on the Waikato River, with the recycling of waste water into drinking water an option.  Watercare has been granted approval to double its water take from the Waikato River despite opposition from Hamilton, the Waikato River Authority and river iwi.

Read the Stuff article

Water New Zealand's Insights and Sustainability Advisor Lesley Smith says purifying wastewater for reuse is something that could be considered to diversify water sources.

She says in New Zealand wastewater is recycled and used on golf courses or in  horticulture use but not for drinking water.

"It's recycled into drinking water in places such as Singapore.  If there are pressures on water supply, like New Zealand is starting to see, it's important to value fresh water and reusing wastewater is part of that.

Algae likely to be growing problem due to climate change - Noel Roberts

Timaru has had discoloured drinking water for close to a month that the council believes is caused by a non-toxic cyanobacteria, or algae, in the secondary water source.

Water New Zealand technical manager Noel Roberts says algae may become more of a problem in the future due to climate change.

Read the RNZ story

Toxic algae possibly widespread in Southland rivers

Environment Southland’s latest monitoring has found high levels of toxic algae at the Aparima River at Otautau.

Read more

Council staff work to reduce stink from fire-damaged wastewater plant

City council staff are still working to reduce offensive smells coming from Christchurch’s fire-damaged wastewater treatment plant. Read the Stuff article

The global war against plastics

An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans each year. That’s a garbage truck and a half of plastic every minute of every day.  Read this update from Gordon Campbell about the enormous global challenge to reduce plastic pollution.

 

Calls grow for rāhui to have greater legal recognition

A group representing 80 iwi is calling for greater legal recognition of rāhui, similar to Covid-19 restrictions, to prevent people from ignoring them. Read the TVNZ story

Govt seeks feedback on National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water

Associate Minister for the Environment Kiri Allan is urging all New Zealanders to give feedback on proposed changes aimed at making drinking water safer.

Read the Minister's media release.

Palmerston North gears up for $496m wastewater upgrade

The city is gearing up to have the most modern wastewater treatment system in New Zealand.

Read the Stuff article

Climate emergency - water sector needs to be part of the solution

Emissions reduction needs to be a critical part of the Three Waters future.

Water NZ CEO Gillian Blythe says that while mitigation and adaptation to climate change is vital, the reforms provide a much-needed opportunity to pave the way for real action to reduce emissions.

Read more

Government offers concessions to councils in Three Waters reforms

The Government has offered major concessions in water reforms, that will make new water corporations accountable to even the smallest councils.  Read the Newsroom report and the exposure draft of the new Water Services  Entities Bill.

Close to 60 people hospitalised from 2016 Havelock North gastro outbreak, study finds

More people than previously reported were hospitalised as a result of the 2016 campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North, a new study has found. Read the Stuff report 

Waitarere Beach off limits due to stinky stormwater

Horizons Regional Council environmental monitoring scientist Kelly Le Quesne said the situation has highlighted the need to ensure all public no-swimming notices were widely and promptly circulated.

Read the Horowhenua Chronicle report

Extreme weather event project

Thanks to funding from MBIE, researchers from five organisations — MetService, Niwa, Bodeker Scientific, Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Canterbury — have begun a New Zealand project called Extreme Weather Event Real-time Attribution Machine (EWERAM).  Read the ODT editorial

Bad smells from Christchurch's fire-ravaged wastewater plant to continue for years

Bad smells reminiscent of the 1970s and 80s will continue seeping out of Christchurch’s fire-damaged wastewater treatment plant for years to come, the city council says. Read the Stuff article.

E-Clean bioreactor could hold answer to clean waterways

A low-cost water filtration system that uses a collection of bacteria to remove nitrates, phosphates and E. coli may be the answer to cleaning up our lakes and rivers. Read more

New Zealand tops new study testing for designer drugs in wastewater

New Zealand has topped an international study of traces of illegal designer drugs in wastewater during last year's peak summer holiday period break. Read the Herald story. 

Time for NZ to act on ‘forever chemicals’

There's another public health emergency and it revolves around 'forever chemicals' found in many things commonly used in everyday life and linked to serious health concerns, writes Lokesh Padhye of the University of Auckland.  Read the Newsroom article

Community groups gather data to revitalise Waimatā River

The Waimatā Catchment Group, research teams and community members discussed ideas on revitalising the Waimatā River.

Two community hui were held earlier this year and themes such as mātauranga-based projects (Māori knowledge), education, stopping river pollutants, planting and pest control were recognised as areas that needed to be worked on.

Read the Gisborne Herald story

Climate change made flooding in Canterbury more severe - researchers

Researchers studying the effects of climate change on severe weather events in New Zealand have found that the extreme rainfall that brought flooding to Canterbury in May was 10 to 15 per cent more intense as a result of human influence on the climate system.  Read the Stuff story 

Mauri model decisionmaking framework

Mihi mai ki a Dr Te Kīpa Kēpa Morgan, a professional engineer, who’s inspiring a different value system that he says can help humanity thrive and safeguard the sustainability of our planet.  Read more

Christchurch's water could still be chlorinated even with an exemption

Chlorine could still remain in Christchurch’s water supply even if the city manages to gain an exemption from a new law mandating the disinfectant.  Read the Stuff story

Forum behind efforts to clean up Manawatū River nets river health award

A decade-long mission to clean up one of New Zealand’s sickest waterways has led to top honours.

The Manawatū River Leaders' Forum won the supreme award for catchment with most progress towards improved river health at the Cawthron New Zealand River Awards on Thursday.  Read the Stuff report.

$6.9m cost increase for Lake Dunstan water scheme

Construction of the Lake Dunstan Water treatment plant and bore field is projected to cost $6.9 million more than originally forecast. Read the ODT story

Water Asset Management Forum 2021

The need to encourage behaviour change, prioritisation and understanding the importance of strong infrastructure strategies were some of the key topics under discussion at last week’s Water Asset Management Forum in Wellington. 

The joint Water New Zealand/IPWEA New Zealand event attracted up to 70 participants – both online as well as those who took the opportunity to meet in person. 

Other current topics facing the sector included an open session on Three Waters Reform, economic regulation as well as how the concept of Te Mana o te Wai will help support improvements in water quality and managing water assets. 

Taumata Arowai to take a "phased in approach"

Taumata Arowai Chief Executive Bill Bayfield says the new regulator will work closely with the water sector to lift performance.

It will take a "phased-in approach, with focus in the first year on those suppliers currently registered with the Ministry of Health".  Read more


New era in safer drinking water

15 November 2021

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says the new water services regulator, Taumata Arowai, will play a crucial role in ensuring all New Zealanders have access to safe drinking water.

The new Crown entity officially takes over today from the Ministry of Health as the country’s new stand-alone drinking water regulator with oversight of wastewater and stormwater to come late 2023.

“This is the beginning of a new era. Our members have known for many years that there has been a need for a more consistent regulatory approach to help improve the safety and quality of drinking water across the country.”

The establishment of Taumata Arowai follows the recommendations of the inquiry into the 2016 Havelock North contamination event in which four people died and more than five thousand became ill from drinking water contaminated with campylobacter.

“Nobody wants to see a repeat of Havelock North.”

She says that Water New Zealand is looking forward to continuing its strong relationship with the new regulator.

“We have been working with Taumata Arowai chief executive Bill Bayfield and his team for well over a year while the new organisation was in development. It is vital that there is good communication between our members and regulator and that the new rules are transparent and workable.

“We’ve had a huge response to our information webinars from members in recent months and this indicates the level of interest and thirst for knowledge about the new regulatory environment.

“We will continue to be a conduit between the sector and the regulatory authority.

“There are a lot of emerging and challenging issues that can have an impact on both drinking water quality and the environment from waste and stormwater.

“That is why a big focus for us will be continuing to support our members to give effect to Te Mana o te Wai to help protect the health and wellbeing of water.”

Reforms provide opportunities for Matauranga Māori

One of the Maori representatives on the Three Waters working group says that the reform process provides an opportunity to improve water quality and council relationships through concepts such as Matauranga Māori.

Ngahiwi Tomoana Ngaati Kahungunu representing the rohe ‘C’ discusses the challenges on Waatea News

Working group to ensure local voice in Three Waters reform

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the establishment of a working group made up of local government and iwi representatives to recommend strengthened governance and accountability arrangements for the Three Waters Reform Programme. Read the Minister's media release

Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill passes final reading in Parliament

A bill transferring control of water fluoridation from local councils to the director-general of health has passed its final reading in Parliament. Read the RNZ report

Nitrate contamination may cause 40 NZ deaths a year - study

Up to 100 cases of bowel cancer, and 41 deaths, may be caused by nitrate-contaminated drinking water each year - with around 800,000 Kiwis exposed to levels that international studies deem a risk, new research finds. Read the Herald article. Read the Herald story.

Homegrown poo-eating bugs that will make wastewater treatment greener

n the bowels of the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant, a team of engineers diligently grow small poo-eating organisms which will help pave the way to a greener future. Read the Stuff article.

Water industry joins forces in global call for investment to tackle process emissions

5 November 2021

Water industry joins forces in global call for investment to tackle process emissions

  • Governments called upon to support the water sector in going further and faster to reduce emissions from processing wastewater.
  • Boosting investment in research would accelerate the sector’s transition to net zero.

5 November, Glasgow: Water industry trade bodies around the world have joined forces in a call for investment to tackle the emissions associated with processing wastewater.

Process emissions occur when wastewater is treated before returning it to the environment, producing several by-products including the potent greenhouse gases nitrous oxide, biomethane and carbon dioxide.

Water UK, EurEau, the US Water Alliance, the Water Services Association of Australia, and Water New Zealand call for Governments and the global water industry to commit to working together to tackle process emissions, which constitute around half of the water sector’s total emissions.

By working together, Governments can help to secure long-term funding to enable water companies to go further and faster in reducing processing emissions.

Supporting the call to action are:

  • Water UK
  • US Water Alliance
  • Water Services Association of Australia
  • Water New Zealand
  • Danish Water and Wastewater Association (DANVA)
  • EurEau
  • UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR)
  • Global Water Research Coalition
  • Mott MacDonald
  • Jacobs
  • Royal HaskoningDHV
  • Cobalt Water Global
  • Unisense
  • Professor Jason Ren, Paul Busch Award Winner on Water GHG emission Research, Princeton University

The group are also committed to establishing:

  1. 1. a research directory to help accelerate the sector’s global efforts to reduce nitrous oxide and methane emissions
  2. 2. a global forum to share research conclusions and collaborate on future activity to expedite the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Christine McGourty, CEO of Water UK, said:

“The water sector cannot play its full part in net zero without the reduction of emissions from processing wastewater. Governments around the world need to concentrate their efforts on one of the great challenges of our time, emulating the success of wind power, enabling a step change of technology at systems-scale.

Developing and investing in the best solutions will also unlock new materials for the circular economy, and help others decarbonise.”

Mami Hara, CEO of the US Water Alliance, said:

In addressing the climate crisis, we all win or we all lose. As the global water community accelerates climate mitigation efforts, we must continue to come together to share critical information and innovative strategies on how best to do so.

In 2021, we launched a national Imagination Team with 36 diverse representatives creating a shared vision and pathway for greenhouse gas reductions across the US water sector. It is so exciting seeing water stakeholders step up to be part of the climate solution. Process emissions remain a significant challenge, and we’re proud to collaborate across the globe on this important area and ensure a more equitable, sustainable future for all.”

Adam Lovell, Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia, said:

“We know that fugitive emissions from wastewater processing is one of the significant challenges ahead – if we can all work together and play our part, we can meet this challenge, with typical water industry perseverance and innovation.”

Lesley Smith, Insights and Sustainability Advisor, Water New Zealand said:

“Wastewater process emissions can be a large proportion of emissions controlled by public sector organisations, many of whom have set ambitious climate reduction targets. The drivers are in place. What is missing is the science. With a better understanding of these emissions sources, this is an area we can make real gains in emissions reduction.

Ultimately, we need to transition from a wastewater to resource recovery mindset. The shift has the potential to transform our wastewater assets from net greenhouse gas producers to carbon sinks, enabling a range of broader environmental gains.”

Oliver Loebel, Secretary General, EurEau, said:

The European water sector is making significant efforts to reduce its emissions footprint. Nitrous oxide (N2O) - one of the by-products of wastewater treatment - for example, has a greater global warming potential than methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). We need to identify the mitigation measures that we can implement which will have the most impact, and prioritise these.

Our government leaders should need to focus on climate neutrality and not only on energy neutrality. By doing so, a balance is needed between energy efficiency and renewable energy generation on the one hand and reducing N2O and methane emissions on the other. This is crucial to ensure that the benefits of energy efficiency are not reduced by large-scale emissions of N2O and methane from i.e. energy recovery.

We need committed investment in infrastructure and innovation to realise our zero GHG emission goal and potential contribution our sector can make to a sustainable, affordable future for us all. 

Carl-Emil Larsen, CEO of DANVA, Danish Water and Wastewater Association

The Danish Ministry of Environment and the Danish water companies have jointly stated a goal for an energy- and climate neutral water sector in 2030.

Furthermore there is a political agreement from the Danish Parliament, that all wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)   above 30.000 PE must reduce their NO2 emission with 50 % starting from 2025. A new report about CH4-emission from biogas plants situated on the WWTP shows, that the emission is 5 times higher than earlier expected. Therefore is it very important for us as well as the global water sector, that we get new tools and technology for reducing our GHG-emissions.

Steve Kaye, CEO of UK Water Industry Research, said:

Our recent research has shown that it is not easy to remedy this situation based on existing research. There are wide ranges in emission estimates, and very few field-based studies on which to base any revised emissions factors. We need to address this global knowledge gap by generating robust emission data for individual wastewater treatment processes to enable appropriate control measures to be identified.

Maria Manidaki, Global Technical Lead for Net Zero at Mott MacDonald and co-author of the Water UK 2030 Net Zero Routemap, said:

“Process emissions from wastewater operations, mainly methane and nitrous oxide, are one of the sector’s biggest decarbonisation challenges around the world. Exploiting novel treatment technologies, digital tools and improving operational responses will have a role in cutting these. However, to make informed investment decisions we first need to understand the source of these emissions, their magnitude and seasonal characteristics before we can adequately mitigate them. Immediate investment in mass monitoring systems would help the water sector unlock the necessary science and accelerate efforts to a net zero transition in the most cost-effective way.”

Amanda Lake, Head of Process, Water Europe, Jacobs, said:

“Process emissions are the largest source of carbon emissions from the urban water cycle as we decarbonise electricity. If we focus on asset health and process optimisation, and trial innovative modelling and circular economy treatment processes, we will find we have practical solutions to monitor and mitigate methane and nitrous oxide today. There is much to learn from around the world. It is exciting – and necessary – and we must do it together, now.”

Ellen van Voorthuizen, Lead Consultant Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Royal HaskoningDHV said:

“The water sector does play a vital role in the daily life of many people as they are responsible for water and wastewater services. To full fill this responsibility in the future, the sector wants to step up and reach Net Zero Carbon in 2030”.

Patrick Decker, CEO of Xylem said:

“We believe technology solutions and partnerships will be key to address the climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges the water sector faces. As a trusted global water technology provider we look to partner with utilities, industrial users of water and others to ensure we are advancing the most innovative technologies and effectively reduce emissions associated with processing wastewater. Together, the water sector will serve as example of accelerated and effective transition to net zero.”

Jose Porro, CEO of Cobalt Water Global, said:

“We have the knowledge and tools to start addressing water sector process emissions today, so it is now our responsibility to immediately start taking action.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

US Water Alliance

The US Water Alliance is a national organization advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable and equitable water future for all. Our network of over 150 members is transforming the way our nation views, values, and manages water.

Our Climate Action Through One Water Initiative unites diverse interests in the water sector, including utilities, consulting firms, local government agencies, environmental organizations, community partners, and social practice artists, to address the climate crisis and foster equitable solutions through adaptation, resilience, and mitigation strategies.

As part of this initiative, the Alliance is leading a sector-wide team in an Imagination Challenge to set goals for climate mitigation through water and identify strategic paths to get there, including how to address process emissions. A second phase of this work will kick off in 2022 working with water and wastewater utilities in the US to implement these strategies.

Water New Zealand

Water New Zealand has been working to support wastewater service providers to determine their greenhouse gas emissions. To this end we have developed guidance on determining wastewater emissions and begun benchmarking greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater.

The guide is available to be purchased at this link: Carbon Accounting Guidelines for Wastewater Treatment: CH4 and N2O https://www.waternz.org.nz/Article?Action=View&Article_id=2078.

A link to a free webinar outlining content of the guide and subsequent questions flowing from their development is available here: https://www.waternz.org.nz/Article?Action=View&Article_id=2087

The guidelines have been developed our Climate Change Group, a network or New Zealand water professionals who have formed to ensure the New Zealand water sector plays its part in adapting and limiting the worst impacts of climate change. We are now developing researcher partnerships to further knowledge gaps identified in our guideline, and welcome further collaboration with the international community to this end.

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR)

UKWIR has been working on several UK based projects on process emissions. The latest is on quantifying and reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment processes in the UK and Ireland. This will help address the knowledge gaps in actual emissions from wastewater treatment processes used in the UK and Ireland and identify potential measurement, reporting and control measures. Essentially it will be a `proof of concept’ trial that can be widened to further validate a new approach for water and wastewater companies to adopt.

Professor Jason Ren, Paul Busch Award Winner on Water GHG emission Research, Princeton University

Dr. Z. Jason Ren is the winner of the 2021 Paul L. Busch Award from the Water Research Foundation (WRF). With the $100,000 research prize, Dr. Ren will develop an inventory and digital tools to easily measure and track greenhouse gas emissions from the wastewater sector. A video explaining his award can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_1ymS6GwAw

Dr. Ren is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University in New Jersey. He is a leading expert on the water-energy nexus and has received notable recognitions, including the 2020 Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers for “producing groundbreaking technological advancements that are transforming water infrastructure for energy and resource recovery.”

Dr. Ren’s proposed research articulates an actionable approach to modernize wastewater treatment toward decarbonization and digitization. He understands the critical needs of the water and wastewater sectors in developing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission monitoring and mitigation programs, considering the sector’s commitment to energy efficiency and GHG emission reductions. Dr. Ren plans to leverage state-of-the-art sensing technologies to measure emissions from specific sites, and then use machine learning (ML) tools to derive industry trends from the new data. Dr. Ren was selected because of his novel, data-driven approach to quantifying emissions, and the tools and web applications he plans to create to make that data usable by water utilities looking to manage the emissions from their facilities.

Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a US$2bn engineering, management and development consultancy whose purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything they do; relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients' businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. Responding to climate change is embedded in its work, core to its operations and projects. The consultancy looks at everything through a climate lens, and seeks out new and more effective solutions to the climate challenge.

Its strong global water team works closely with clients across the water sector value chain shape and implement their decarbonisation plans. Mott MacDonald’s work on process emissions ranges from supporting the development of the New Zealand wastewater emissions guidelines to its involvement in developing the Water UK 2030 Net Zero Routemap and supports individual water utilities with their decarbonisation plans.

In the absence of monitoring information, Mott MacDonald is helping clients assess the range of process emissions and delivering solutions to manage those through the use of digital tools and novel wastewater treatment technologies. The consultancy has a long track record in implementing solutions for effective biosolids management and resource recovery and has also been working closely with supply chain partners to explore more agile ways for monitoring process emissions in wastewater treatment.

Mikkel Holmen Andersen, Chief Technology Officer of Unisense said:

Today, nitrous oxide process emissions from wastewater treatment are by far the biggest scope 1 water sector challenge. There is massive talent and engineering power in the water sector but to tackle the problem, we need governments to provide funds and incentives to decouple ‘return of investment’ from process emission mitigation technologies unless we induce regulations and carbon taxes on process emissions.

Royal HaskoningDHV

Royal HaskoningDHV has been involved in the research on greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants since 2008 in the Netherlands. Based on these research activities we see opportunities to reduce the emission of methane and nitrous oxide straight away via:

  • · Capturing the emitted methane from sludge storage tanks after sludge digestion and valorize the methane in a sustainable energy source.
  • · A robust design and operation of the wastewater treatment plant to avoid high levels of nitrous oxide emission and in the meantime sustain or even improve the effluent quality.

Cobalt Water Global

Cobalt Water Global is providing AI and machine learning platform to mitigate N2O emissions from wastewater treatment works. Implementing their approach, they have reduced up to 70 percent of the total process emissions from just making smart process adjustments.  They have launched the We Can Stop N2O Emissions Challenge with an interim goal of reducing 25k tons of CO2e by next Climate Week NYC and are giving free access to their platform for the first five to join the challenge by the end of COP26. https://youtu.be/3N7N-O0QHxU

Full list of signatories includes:

  • Water UK
  • US Water Alliance
  • Water Services Association of Australia
  • Water New Zealand
  • EurEau
  • Danish Water and Wastewater Association (DANVA)
  • UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR)
  • Global Water Research Coalition
  • Mott MacDonald
  • Jacobs
  • Royal HaskoningDHV
  • Cobalt Water Global
  • Unisense
  • Professor Jason Ren, Paul Busch Award Winner on Water GHG emission Research, Princeton University

For more information contact:

  • · Delyth Bowen on dbowen@water.org.uk or +44 (0) 7557 018446
  • · Isabella Wilson on iwilson@water.org.uk or +44 (0) 7342 882946


Water industry trade bodies around the world have joined forces in a call for investment to tackle the emissions associated with processing wastewater.  

Minister explains water reforms

After "two decades of kicking the can down the road", the Government is proposing a quantum shift in the way water services are to be delivered.

Local Government Minister, Nanaia Mahuta told RNZ's Kathryn Ryan why the Government has decided to embark on the Three Waters reforms.  Listen here.

How producing milk turned a lake bright orange

In the latest in the series of This is How it Ends, Stuff focuses on how intensive agriculture, fertilisers and nitrates as well as poor storm and wastewater infrastructure is destroying the health of our lakes and waterways.

This Is How It Ends: 'We take staggering amounts from our waterways'

Braided rivers are a defining feature of the Canterbury landscape. But they are polluted, drained, and drying out, leaving the banks of one littered with the corpses and skeletons of endangered native fish. Andrea Vance and Iain McGregor investigate for Stuff’s This Is How It Ends series.

Wellington Water launches independent review into wastewater treatment operations

Wellington Water has launched an independent review of its wastewater treatment operations. Read the Stuff article.

Environment Southland won't yet release monitoring report on Tiwai Point

Environment Southland won’t yet release the latest report on the Tiwai Point smelter, but an earlier report found 83 per cent of groundwater samples exceeded guidelines within the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards and Environment Southland groundwater rules. Read the Stuff article.

Constructed wetland documentary released

Whakaora Te Ahuriri - A Wetland for Te Waihora has been shown for the first time at the International Wetlands Conference (Intecol).  See more

Coastal flooding 'likely to be main driver for adaptation'

New NIWA-led research shows increasing flood risk is going to be what leads people to make changes to adapt to sea-level rise. Read more

Exhibition celebrates the Ngāi Tahu relationship with wetlands

Precious taonga that were used by Māori to fish and catch whitebait are on display as part of an exhibition celebrating the relationship Ngāi Tahu has with wetlands.  Read the RNZ story

Mayors discuss reform challenges

Several mayors from around the country have spoken about the challenges Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta faces in getting local councillors' support for the Three Waters reforms.  Newsroom's Jonathan Milne has been looking at the issues.

Changes to status quo required

Addressing the huge deficit in water investment while ensuring that there is adequate community voice to future water services are key issues facing the government as it reviews the councils' responses to its reform proposals. Water NZ CEO Gillian Blythe discusses the next steps on Magic Talk radio.  

Putting water into four entities

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe talks to NewstalkZB's Mike Hosking about how we can improve water services, whilst remaining affordable and giving customers and ratepayers confidence their voice will be heard. Listen to the interview.

D-Day for councils to respond to three waters plan

Friday was D-day for councils to consider the government's Three Waters proposal and to give their feedback.

Listen to Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe explain the reforms on RNZ's Morning Report.

Bill to transform drinking water safety passes

The Government today passed legislation that it says will transform drinking water safety and improve environmental outcomes for wastewater and stormwater networks.

The Water Services Act moves the regulation of water standards from the Ministry of Health to Taumata Arowai which has the legal authority to carry out duties as New Zealand’s dedicated water regulator.

Press release: New Zealand Government

Letter to Minister Mahuta from Water New Zealand, IPWEA NZ and ACE in relation to the three waters reform

A joint letter from Water New Zealand, Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia – New Zealand and Association of Consulting and Engineering to Minister Mahuta expressing our continued support for investment in the three waters and the high level and shared objectives which the Government and Local Government New Zealand agree underpin the Three Waters Reform Programme.

View Letter 

We're 10,000 miles apart, but on water we're closer than we think

The chief executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), Alan Sutherland, explains how economic and water quality regulation along with structural reform, has benefitted Scotland. Read more

Water Services Bill passes second reading

The legislation that will allow Taumata Arowai to administer the regulatory framework for water services has passed its second reading in Parliament.  Read the Hansard report.

Water New Zealand Conference & Expo 2021 - Further postponement

Message from Water New Zealand's CEO

Water New Zealand Conference and Expo will now take place 7-9 December 2021

Due to COVID-19 we have further postponed our conference until Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 December 2021 with the Taumata Arowai and Department of Internal Affairs pre-conference workshop on Monday 6 December.

Over the past three weeks since I last updated you, we have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. It has become clear that we are unlikely to reach Alert Level One in time to have our conference as planned in October.

However, we are very fortunate to have been able to secure these new dates in December and are optimistic that we will be able to bring you a safe face to face conference. If groups of more than 100 are still not possible at that time, we have an extended back-up date in February 2022.

Our events team has been working behind the scenes to ensure exhibitors and sponsors have all been notified. If you are registered to attend this conference, your registration automatically moves to the new dates, and as per the last postponement, please get in touch directly with your accommodation and travel providers about rescheduling your travel dates. If you are one of our programme speakers, your presentation time and day will remain the same but reflecting the December dates.

Thank you for coming on this journey with us. I sincerely hope we can bring you the Water New Zealand Conference & Expo before the end of the year. If you have any further questions or concerns please contact Avenues Event Management at waternz@avenues.co.nz.

Ngā Mihi Nui
Gillian Blythe
Water New Zealand CEO

Palmerston North moves to lessen wastewater discharge to Manawatū River

Palmerston North City Council has decided to pursue an option that includes a combination of river and land disposal for future discharge of the city's wastewater. Read more

Wellington Water committee considers 30-year plan

The chair of the Wellington Water Committee, Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry, said there is alignment across the six shareholding councils of Wellington Water on what needs to be done to meet the region’s challenges in water services over the next 30 years.  Read more

Mahuta says opposition to Three Waters reform is 'curious'

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has defended the Three Waters reform saying the reforms will allow for jobs in local communities as well as provide for growth and greater cost-efficiency.  See the interview on TVNZ's Q and A.

Māori Language Week 2021 – Ngā momo Kaimahi Whakapai Wai

Waiora Aotearoa (Water New Zealand) is proud to once again tautoko (to support) Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week), 13-19 Mahuru (September) 2021.

In recent years Waiora Aotearoa has helped to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori in a number of ways including producing a poster that can be put on your walls, or above your desks. This year we are focusing our poster on our workforce and jobs in the industry.

Take a look at our poster and have a go at using the te Reo Māori naming equivalent of your job title during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. If you don’t find your job title on the Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2021 – Ngā momo Kaimahi Whakapai Wai poster, feel free to do some rangahau (research) and kia kaha ake (give it a go).

Once you have determined your te reo Māori job title, kōrero atu (say it). Share it with your colleagues, friends, whānau and ask them he aha tō mahi (what their jobs are).

We at Waiora Aotearoa are keen to hear your te reo Māori job titles, so please feel free to share them with us via social media using the hashtag #Heahatōmahi and by tagging @waternewzealand. Also don’t forget to use the official Te Wiki o te Reo Māori hashtag #KiaKahaTeReoMāori.

Looking forward, we are going to need to almost double our water workforce over the next 30 years. That’s as many as 9000 new jobs and many new skills will be also needed. It’s one of the reasons that our work around workforce, skills, and competency has become a key part of what Waiora Aotearoa does.

We also know that many of our jobs will be at the frontline, in delivery, and in our regions because there is a real connection between what we, as tāngata (people) of Aotearoa, do in the three waters sector – stormwater, wastewater and drinking water – to ensure that our freshwater, our awa and moana, and therefore our people, remain healthy.

The poster is available for printing and sharing.

Water Services Bill SOP released

The Government has released a Supplementary Order Paper for the Water Services Bill.

Here are the links to the draft legislation. Supplementary Order Paper No 62 (released 03 September 2021) Contents – New Zealand Legislation Supplementary Order Paper No 6... 

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/supplementary-order-papers/document/SOP_115722/water-services-bill

Covid 19 coronavirus: ESR study confirms the power of wastewater testing



A new ESR-led study suggests regular wastewater testing for Covid-19 – now being done across the country to guide our Delta outbreak response – could prove a nifty early warning system to pick up future flare-ups.

Read this report from the Herald's science reporter, Jamie Morton.

Water New Zealand Conference & Expo 2021 - Conference Postponed

Message from Water New Zealand's CEO
Water New Zealand Conference and Expo 2021 - COVID-19 response

Last week I indicated that we were monitoring Government announcements closely with regards to the current COVID-19 community cases. Today we have postponed this year’s Water New Zealand Conference and Expo until Tuesday 19 - Thursday 21 October, given it is extremely unlikely that COVID-19 Alert Level 1 will be nationwide by our original September dates.

The pre-conference workshop is now scheduled to take place on Monday 18 October.

We understand that this will cause considerable inconvenience and we appreciate your patience in these uncertain times. We are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition to the new dates. Our conference team will be in touch with sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and delegates to expedite this. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with them at waternz@avenues.co.nz or 04 473 8044.

Our priority is to ensure we have a safe and successful face to face experience and we look forward to meeting all our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and delegates in Hamilton in October.

Looking ahead, if groups of more than 100 are still not possible in October, we have another back up date early next year.

We look forward to bringing you a safe and stimulating conference with more than 90 presentations and 180 exhibition stands.

Again, I would like to thank everyone for your support and hard work, especially our Technical Committee which has reviewed 166 abstracts and is in the process of marking papers received by the deadline.

The Water New Zealand AGM will go ahead on Wednesday 22 September. It will be held via Zoom.

Ngā Mihi Nui

Gillian Blythe

Water New Zealand CEO

Water New Zealand Conference & Expo 2021

We look forward to bringing you a safe face to face experience in Hamilton.  However, in order for gatherings of more than 100 to take place, New Zealand will need to be at Alert Level 1.

We are monitoring the Government’s announcements and will be in a position to provide an update of our specific plans  by Tuesday 31 August.  Should we need to postpone our conference we will ensure that our exhibitors and delegates are informed as soon as possible

We appreciate your patience in these uncertain times.

For more information

Auckland's juggling act to supply water

A look at options for Auckland water supply in light of forecast drier conditions. 

Read this report
from Stuff's Auckland Affairs journalist Todd Niall

Split views on Water Services Bill

Rural groups are at odds over the merits of new rules to improve drinking water quality.

Federated Farmers says the Water Services Bill is a bureaucratic box-ticking process, while IrrigationNZ is welcoming the reforms.   Read more

Watercare reveals contaminant dumping data

Scores of Auckland companies have been caught dumping contaminants down the drain, but none have been fined or prosecuted, Watercare data shows.  Read more

Five Defence bases fail safe water standards

Water supplies at five army and air force bases have failed basic safety standards, the Ministry of Health reports. Read the Newsroom report.

Collective effort needed to restore Te mana o te Wai

Members of Kahui Wai Māori, the Māori Freshwater Forum, are on a tour encouraging regional councils to get behind efforts to clean up the nation’s waterways.  This report on Waatea News.

Why the government's muscling in on the water business

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made sure to nail that point home at the Local Government New Zealand conference this year in Blenheim, as she listed off all the country's water woes.  Listen to this report from RNZ's The Detail and Newsroom Pro on why the government is embarking on the reforms and the reaction to it.

Taumata Arowai cost recovery fees

DIA is seeking feedback on proposed cost recovery fees and charges for drinking water suppliers applying for exemptions from regulatory requirements and event organisers seeking temporary registration of a water supply for a planned event.

The fee recovery proposals are aimed at recovering costs incurred by Taumata Arowai in assessing applications for the discretionary activities.  Go here for more information on the proposed fee structure. 


Central Interceptor site opens for free public tours

Central Interceptor site opens for free public tours

Aucklanders will soon have the chance to see Hiwa-i-te-Rangi before she disappears completely, digging her way under the city to create Watercare’s $1.2 billion Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel from Māngere to Grey Lynn.

See more


Big water decisions shape futures of small communities

The Prime Minister has committed to settling the contested boundaries of the four new regional water authorities by the end of September – and that means some big decisions for some of New Zealand's smallest communities.  Read this Newsroom report.

Three mayors on three waters: running hot or cold?

Mayors up and down the country remain divided over a proposed centralised water reform programme, with some concerned about being losers in the divvy up of assets, and others focused on the loss of  local powers. 

 Listen to the mayors of Waimakariri, Wairoa and Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) discuss the pros and cons of reform with RNZ's Kathryn Ryan.

Flood protection won't work in climate-changed environment

A climate change researcher says local and central government must stop allowing houses to be built in at-risk areas and we should no longer rely on flood protection infrastructure such as stopbanks to protect against climate change-induced major weather events.  Listen to the RNZ interview

Natural state? Water purity measure corrected

The equation for measuring water purity has been corrected but a freshwater ecologist questions whether this adjustment is sufficient to prevent pollution. The official equation measuring the human impact on groundwater has been revised to better reflect levels of pollution. Listen to the RNZ nine to noon interview with Mike Joy.

Government offers $2.5b sweetener to councils as it looks to take control of water infrastructure

The Government is putting a $2.5b sweetener on the table for councils as it moves to reform three waters infrastructure.

See the Stuff story.

Mike Joy wins battle over ‘dodgy’ water stats

Prominent freshwater ecologist wrings admissions from agencies about poor use of water statistics. 
Read the Newsroom story.


Waikato's worrying nitrate levels



Nitrate levels in Waikato's groundwater are causing concerns among scientists asked to look at the levels in the region. See the RNZ story.

Wellington Mayor at odds with his own taskforce on three waters

Wellington's mayor is yet to take a stance on the Government's three waters reform plan, prompting criticism from his colleagues that he is at odds with his own taskforce on the matter.  Read the NZ Herald story.

Council's battle to remove chlorine 'like a game of tennis' with safety assessors

Hopes of a chlorine-free Christmas for some Christchurch residents may be dashed as health authorities have refused to sign off a plan detailing the safety of the city's water supply. Read the latest Stuff story.

Alarm over level of nanoplastic in marine environment



Alarming new microplastics research has sparked calls for better filters in household washing machines and water treatment plants. Go here for the Newshub story.

Disappointment over failure to phase out plastic wipes

“We wish the Government had heeded the strong public calls to phase out wet wipes containing plastic,” says Green Party spokesperson for waste, Eugenie Sage.  Read more

Environmental groups team up to call for stricter water nitrate limit

Four major Kiwi environmental organisations have teamed up to push for the Government to set a strict nitrate pollution limit of less than 1 milligram per litre in New Zealand’s waterways. Read the Stuff story.

Fifty mayors speak out on water reforms

From the Far North to Invercargill, the country's leaders give their verdicts on what the $120b-plus water reforms mean for ratepayers.  Read the Newsroom story.

Water NZ CEO Gillian Blythe and Green MP Eugenie Sage talk 3 waters reform

Gillian Blythe and Eugenie Sage discuss the release of the Government's preferred models and information released to councils this week on 95BFM.

Used condoms, tampons being flushed onto Wellington beaches

Message to consumers - don't buy single-use plastics, but if you do, don't use the toilet to dispose of them. 

See the RNZ story on the cotton bud sticks, tampon wrappers, used condoms, hair pins and razorblade-heads among items washed up on our beaches.



Concerns Wellington city construction projects will stall as workforce shortage hits 138%

Around the Wellington region over the next decade, councils are looking to invest several billion dollars in Three Waters alone, to upgrade its ageing and increasingly failing pipes. But now doubt is being thrown over the deliverability of big construction projects in the capital, where there is roughly a 140 percent shortfall in the number of construction workers. See the RNZ story.

Three Waters reform the 'only solution' after Bay of Plenty leaders request hui

Sweeping changes poised to overhaul local government and water infrastructure in New Zealand have been deemed the "only solution" by a Bay of Plenty mayor, while another North Island leader describes it as "the end of local democracy as we know it". Read the BOP article

Nutrients in rivers - how much is too much?

New Zealand freshwater scientists have answered the question of how much nutrients should be permitted in our rivers to maintain ecosystem health.  See the Herald report

CONSULTATION - Proposed Critical Infrastructure amendments to CDEM Act 2002

The National Emergency Management Agency requests your organisation’s feedback on several proposed amendments to the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 in relation to Critical Infrastructure (Lifeline Utilities).

The attached document incorporates the nine proposed amendments as well as space for you to provide your organisation’s feedback on each proposal.

Please provide submissions to the proposed amendments by return email to trifecta@nema.govt.nz by COP Monday 28 June 2021.

Shortage of workers risks infrastructure delivery

The Herald's senior Wellington journalist Georgina Campbell looks at how water service delivery is looking to be one of  the next big challenges facing the water sector, due to a shortage of people working in the industry.  Read the report.

Consultation (106513 & 106514) – New Joint Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand projects

The following joint standards development projects were recently approved by Standards Australia and may be of interest to your organisation.

Standards Australia have invited Standards New Zealand to participate in projects relating to standards which are currently joint and where it is perceived that New Zealand may have an interest in participating in a project.

View proposal document here.

Standards Australia seek, and strongly value, your input on:

  • Whether you feel it is important that New Zealand participates in the projects listed below to produce a AS/NZS joint standard and why?
    • What would the impact be to New Zealand end-users if these publications were to be de-jointed?
    • Are there relevant international standards which would meet New Zealand’s needs?
  • Whether your organisation, or organisations you are aware of, may be interested in funding New Zealand’s participation in these 2 projects?
    • The fee listed constitute the anticipated additional administrative costs incurred by Standards Australia for New Zealand’s participation in the project. These costs are calculated based on the project type and complexity.
    • Standards New Zealand does not receive direct government funding and as such operates on a cost recovery basis. As a result Standards New Zealand needs to recover any project fees for New Zealand’s participation in an Australian-secretariat joint standard from a third party, either a regulator and/or industry which uses the joint standard, and/or through other means such as the sales price of the resulting standard if this is feasible.

Any feedback that you, or your organisation or any of your related contacts, could provide on the importance of the projects, and thoughts on prospective commissioners, are greatly valued.

Project Number

Standard Number

Title

Project Type

Document Type

Complexity

Committee

Cost AUD

106513

AS/NZS 3725

Design for Installation of Buried Concrete Pipes

Revision

Standard

Large

WS-006

$ 19,770

106514

AS/NZS 3725 Sup 1

Design for Installation of Buried Concrete Pipes - Commentary

Revision

Supplement

Large

$ 14,828

We encourage you to share this information with others who may also have an interest in developing and commissioning the standards mentioned.

WS-006 Committee Membership

If your organisation would like to participate in the WS-006 Concrete pipes joint Australian New Zealand standards development committee, Standards New Zealand can help facilitate this process. Please email Joints@standards.govt.nz regarding your interest along with the WS-006 Terms of Reference

Consultation

Direct your comments to joints@standards.govt.nz by Thursday 1 July 2021 at the latest. After this date, Standard New Zealand will inform Standards Australia of the outcome. Projects will then proceed as joint or Australian only accordingly. Note: Deadlines for consultations are stipulated by Standards Australia, and are firm.

Decision on councils’ right to opt out of $120b water reforms

First councils were told they could 'opt in' to the merger of their three waters infrastructure, then that they would have to 'opt out'. Now the decision may be taken from their hands. Read the Newsroom article

Taumata Arowai Māori Advisory Group announced

The inaugural members of the Taumata Arowai Māori Advisory Group have been appointed by Minister Davis as Acting Minister of Local Government.

As provided for in the Taumata Arowai – Water Services Regulator Act, the Māori Advisory Group’s role will be pivotal in advising the new water services regulator Taumata Arowai and its board on Māori interests. 

View Media Release

$185b over 30 years: Report reveals overhaul needed for country's water network

A new report has found creating one to four providers is the most efficient way to overhaul management of New Zealand's three waters network.

The affordability challenge of tackling decades of underinvestment is eye-watering.  Listen to Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe on NewstalkZB.

Auckland water rates rise a necessary pill - WaterCare

WaterCare says it has some sympathy for the Aucklanders whose water costs will double in the next ten years, but says - unfortunately - it's a necessary pill to swallow. Go here for the RNZ story

It's official - Timaru has NZ's best tasting water

Congratulations to Timaru for taking out the title of NZ's best tasting tap water for the second year running. The award was presented at the WIOG Conference in Napier yesterday.  See more

Controversial North Taranaki composting company declined permission to continue operating

The future of a controversial organic composting site in North Taranaki is in doubt after the consents it needs to continue operating were not renewed. See more

Flood protection infrastructure helps create resilience and economic stability

The launch of a $16 million restoration works programme last week at Taniwha Marae in the Waikato was "collaboration at its finest". Read more 

Billion-dollar Sleepyhead development gets the go-ahead

A major industrial and residential development in Waikato has been given the green light despite concerns about flooding and wastewater issues.  Read more.

Big drop in water usage following meters

There's been a big drop in the amount of water used by residents in Renwick following the installation of new meters in the township. Read more

Reform proposals include stormwater

Local Government Minister, Nanaia Mahuta told delegates attending the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference in Tauranga that "it's important that the proposed water service entities have responsibility for all three waters - drinking, waste and stormwater. 

Here is a link to the Minister's speech. 

$296m for creation of new water entities

Budget 2021 has allocated $296 million to fund the costs of the creation of new entities to "effectively, equitably and efficiently manage water infrastructure and provide New Zealanders with safe supply wherever they live." 

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the government is committed to water remaining in public ownership, with local authorities, communities, iwi and others playing a central role. Read the Minister's speech.

Huge scale of water infrastructure challenge

We need to be upfront about the scale of the challenge - that's the message from Dunedin City Councillor, Dr Jim O'Malley and newly appointed Chair of the Wellington Water Committee, Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry. Listen to the discussion on TVNZ Breakfast

Water reforms not about ownership

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says her Three Waters reforms aren’t about ownership.

In response to opposition claims that the reforms will give Ngāi Tahu a share in Te Waipounamu water assets, the Minister says the reforms are not the way to resolve questions around the rights and interests of Māori. Listen to the interview on Waatea News.

Stormwater conference - engaging with iwi

Environmental Planner, Tina Porou says there's a real willingness in the stormwater sector to understand how Te Mana o te Wai will influence the management of stormwater.

She was one of the keynote speakers at the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference.  Listen to Tina on Waatea News.

Conference focuses on key stormwater challenges

Conference focuses on key stormwater challenges

12 May 2021

The government’s ambitious water reforms and embedding the concept of Te Mana o te Wai into legislation will be key areas under the spotlight at the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference in Tauranga starting today.

National and international keynote speakers include Local Government Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, who’s leading the government’s reforms.

Environmental planner Tina Porou will focus on the integrity of Te Mana o te Wai, mātauranga Māori and enabling the health and wellbeing of our waterways through our Te Tiriti partnerships.

Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe says that while the government has been very active on drinking water reform, there is also a need for more investment and focus on the management of stormwater networks.

“Stormwater networks are critically important for flood protection and play a massive role in shaping our urban environment.

"This is an area where there will be huge challenges, particularly as we face climate change and sea level rises."

She says the inclusion of Te Mana o te Wai, which recognises the importance of protecting the health of water from source to discharge, will have a big impact on water services and communities.

“This is a fundamental shift in the way we, as a country, regard and use water and will affect everyone – not just water service providers.”

The conference attracts more than 350 delegates and is one of the key annual events focused on stormwater issues.

Other speakers include Holly Greening, a co-founder of CoastWise Partners in the United States – an organisation providing volunteer assistance to coastal and watershed programmes around the world.

Local speakers include Nicki Green, principal advisor in the Policy and Planning team at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional council who led the council’s implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and Wally Potts from the Tauranga City Council.

For more information on the conference go to http://stormwaterconference.org.nz/

Taumata Arowai – a small smart regulator with a big job

photo: Taumata Aorwai CEO Bill Bayfield talking to water suppliers in Hokianga

By Bill Bayfield, Taumata Arowai Establishment CEO

Water services regulator Taumata Arowai is about ensuring safe drinking water and improved Three Waters performance for all in Aotearoa.

We are the first pou, pillar, of the Government’s ambitious and transformational reform programme, providing leadership to the Three Waters, particularly in the drinking water sector.

Taumata Arowai became an independent Crown entity in March this year, and will become the new dedicated water services regulator when the Water Services Bill is passed, expected in the second half of this year.

At that time Taumata Arowai will become the new drinking water regulator for the nation (a role currently held by the Ministry of Health), while providing oversight and improving environmental outcomes from our wastewater and stormwater networks.

In short, Taumata Arowai will be a small smart regulator with a big job.

We will enable and support water suppliers through self-service tools and guidance, work across government and local entities to help achieve safe drinking water and begin to provide the same oversight for waste and storm water.

But before we do this, the Water Services Bill that will set out our functions and duties has to become law. Let me tell you about where things are at with this process.

Parliament’s Health Select Committee has recently finished hearing from some 220 of the almost 1000 submitters on the Water Services Bill, including Water New Zealand and many of its members. I want to acknowledge your considerable contribution, putting forward your practical and thoughtful advice to help make the Water Services Bill – and by inference Taumata Arowai - the best they can be.

It has been an informative exercise to read these submissions, which can be found on Parliament’s website.

Most support the intent of the Bill - to provide all in Aotearoa with safe drinking water and better manage waste and stormwater.

In its submission, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) said it had been calling for clear drinking-water standards, and strong enforcement of those standards since 2015, when it published its Three Waters position paper. This was a year before the Havelock North drinking water contamination.

“That position paper highlighted the urgent need for improved regulatory frameworks and enforcement of the standards …”

LGNZ also “strongly supports the requirement to give effect to Te Mana o te Wai and a commitment by the Taumata Arowai Māori Advisory Board to develop and maintain a framework that provides advice and guidance on interpretation”.

Most submissions also contained varying degrees of concern and anxiety, especially from te ao Māori, local government and rural communities.

I certainly heard about these issues first-hand on my recent visit to the Tai Tokerau, and at the Three Waters forums in Christchurch and Rotorua, all very different experiences.

There’s limited understanding about the Water Services Bill, and a good deal of confusion about what it will mean for various stakeholders.

Which is not surprising when you consider the background to the drafting of the Bill. It happened in a pre-Covid era. In fact, it was before the beginning of central and local government’s joint work on Three Waters service delivery reform, which has the potential to dramatically change the landscape.  

The original modelling for the Bill made assumptions of 5000 small unregistered water suppliers. A recent Beca analysis found this figure was more like 75,000 across the country. What we now know is that about 800,000 New Zealanders – almost one in five – get their drinking water from unregulated supplies.

So there is no denying the challenges ahead.

The Health Select Committee now has two extra months to factor in feedback from the submissions, with report back due in mid-August. This is key to making the Bill robust, practical and workable for all water suppliers – be they Watercare, Grey District Council, the local marae or hill country station.

I don’t have to persuade you about the urgent need for these drinking water reforms. You see it daily in media headlines. Lead contamination in Otago, boil water notices in Carterton. In fact, 32 communities across the motu currently have permanent boil water notices.

Meanwhile, everywhere councils are grappling with aging water infrastructure and the prospect of significant rate hikes to fix them.

The genesis for Taumata Arowai was the shocking 2016 outbreak of gastroenteritis in Havelock North from campylobacter in the town’s drinking water. More than 5000 fell ill from this systemic and quality failure, with four deaths attributed. The subsequent inquiry recommended a national drinking water regulator. We cannot lose sight of this.

Taumata Arowai, as a regulator, will be critical to lifting the performance of our drinking water, waste and storm water systems and capability.

We will lead the drinking water sector, using a regulatory approach taken from internationally recognised “best practice” models, merging them with our unique Aotearoa approach which will be set out in the Water Services Act.

Our model will be based on the principles of Te Mana o te Wai, the concept recognising that protecting the health of water also protects the health and wellbeing of the community and wider environment.

Where drinking water safety is at risk, we will tailor our approach, using a mix of education, compliance and enforcement tools. We will work with suppliers to provide guidance, and review ourselves to ensure we are consistent and taking a proportionate approach.

Our legislation, particularly the Water Services Act – when passed - will allow us to use new compliance and enforcement tools to make sure drinking water is safe for consumers and the performance of our waste and storm water management systems is improved.  We will also engage with people in the water services sector, to influence better water services for all in Aotearoa.

Those we will engage with will include whānau, hapū and iwi Māori, councils, drinking water suppliers and community groups.

Our legislation will provide Taumata Arowai with the authority (compliance tools) to require suppliers to fix things for safe drinking water, and the power (enforcement tools) to protect others from behaviour that puts health at risk.

Until we see the final shape of the Bill, I can’t expand too much further. But myself and our new leadership team will continue to communicate with you – including through webinars – to explain how we are going to work, and to answer your questions.

In the meantime, I urge you to go to our website taumataarowai.govt.nz to find out more about our organisation and top-line information for water suppliers.

View in our latest Water publication.

High flyer to lead Watercare

Watercare has recently appointed Jon Lamonte as its new CEO. He’s so new, in fact, that when Mary Searle Bell spoke to him, he was still isolating in quarantine, having just arrived from Australia.

Jon officially began work on April 6, doing what he could by phone and Zoom from his hotel room. Once free, he’ll be busy meeting his team, stakeholders and partners in the water sector.

Although new to the industry, he has built an impressive career in management, with a strong operational focus.

He has spent the last few years at Sydney Metro where he was responsible for Australia’s first fully-automated metro rail network, leading the procurement, construction and delivery of the project. The first line opened in 2019 with a further line due to open in 2024, and two more beyond that.

It’s the connection to the public that made his job so enjoyable at Sydney Metro, and part of the attraction to his new role at Watercare.

“I like to do something that gives back to society.

“When that first driverless metro opened in Sydney, 140,000 people came out to celebrate. I just sat in the train and listened to their excitement. That was a key moment in my career.”

Jon’s career began when he joined the Royal Air Force.

“As a kid at school, all I wanted to do was fly aeroplanes. I was a bookworm and would always be reading about planes.”

As it turned out, about a year after learning to fly, he switched seats to become a navigator.

In his 32 years with the military, he flew operationally, seeing action in the Falklands, Yugoslavia and Iraq, before moving on to a logistics and procurement role with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Starting as a planner, he ended up as the director general finance for defence equipment and support, which had him buying the likes of aircraft carriers, tanks and submarines as part of the organisation’s £17 billion a year procurement and logistics organisation. 

“At the time, our purchasing was under scrutiny. It was a challenging time.”

For a number of years, Jon ran the largest airbase in the UK, Brize Norton, which has over 4500 people and three fleets of transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

“I was there for the repatriation of the first war dead from Iraq. There were 55 families there and I met them all. Dealing with this magnitude of bereavement affected me a lot, and really highlighted to me the importance of safety.”

His final role with the MOD was as chief of staff, strategy, policy and plans, which included co-leading the strategic defence and security review into the UK’s maritime programme.

In 2011, he made the move away from the military and into civil service, taking the role of CEO of Tube Lines, part of Transport for London. Tube Lines is responsible for the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of the underground infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. Jon’s tenure covered the critical period of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sticking with transport, his next move was to Greater Manchester. Here, he covered rail, bus, tram, highways, cycling and other forms of active transport.

“Then I got a call saying, ‘How do you fancy going for this job in Australia?’. I thought, if not now, when?

“The Sydney Metro role was a great opportunity, and Australia has great weather. I had no real ties in the UK, besides my mother in London, and we keep in close touch by phone, so I went for it.

“Interestingly, although the language is the same, the culture is very different. Sydney was a great place to be – I found lots of people with a similar outlook to mine. We just wanted to get things done.

“I took time when I arrived to get to know the culture – particularly the aboriginal culture – something I’d not been exposed to before. I knew that taking a respectful and understanding approach to a new environment is the best.

“It was a great opportunity to learn.”

Jon says he was perfectly happy running Sydney Metro when a head hunter called him out of the blue about the CEO vacancy at Watercare.

“I just had to look into it.

“It had everything I love in a job. A direct relationship with the customer; a number of exciting capital projects; an important relationship with the Auckland Council to maintain; and sector reform, which will provide stimulating challenges.

“And it’s New Zealand – who wouldn’t want to come here?”

Jon says he has experience of having worked in council controlled organisations, with Greater Manchester being a similar set-up.

“Success relies on every element of the council working together for the good of the people. A strong customer focus is important.

“There’s something about working with the customer to find out what they really want and need that I particularly enjoy.”

Jon believes he has the necessary skills and experience to lead Watercare going forward.

“I have had success in project delivery – the Sydney Metro project was the largest of its kind in Australia and we got it across the line safely, on time and on budget – and plenty of overall experience in leading a large organisation. Hopefully, I can bring a bit of fun too.

“I’ve spent many years working with shareholders and have the skills to influence and negotiate.

“My leadership style is collaborative. There’s a lot of experience in Watercare. I plan to bring the experts together and then give them the freedom to get on with it.

“I know how important it is to listen – I don’t jump too quickly to conclusions or take the first solution offered. Instead, I like to listen and learn. To be respectful.”

Jon also says he is very conscious of the importance of Māori perspectives and culture and their relationship with the land and water, and he is keen to add some Māori words and phrases into his vocabulary.

With just a few days of confinement left in MIQ, Jon is upbeat and excited to start the next phase of his life in Auckland.

“I can’t complain about my managed isolation – the staff have been more than helpful, the food is great, and I’m allowed out to exercise. But I am really looking forward to getting out and meeting people face-to-face.”

View in our latest Water journal 

Expressions of Interest for the Canterbury Young Water Professionals Committee

The Water New Zealand Canterbury Young Professionals Committee is looking for up to two passionate young professionals to join the committee. The committee organises a range of social and technical events for young professionals and students involved in the water industry.

We want to hear your new ideas & opinions, to assist with upcoming event planning. It is important that committee members cover a range of employment organisations, areas of expertise, and levels of experience so that our events can reach as many areas of the water industry as possible. This includes students (postgraduate and undergraduate), engineers, operators, and scientists.

If you would like to apply to join the committee then please send an email to Liam Allan (liam.allan@pdp.co.nz) with answers to the following questions:

1. Why do you want to join the committee?

2. Where do you work?

3. What is your area of expertise within the water sector?

4. Anything else to add?

Please note that you need to be a member of the Water New Zealand Young Water Professionals group to join the committee. This group is free to join for full-time tertiary students and young water professionals within three years following graduation. See Water New Zealand (waternz.org.nz) for further details.

For more information on the wider Young Water Professionals Group and to keep up to date with our activities join our LinkedIn group at LinkedIn - Young Water Professionals Group and our brand new Facebook group at Young Water Professionals New Zealand | Facebook.

Plumbing products a public health issue

New Zealand must move urgently to lead-free plumbing products, writes Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers 
chief executive, Greg Wallace.  Read more 

Our water problem in 15 worrying charts

Newsroom's business editor Nikki Mandow looks at the serious state of New Zealand 's water infrastructure.  Her in-depth analysis uses data from Water New Zealand's recently-released National Performance Review. Read the report here.

Taniwha in the valley: Hutt River is both threatened and threatening - but is it just misunderstood?

Settlement and paving along New Zealand's Hutt River are affecting the health of the river's waters at various points. Now the once pristine river is a victim of "urban stream syndrome," in which flood control measures tend to cause more variable water flow while also concentrating human-generated contaminants that are poisonous to river ecology.

Full story at Stuff.co.nz

Auckland council and Watercare commit to ambitious targets

Auckland Council and Watercare have jointly committed to adopting ambitious targets designed to reduce Aucklanders’ use of drinking water by 20 per cent over the next 30 years to create a city more resilient to impacts of drought and climate change. Read more here.

Consultation hui on water quality

A series of hui is underway to ensure that grass roots community Maori representatives are consulted over how the RMA changes will impact on water issues, particularly water quality.  Listen to Raewyn Bhana on Waatea News

Restoring our fragile freshwater systems

Opinion: Waimakariri Water Zone Committee chair Michael Blackwell says we've taken too much from our environment and we must start giving back.  Read what he has to say in The Country.

Tauranga marae calls for Govt action over groundwater contamination

Whareroa Marae's environment manager is calling for urgent Government action over ongoing concerns about heavy industry contaminants in the area.

Yesterday the Bay of Plenty Regional Council confirmed it was investigating reports that PFAS compounds had been recorded in groundwater in Mount Maunganui's industrial area, on a site near the marae. See the news story..

Lead contamination report due out soon

Water New Zealand's chief executive Gillian Blythe says water service managers around the country will be looking closely at the report into the East Otago contamination scare when it is released.


The review of the health response is now sitting with the Director-General of Health. The settlements of Waikouaiti, Karitane and Hawksbury Village are still getting drinking water from tankers, months after concerning levels of lead were discovered in the local supply.

Go here to listen to the RNZ report

Multiple projects underway to boost Auckland water supply

National Performance Review data confirms Watercare's increased investment in water supply options last year will boost Auckland's drinking water resilience.

The city's water reservoirs are half empty again - nearing record lows - but this time authorities are not so worried.  

This report from RNZ

Canterbury consent replacement raises concerns about nitrates

People opposed to a large irrigation scheme in Mid-Canterbury want their side heard when consents are considered, and say nitrate pollution is a concern. Read the RNZ story.

Taumata Arowai update webinar

Taumata Arowai has been making significant progress towards becoming a fully functioning regulatory authority. Today's webinar was hosted by Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe, who spoke with Taumata Arowai head of regulatory, Ray McMillan and senior advisor brand and channels, Sarah Peacock. 

View Webinar and Slides

For more information on Taumata Arowai - Water Services Regulator, head to their website at www.taumataarowai.govt.nz

Government thinks $110 billion needed to fix broken water system

The cost of fixing New Zealand’s beleaguered water systems could amount to $110 billion over the next 30 to 40 years, according to the Department of Internal Affairs. Read the Stuff story here.

Taumata Arowai goes live

Taumata Arowai has launched its new website in the  latest step towards becoming a new fully-functioning drinking water regulator.

The new Crown entity will take over from the Ministry of Health as the regulator of drinking water for Aotearoa in the second half of 2021. As well, it will have an oversight role for waste and stormwater.

Better safe than sorry: Carterton residents to continue boiling water despite third clear test

Carterton residents will need to boil water for at least another three days as the District Council plays it safe, despite a third clear daily E. coli test.

Read the Stuff story.

Why Napier City Council can't install water filters for all

A plan to provide water filters for all Napier homes has been ruled out as Napier City Council plots a possible path to chlorine-free water over the next two decades. Read the Herald story.

Valuing water in Aotearoa: World Water Day

This year’s World Water Day theme is around valuing water.  Water New Zealand’s chief executive, Gillian Blythe says the global theme is particularly pertinent here in Aotearoa as we come to grips with Te Mana o te Wai and the need to uphold the mauri of the water.

The latest data on the state of our waterways certainly makes for grim reading. According to the  Ministry for the Environment report, Our Freshwater 2020, most rivers in New Zealand are classified as polluted with nutrients and a significant number polluted with e-coli. Other recent findings point out that nearly half of all our monitored lakes are so polluted that virtually nothing can survive in them.

Those disturbing facts about the state of our water are an indication of why we need to take a real look at how we in New Zealand have valued this most precious taonga and, and what we need to do to improve water quality.

Globally nearly half the world’s population don’t have access to safe drinking water and sanitation.  This means that things like basic hand-washing, especially important in this COVID-19 era, is a virtually impossible task for up to three billion people.

Compare that to New Zealand where we’re literally awash with water. Water New Zealand’s latest National Performance Review, published later this month, has found that each of us uses on average  229 litres of water per day. That’s a lot even by developed world standards.  Denmark, a water efficient country, uses less than 110 litres per person and an area in Amsterdam, the average consumption is 90 litres of water per person per day.

 In the developing world, it’s a different story. The World Health Organisations has defined basic access as the availability of at least 20 litres of drinking water per person per day.

But you would have to be living under a rock to be unaware of the huge infrastructure deficit now facing our three waters (drinking, storm and wastewater) systems. It doesn’t help that our drinking, waste and stormwater networks are piped underground leading to an out-of-sight-out-of-mind attitude.

The looming $30-50 billion price tag to fix decades of underspending will place a big burden, not only on ourselves, but also on our children left playing catch up.  This she’ll-be-right approach is what contributed to the Havelock North contamination event in 2016 – which we now know was an event that could have happened in many other places in the country.

It’s clear that as a nation, we’ve profited on the back of a seemingly abundant supply of water which we have not truly valued.

That’s why the government’s new approach to water is an important milestone in our journey to understand and to finally, as a country, start to recognise, respect and uphold the mauri (life-force) of our water resource.

Underpinning these reforms is a major change in our relationship with water - Te Mana o te Wai.

It signals a fundamental shift in the way in which we protect and manage our water resources. Te Mana o te Wai means that all decisions about the management of drinking, wastewater and stormwater will need to be made with the health and well-being of the water at the forefront. It is a concept that sits in the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) but was given new emphasis with amendments to the statement last year.

The rewritten NPS-FM explains that regional councils and their communities, including tangata whenua, should work together to understand what values are held for fresh water in their area or rohe.

In essence it means that water needs to be thought of as having value in and of itself and that the health and mana of the water takes precedence, rather than it being a resource to be exploited.

Te Mana o te Wai has also been included in the Water Services Bill as a concept that must be given effect to when decisions around water services are being made.  There it recognises the fundamental importance of protecting the health of the water, not only at source but also the use of the water in the environment including discharges from wastewater and stormwater systems.

For instance, this means that there will be increased requirements for water to be returned to rivers and the sea in a healthy condition.  While there are many engineering and technical solutions, these will require a lot of careful consideration. 

Without a comprehensive understanding of water’s true, multidimensional value, we will be unable to safeguard this critical taonga for the benefit of everyone.

Carterton water contamination: When will it end?

"Finding contamination sources in town networks can be notoriously difficult" - Water New Zealand Technical Manager, Noel Roberts. Read the Stuff story.


Three Waters reforms: Government launches workshops to explain to iwi, councils

The government is hosting a series of workshops on its Three Waters reform programme targeted towards informing councils and iwi. Read more





Nanaia Mahuta explains three waters reform

The government is pushing ahead with its three waters reform programme, the biggest shakeup in local government in decades.

Listen here to the interview with the Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta talking on RNZ to Kathryn 
Ryan.

CDEM Capability Assessment Tool 2020

The CDEM Capability Assessment Tool is a self-assessment tool for any organisation involved in civil defence emergency management to assess its capability to manage emergencies. While use of the assessment tool is primarily voluntary, the CDEM Capability Assessment Tool will also support a periodic national reporting cycle, in which all organisations with responsibilities under the CDEM Act 2002 will be asked to complete an assessment to document our collective, national CDEM capability.  

Old lead fittings likely cause of Dunedin contamination

The Dunedin City Council is still investigating possible causes for high lead levels in the water supply for Waikouaiti, Karitane and Hawksbury Village, but it believes three of the six intermittent elevated lead levels can likely be attributed to old, cast-iron pipes with lead fittings in the vicinity of Edinburgh St, Waikouaiti.  Read the ODT story

East Otago residents to find out more about lead water tonight

East Otago residents will tonight find out what, if anything, authorities have learnt about the lead contamination of their water supply.

The Dunedin City Council revealed five weeks ago that it had found lead contamination in the water Waikouaiti, Hawksbury Village and Karitane.

Go to the RNZ report.


Wellington Water in 'dangerous spiral'

A Wellington Water director says the company is in a "dangerous spiral" where resources are sucked up dealing with burst pipes and less money is available for investment.

Read the NZ Herald story.


Govt challenged over end-use of water and plastic in bottling plant decision

A pending Court of Appeal decision on plans for a big water-bottling plant raises the question of whether Cabinet will write the end-use of water and plastic into new consenting laws.  See the Newsroom report.

Newsroom water infrastructure investigation

Data from Water New Zealand's National Performance Review has featured in an indepth series by Newsroom looking at how decades of underspending has led to the current water infrastructure crisis facing many regions across the country.

Wellington water chaos a warning for all

Wellington tip of iceberg for country’s water woes

Watercare seeks Govt help with $1.3b infrastructure hole

Jon Lamonte appointed as Chief Executive of Watercare

Watercare Chair Margaret Devlin has announced the appointment of Jon Lamonte as Chief Executive of Watercare following a comprehensive recruitment process.

Jon is currently CEO of Sydney Metro and will join Watercare on 6 April 2021.

Devlin said: “I am delighted that Jon will be joining the Watercare team. He brings a wealth of experience to the role not just from his time with Sydney Metro but from his extensive executive career.

“The Board and I look forward to working with Jon as we embark upon the next stage of Watercare’s journey, which includes the delivery of an $8b capital programme over the next ten years, the response to the ongoing drought, and the national water reform programme.”

Jon Lamonte said: “I feel extremely privileged to be asked to join the Watercare team and to be able to bring experiences from other sectors to help drive the organisation forward and build on its success. I’m also excited to come to New Zealand and forge a new life in Auckland and play my part in ensuring its future.”

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff welcomes Mr Lamonte’s appointment: “Jon has had an impressive career and brings to his new role considerable experience as a Chief Executive and leader, and skills in managing large scale enterprises and operations.”

The salary for the Chief Executive has been set at $585,000, in line with council policy that chief executive salaries across the council-controlled organisations be set lower than previous incumbents and the Council CEO.

Jon Lamonte has an operational background serving in the Royal Air Force, serving in the Falklands, Yugoslavia and Iraq. He was CEO of Tubelines in London, looking after three of London’s underground lines during the 2012 Olympics, before taking over all modes of transport in Manchester running the largest capital programme outside London.

Most recently, he has turned the first metro line in Sydney from construction into operations, with a clear focus on customer experience whilst starting two new lines, the largest investment in the State’s history.

Devlin concluded: “Marlon Bridge will remain in his role of Acting Chief Executive until Jon joins Watercare on 6 April 2021.

“Given the current Covid-19 environment, there may be a period of time where Jon will carry out his role whilst remaining off shore. Watercare and Jon are working together to minimise this period. And as Covid-19 has taught us all, we can and do adapt to situations such as these.

“Once Jon arrives in New Zealand, we will be arranging a number of meetings for stakeholders to meet with him.”

New water regulator board announced as major Government reform moves forward

Source: beehive.govt.nz

Major water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.

Former Director General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai.

“Dame Karen brings considerable experience in governance and management as Director General of Health and Chief Executive of NZQA, as well as her crucial experience as a member of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry panel,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

“This tragic water contamination incident was a major driver for legislation, including the establishment of an independent regulator, to assure safer drinking water and more efficient wastewater and stormwater networks for New Zealanders.”

A medical doctor, Dame Karen is currently serving as Commissioner of Waikato District Health Board, and Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Immunisation Governance Group. 

Appointed also to the Board are Troy Brockbank, Riki Ellison, Brian Hanna, Dr Virginia Hope, Loretta Lovell, and Anthony Wilson.

“The Board has a highly experienced mix of those representing public health, water infrastructure, and te ao Māori, in addition to considerable governance experience.

“There is continuity in the kaupapa with previous involvement not just in the Havelock North Inquiry but also with Te Mana o Te Wai/Kāhui Wai Māori and the Three Waters Reform Committee and Taumata Arowai Steering Board,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

Taumata Arowai will become a legal entity on 1 March and will become fully operational as a regulator with the enactment of the Water Services Bill, currently before Parliament’s Health Select Committee.

“The establishment of Taumata Arowai is one of three pillars of the Government’s Three Waters Reform programme, alongside the regulatory reforms outlined in the Water Services Bill, and the reforms to water delivery services.

These reforms are intended to address issues and opportunities that were highlighted by the Government Inquiry into the Havelock North Drinking Water, and in the Government’s Three Waters Review.”

At its introduction Minister Mahuta outlined how the Bill strikes a balance between incentivising drinking water suppliers to take responsibility for their supplies and giving Taumata Arowai a modern regulatory framework to promote good practice, compliance, and enforcement.

Until the enactment of the Bill, anticipated to pass by mid-2021, the Ministry of Health remains responsible for drinking water regulation.

Background

Dame Karen Poutasi is currently Commissioner of Waikato DHB, and Chair of the Covid-19 Vaccination and Immunisation Governance Group. Dame Karen has previously served as the Director General of Health and the Chief Executive of NZQA. She was a member of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry panel.

Troy Brockbank (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) is a civil engineer, who is currently a Senior Environmental Consultant with WSP. He is also a member of the Water New Zealand Board, and Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao, the Māori Advisory Group to the Environmental Protection Authority. Troy has a focus on promoting the integration of mātauranga Māori alongside western knowledge and engineering practices.

Riki Ellison (Ngāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira) is a consultant specialising in resource management and engagement with Māori, working closely with central government agencies, local government, and iwi. He is a member of Kāhui Wai Māori, the authors of Te Mana o Te Wai, to which Taumata Arowai must give effect.

Brian Hanna is currently the Independent Chair of the Three Waters Reform Steering Group, a member of the Taumata Arowai Steering Board, and a farmer and business director. He is a former Mayor (9 years) and Councillor (6 years) of the Waitomo District. He has also served as a Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Board Member and Chair of the LGNZ-DIA Water Regulation Advisory Group.

Dr Virginia Hope is currently a member of Te Kāhui Tātari Ture – Criminal Cases Review Commission, the Covid-19 Technical Advisory Group, and a Medical Director for ESR. She has previously served as the Chair of Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs, and as an elected member of Auckland DHB. For over a decade she served as Medical Officer for Auckland Regional Public Health Services.

Loretta Lovell (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Pahauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu and Whakatōhea) is a lawyer and Environmental Commissioner, who is currently a member of the Development Contribution Commissioner Panel and the Environmental Legal Fund Advisory Panel. She has previously been a legal advisor for several Treaty settlements and iwi organisations.

Anthony Wilson is a highly experienced civil engineer who has previously managed water infrastructure at New Plymouth District Council and Wellington City Council. He is currently a member of the Board of Inquiry: Watercare Waikato River Take Proposal, and Lead – Three Waters Stimulus for Crown Infrastructure Partners Ltd. Mr Wilson also served as a panel member of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry.

Bowel Cancer NZ questions links between the disease and low nitrate levels in drinking water

A medical adviser for Bowel Cancer NZ has criticised studies linking lower levels of nitrates in drinking water with an increased risk of bowel cancer.

Source: stuff.co.nz 

Read More

Plan to charge Christchurch residents for excess water use

Water New Zealand's CEO, Gilian Blythe says it's important that households know how much water they use.   "I think the same thing with your electricity bill or your bank account, if you've got information you can think about what you're doing," she said.  See the TVOne news story.

Wellington water chaos a warning for all

“Sometimes it has been difficult to make the case to councils for spending as much as is required to build a resilient network,” says Water New Zealand’s Gillian Blythe.  Read the full Newsroom article on the reasons for the big spike in pipe failures in Wellington and other parts of the country.

Calls for tougher rules around home plumbing after lead contamination in drinking water

Water New Zealand's Noel Roberts talks about the many ways that lead can get into our water supply.  See the TVNZ story.

Lack of resources to blame for low-quality tap water - Noel Roberts

Water NZ Technical Manager Noel Roberts talks about the challenges and opportunities we face in ensuring that all New Zealanders have access to safe drinking water.   Listen to his discussion on NewstalkZB with Kerre McIvor. 

Residents could wait months to drink tap water

Asked at a Waikouaiti Coast Community Board meeting last night if the communities north of Dunedin were looking at days, weeks or months of using alternative supplies, Dunedin City Council 3 Waters group manager Tom Dyer said the timeframe of days could probably be excluded. Read the Otago Daily Times story.

Timaru District Council diverts water metering issue

A proposal to introduce water metering for all domestic users in the Timaru District has been kicked down the road for another two years.

Read the Stuff story.


East Otago lead contamination: Panel to head rapid review selected

Independent experts have been appointed to the government's rapid review into lead contamination in east Otago's drinking water. Go here to read the RNZ story.

What is the state of drinking water testing around NZ?

Dunedin City Council continues to hunt for the source of the lead contamination spikes in drinking water test results from east Otago, and it has started a project to replace 5km of old pipes.

RNZ's Checkpoint programme contacted other districts around Aotearoa to find out if Otago's drinking water scare has pushed others to test more frequently. Go here to listen to the report.

Water reforms demand workforce upskill

As the water reforms unfold, it’s clear that one of the biggest challenges facing water utilities will be the need to ensure a competent, professional, highly skilled workforce.

In the latest NZ Local Government magazine our CEO, Gillian Blythe outlines the steps being taken to help local authorities meet the new requirements.

Read More 

Hacker attempted to poison water supply of Florida city, officials say

Local and federal authorities are investigating how a hacker was able to remotely gain access to a Florida city’s water treatment plant in an unsuccessful attempt at what could have amounted to a mass poisoning.

Source: theguardian.com

Read More

National oversight of waterway pollution being considered

A national oversight of the pollution of waterways by businesses is being considered by central government.  Go here to see this RNZ report. 

Wellington City Council reveals $40 million plan to upgrade central city wastewater pipes

Two new pipes will be constructed in Wellington’s CBD as part of a $40 million plan to revamp the city’s ageing wastewater network over the next five years, according to the city’s mayor.  Read the Stuff story.

High levels of lead found in two Dunedin towns' water samples

The Dunedin City Council and Public Health South are advising residents in Waikouaiti and Karitane not to use tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing food until further notice.  Read more

Wastewater testing shows no signs of COVID-19

ESR testing of wastewater for COVID-19 has so far showed no signs of community spread, but the crown research institute is urging people to stay vigilant. Read more

Understanding Wellington's pipes issues

Stuff journalist Joel McManus has taken a look at what has led to the current problems facing Wellington over its water pipes.  Go here to read his story

Drafting error stopping contamination fines 'could be fixed in month'

A legal loophole stopping councils fining companies caught dumping contaminated waste water down the drain could be fixed within a month, a government law expert says. Read more from RNZ. 

Councils can take stronger action against companies dumping contaminated waste - Nanaia Mahuta

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says councils can take stronger action against companies dumping contaminated waste water, even though they have identified loopholes in the law on fines.

Read more

Contaminant dumping: Minister says companies must comply with consents

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says councils can take stronger action against companies dumping contaminated waste water, even though they have identified loopholes in the law on fines. See more 

Revealed: The companies dumping contaminants down the drain

Talleys, Ernest Adams and Yoplait are among hundreds of manufacturers and brands dumping contaminants into New Zealand's drains and getting away with it. Read more on the RNZ investigation into the massive extent of wastewater consent breaches.

Expressions of Interest for Conference Technical Committee

Call for Expressions of Interest in becoming a member of the Water New Zealand Conference Technical Committee. 

The Water New Zealand Annual Conference and Expo occurs annually in Spring and an important component of the conference is the technical programme. The technical programme is assembled by a group of volunteers who form the conference technical committee. The conference technical committee also assess the abstracts submitted, mark the written papers, poster papers and presentations.

Water New Zealand is seeking expressions of interest from individuals to sit on the Conference Technical Committee for a period of two years from March 2021, so that the Technical Committee has the right expertise to be able to cover breadth of topics which are likely to be covered by the technical programme.

The tasks performed by Technical Committee members are as follows:

  • Marking of Abstracts – Each person marks up to 20 abstracts against set criteria
  • Marking of Written Papers – Each person marks up to 10 papers against set criteria
  • Attending the conference and marking the presentations. Each person marks about 8 presentations against set criteria.
  • Attending the conference and marking the poster papers. Each person marks the posters and there are between 6 and 12 poster papers.

We are looking for individuals with knowledge, experience and interest in the following areas

  • Te mana o te wai
  • Workforce - health & safety, capability & training
  • Procurement and project delivery
  • Smart water – digital and data
  • Science
  • Climate change – adaptation and mitigation
  • Drinking water quality and source water management
  • Asset management
  • Water Industry Operations
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Environmental Impacts of Water Industry Operations
  • Pipelines – New and Renew
  • Sustainability
  • Biosolids
  • Three waters reform

We are looking for a maximum of 15 individuals to join the Technical Committee, of which at least 5 will be young water professionals (35 years or younger on the closing date) ( see below).

If you are interested in participating as a volunteer Technical Committee member please indicate in which areas you have knowledge, experience and interest and biographical details (100 words maximum) to Gillian.Blythe@waternz.org.nz by the 12th February 2021 on the form accompanying this Call for Expressions of Interest.  If you are a young water professional please state this on the form.

By expressing an interest you are confirming that you are able to commit to fulfilling the tasks required of Technical Committee members, including attending the annual conference. This is a volunteer role and payment will not be made for the input nor conference registration.

Successful applicants will be notified of acceptance by the 26th February 2021.

Application Form 

Michigan plans to charge Governor in Flint water probe

The former Michigan Governor, his health director and other former officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation into the Flint water contamination scandal.  Read this report from the Associated Press.

Govt announces new projects to clean up waterways

The Minister for the Environment, David Parker, has announced a package of 19 projects he says will help clean up and protect waterways and create local jobs.  Read the Minister's media release.

Bill to fix ailing water infrastructure could hit $50 billion over 30 years

Bringing New Zealand’s water services up to scratch could cost $50 billion over three decades, new research suggests.

Papers released on the proposed major reforms of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure reveal the expected costs of tougher standards and years of underfunding. Read the Stuff article

Water New Zealand outlines key issues in Govt briefing document

In a briefing document to the new government, Water New Zealand says workforce capability and capacity, infrastructure challenges and water reforms will be key issues facing the sector as we head towards 2021.

The document also outlines what steps the organisation has taken to help members address these issues.  Go here to view the BIM document.

Water poverty a 'human rights issue' in rural Northland

Some rural Northland families are already running out of water due to the effects of Covid-19, inadequate rainwater tanks and dilapidated guttering. Read the Northern Advocate story.

First Reading for Water Services Bill

The Water Services Bill has passed its First Reading in Parliament with support from all  parties.  Local government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says this is a decisive step towards ensuring safe drinking water and more efficient wastewater and stormwater networks.  Read the Hansard report here.

Clutha District Council fined nearly $500,000 for wastewater treatment failures

The Clutha District Council has been fined nearly $500,000 for "egregious" failures in managing its wastewater treatment plants.

The council appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday where it pleaded guilty to six charges under the Resource Management Act.  Read this report from the Otago Daily Times.

How many Deaths Does it take? Oxidation, Effluent and Water Storage Ponds

How many Deaths Does it take? Oxidation, Effluent and Water Storage Ponds

Graeme Wells, Associate Environmental Engineer,
Beca Ltd, Christchurch

Presented at IPWEA Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand – June 2020

Fourteen people have drowned in effluent and oxidation ponds in the last decade alone. The inadequacy of fencing and egress provisions were noted in coronial reports in all cases. As professionals involved in designing, detailing, reviewing, and operating ponds of all types, we have a duty to learn from these unfortunate past events so risks of further fatalities are reduced.

There are standards for swimming pools, but not ponds.

What about the other ponds we have created; open-excavation borrow pits, stormwater detention basins and wetlands to name some? If it is man-made, under Health and Safety legislation, the defined Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), has a responsibility to protect against any consequential health or safety risks. This duty applies to both current operational ponds and new ponds being contemplated.

This paper will look at what can be learnt from past fatalities, what guidance exists and what design and operational improvements we can make.

View IPWEA Conference Speaker Graeme Wells PowerPoint & Paper

Building our role in Risk Reduction & Resilience

EQC is concerned with the growing liability Central Government is carrying. A Resilience Strategy for Natural Hazard Risk Reduction 2019-2029 has been produced.

This presentation shows why they are concerned and an indication of what they are proposing.

Government pours cold water on Super Fund's pipes proposal

The Government appears lukewarm on a proposal from the NZ Super Fund to have a role in upgrading councils’ ailing water pipes. See more on this from RNZ

Four dead after explosion at UK wastewater plant

Four people died following an explosion in a silo that holds treated biosolids at a wastewater treatment plant near the southwest England city of Bristol, police said Thursday (local time).

source: stuff.co.nz 

Read More 

Water New Zealand Conference & Expo 2020 Highlights

Highlights from the Water New Zealand Conference & Expo 2020 – thanks to all those that attended and made it another successful event!

Watercare releases its pandemic plan to help other utilities prepare for future events

Watercare, New Zealand’s largest water and wastewater utility, has released its interactive pandemic plan under the Creative Commons license (CC BY), with the aim of helping other utilities and large organisations anywhere in the world better prepare for future pandemics. Releasing the plan under the Creative Commons license (CC BY) means that any organisation can adapt, implement and distribute the plan so long as they work within the parameters of the license.

The interactive plan, which Watercare began developing when the country went into its first COVID-19 lockdown, was designed from scratch, utilises the learnings and developments made, and has been thoroughly tested in the New Zealand utilities environment.

“We believe we’re one of the few organisations anywhere in the world to share a pandemic plan in this way. We have designed this plan to be easy to roll out, easy to adapt to different contexts, and easy to use when responding to specific challenges presented by future outbreaks,” says Watercare acting chief financial officer Nigel Toms.

“We are confident that making the plan available to other organisations will help raise pandemic preparedness levels to a new standard.”

“We’ve designed the plan to cover all areas of the business because by their very nature pandemics are unpredictable on many levels — severity, nature of impact and the groups within a population that might be affected. This plan establishes a framework for action that can be modified and implemented in any pandemic, regardless of the specific nature of the pathogen causing the pandemic or its impact on the population.”

As a lifeline utility providing Aa-graded drinking water and efficient wastewater services to 1.7 million Aucklanders every day, Watercare is classed as an essential service, so having a robust plan and being prepared for pandemics is vital.

Watercare’s pandemic plan is a rich resource and comes packed with content and recommended actions that will guide organisations as they respond to different situations. To aid development, the plan includes sample documents and downloadable templates.

“It has been developed to function as a living document that will be reviewed and revised regularly. We intend on releasing further iterations of the plan to a global audience on an ongoing basis. One thing COVID-19 has taught us is that our day-to-day environment can change at a moment’s notice, so it’s important that the plan can be easily adapted,” says Toms.

The plan is housed under the reports and publications section on the Watercare website or can be downloaded here.

Water poverty in drought-prone Northland a 'human rights issue'

Water poverty is challenging Northland's ability to handle future severe drought, according to a report from Radio NZ.

Problems lurking in the future - Wellington's pipes issuer

Wellington needs to double its investment in water pipe replacement.  Listen to Wellington Water's CEO, Colin Crampton talking to Radio NZ's Kathryn Ryan about the need to fix leaks and cope with an increase in population. 

Water New Zealand Privacy Settings

A message to our valued members of Water New Zealand, this note is to alert you to some changes to the law governing privacy of personal information in New Zealand that come into effect today. The Privacy Act 2020 introduces greater protections for individuals and some new obligations for businesses and organisations, including Water New Zealand.

On becoming a member of Water New Zealand, you consented to the collection, processing, use and disclosure of your personal information in line with Water New Zealand’s Terms and Conditions of Trade and Privacy Policy so you may be interested in learning a bit more about the Privacy Act changes and what Water New Zealand is doing to protect your information.

A short summary of the changes to the Act include:

  • the requirement for organisations to report serious privacy breaches to the Privacy Commissioner and to affected people
  • new powers for the Privacy Commissioner to help people access their own information and to require businesses and organisations to comply with the law
  • increased fines for organisations that fail to comply with the law
  • new rules for organisations who send personal information overseas.

You can find out more about the changes by visiting the Privacy Commissioner’s website, located at www.privacy.org.nz

Water New Zealand is committed to protecting the integrity of the information you entrust us with as members.

We will ensure that any Information that is obtained from you is done so lawfully, either verbally or by using Water New Zealand’s prescribed forms which authorise us:

  1. to collect personal information
  2. inform you what personal information is being collected
  3. inform you why the personal information is being collected (the purpose)
  4. inform you why & when personal information will be disclosed to third parties.

It is our responsibility to ensure that any personal information we obtain is as accurate and up to date as possible and information is only collected by lawful means in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 as well as any relevant overseas member privacy legislation that may apply.

Below you will find links to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Trade if you would like to remind yourselves what these include.

Click here to access our Privacy Policy.

Click here to access our Terms and Conditions of Trade.

This might also be a good time to login to your "Dashboard", the member area of our website, and review your member privacy settings to ensure you are comfortable with the information you are currently sharing with other members. Click here to proceed to the login area.

If you have any questions after reading this email or learning about the above mentioned changes, or you wish to update any of the information we hold about you, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by phoning 04 472 8925 or emailing gillian.blythe@waternz.org.nz.

On becoming a member of Water New Zealand, you consented to the collection, processing, use and disclosure of your personal information in line with Water New Zealand’s Terms and Conditions of Trade and Privacy Policy so you may be interested in learning a bit more about the Privacy Act changes and what Water New Zealand is doing to protect your information.

A short summary of the changes to the Act include:

  • the requirement for organisations to report serious privacy breaches to the Privacy Commissioner and to affected people
  • new powers for the Privacy Commissioner to help people access their own information and to require businesses and organisations to comply with the law
  • increased fines for organisations that fail to comply with the law
  • new rules for organisations who send personal information overseas.

You can find out more about the changes by visiting the Privacy Commissioner’s website, located at www.privacy.org.nz

Water New Zealand is committed to protecting the integrity of the information you entrust us with as members.

We will ensure that any Information that is obtained from you is done so lawfully, either verbally or by using Water New Zealand’s prescribed forms which authorise us:

  1. to collect personal information
  2. inform you what personal information is being collected
  3. inform you why the personal information is being collected (the purpose)
  4. inform you why & when personal information will be disclosed to third parties.

It is our responsibility to ensure that any personal information we obtain is as accurate and up to date as possible and information is only collected by lawful means in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 as well as any relevant overseas member privacy legislation that may apply.

Below you will find links to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Trade if you would like to remind yourselves what these include.

Click here to access our Privacy Policy.

Click here to access our Terms and Conditions of Trade.

This might also be a good time to login to your "Dashboard", the member area of our website, and review your member privacy settings to ensure you are comfortable with the information you are currently sharing with other members. Click here to proceed to the login area.

If you have any questions after reading this email or learning about the above mentioned changes, or you wish to update any of the information we hold about you, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by phoning 04 472 8925 or emailing gillian.blythe@waternz.org.nz

Hawke's Bay water quality: $50m in Three Waters funding approved

The Hawke's Bay region has been granted $50 million from the Government's stimulus package towards projects in Three Waters services - drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.  Read the Hawkes Bay Today story.

Hamilton council calculates carbon footprint from wastewater treatment

Hamilton City Council has been working to understand its carbon footprint and has come up with a method of calculating carbon emissions generated by wastewater treatment. Read more

Wellington water report suggests meters needed

A new Wellington water report by Ernst Young and Beca has recommended the region adopt a 144 million dollar water metering system. Eugene Doyle is a water activist and member of Wellington's Mayoral Taskforce on the Three Waters and weighs in on the discussion with The Panel.  Listen to the discussion here.

City councils and water infrastructures bid to bring more Māori to “the decision-making table”

Auckland Council presented its new Wai Ora Wai Māori cultural monitoring framework at day two of the Water New Zealand conference and expo. The council said it hopes that all iwi mana whenua can bring their expertise and mātauranga Māori to discussions over water. This report from TVNZ's Te Karere programme.

Water as a taonga - report from the Water New Zealand conference

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta spoke of the need to lift standards to make drinking water safer for all New Zealand communities when the Government's reforms to an audience at the Water New Zealand conference and expo currently underway in Hamilton.

This report from TVNZ's Te Karere on the way council and businesses are wanting to work together collectively with iwi and mana whenua to improve the quality of water across Aotearoa. 

Fatberg spills 20,000 litres of sewage into Wellington harbour

Twenty thousand litres of sewage flowed gushed into Wellington harbour on Thursday morning amidst two consecutive pipe failures. Read the Stuff story.

Wellington Water discovers leak of 20,000 litres a day as consumption spikes

Wellington Water has discovered a 20,000-litre-a-day leak following the installation of small meters in networks across the region's metropolitan cities. Read the Herald story

​Conference focuses on key water sector challenges

Tackling issues around water sector reform and the challenges of providing a sustainable and resilient water future will be key topics under discussion at this year’s Water New Zealand Conference and Expo.

The conference is now set to take place in Hamilton on 17-19 November after being postponed from its original September date due to the risks around COVID.

“This decision looks to have paid off and it means that we can now welcome delegates, speakers and exhibitors for a face-to-face get together at Claudelands,” says Water New Zealand CEO, Gillian Blythe.

She says safety will be a priority and the conference will operate under the Event Sector Voluntary Code, developed with the support of MBIE.

“We will be working under Ministry of Health best practice guidance and the official New Zealand COVID tracer posters will be clearly on display at the venue.”

The conference will focus on the major challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The new regulatory environment, including the new drinking water regulator Taumata Arowai, is set to be established next year, along with the passing of new Water Services Bill.

“There are transformative changes happening in the three waters (drinking, waste and stormwater) sector that will have an impact right across the country and this conference provides an important opportunity to discuss, learn more and keep up with current thinking.”

Keynote speakers include Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta along with Taumata Arowai establishment CEO, Bill Bayfield and outgoing Watercare CEO Raveen Jaduram.

“The COVID environment has helped spur opportunities for new ways of delivering events to an even wider audience.

“Despite the limitations on travel, technology means that we can learn from the experiences of leading international water experts who will be zooming in from different parts of the world.

“Water is one of the key global environmental risks and we’ll hear about innovative approaches to address stress on water from Henk Ovink, Dutch Special Envoy on International Water Affairs, who’ll be speaking directly from the Netherlands

“Ailsa Sypkes from Taswater will be speaking about some of the lessons learned from Tasmania’s reform process.”

“For the first time, we’ll be offering a hybrid version which means that people can register and attend online, and on-demand, from anywhere in the world. This provides a new flexible option and is particularly relevant in the current environment where it’s not always possible for people to travel.”

All Keynote speakers and the Thought Leadership stream will be live-streamed while the remaining sessions will be available on-demand after the conclusion of the Conference for all delegates and those attendees who have registered for the hybrid options only. The content will be available online for several months.

Water Industry Commission for Scotland provides view of Watercare

A review conducted by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) has found that Auckland’s water utility, Watercare, is performing ahead of New Zealand peers but needs to be able to invest more to deliver fully on its potential.  Read more

Entrepreneurial mother invents an alternative to wet wipes

Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha used to get through a mountain of wet wipes when her two children were babies.

Now, the former journalist turned businesswoman has invented a foam which she says turns toilet paper into an environmentally friendly, degradable wet wipe – and she hopes it will eradicate billions of wet wipes in the next five years. See the Stuff story.

Ngāi Tahu taking Government to court over water rights

Ngai Tahu is taking the Government to Court over what it says is the failure of the Crown to recognise its rangatiratanga over freshwater. It says that the Crown is attempting to assimilate Ngai Tahu into its Kaupapa. Ngai Tahu says the key issue is in relation to Māori rights and interests in freshwater and that there is a need to recognise that they are not just another stakeholder but part of the authority that ought to be making decisions. It says that this action is in response to the destruction of waterways, over-allocation, and poor resource management.

Click here for the TVOne news story.

Kaikohe dam NZ's first Covid 19 recovery fast-tracked project

A water storage dam near Kaikohe is the first project in the country to be consented under fast-tracked Covid-19 recovery legislation. Read the Northern Advocate article here.

Water meter test-runs in Marlborough continue to throw up eye-watering results

An early water meter trial in Marlborough found one house in Havelock leaking 30,000 litres a week. New results show two houses leaking that a day. See this report from RNZ

Anti-water bottling lobby group takes fight against ECan and Cloud Ocean to Court of Appeal

An anti-water bottling lobby group is taking its legal fight against Environment Canterbury (ECan) and two Christchurch operations to the Court of Appeal after having a challenge over consents dismissed. See the Stuff article

Official signing for transfer of Taupō water monitoring functions

A special ceremony has been held in Taupō for the official signing of an agreement to transfer specific water quality monitoring functions to the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board. Read more

Billions down the drain: The overwhelming scale of Wellington's pipe crisis

Read the Stuff analysis of the fragile state of Welllington's water pipes - and the multi-billion dollar problem that's looming, not just for the capital, but for many other regions of New Zealand as well.

Massey - PhD student creates soil filters to remove phosphorus from wastewater

A team of Massey University soil scientists are working with local councils to help remove phosphorus from wastewater using large filters made of soil. See the Massey article.

The $2.2million pipe that's been blocked for five years

A pipeline that cost Napier ratepayers more than $2.2million has been blocked for five years and it’s still unclear whether and how it might be unblocked.  See the Stuff story.

Water meters: yes or no, asks NPDC's Top 10 Korero

Cutting how much water we all use each day is good for our environment and could save millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades.

The New Plymouth District remains one of the thirstiest places in the country and NPDC wants feedback on whether water meters should be put in to every house on the water network, as part of its Top 10 Kōrero looking at the big issues facing the community. Read more.

$11m for water infrastructure in Gisborne

Gisborne district councillors have agreed to allocate $11 million of the government Three Waters infrastructure programme to rural townships and to speeding up work on the wastewater treatment plant.

See the Gisborne Herald story.

First Council in New Zealand to meet MoH Water Safety Plan approval

The first Water Safety Plan (WSP) approved under the Ministry of Health’s new framework has been awarded to Hurunui District Council.

The Culverden drinking water scheme is the first one in New Zealand to receive the tick from the Ministry.

Source: hurunui.govt.nz

Read more

Test wastewater for Covid-19 to find carriers, prof advises

New Zealand should implement a wastewater monitoring system to boost protection against hidden Covid-19 clusters and asymptomatic carriers, a University of Otago academic says. Read the ODT story.

Hutt City Council faces $1.3bn bill for water pipes upgrade

A report from Wellington Water - the authority which oversees the network for the entire region - has set the figure, to replace 60 percent of the 2000km pipe network.

How the money will be accrued is yet to be determined.

It comes after Porirua City Council received a similar report, which put their bill at $2b.

"We have a situation here where we have a trifecta of issues," said Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry.  Read More

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2020 – Te Mana o Te Wai

Waiora Aotearoa (Water New Zealand) is proud to once again tautoko (support) Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) – 14-20 Mahuru (September) 2020.

For the third year, Waiora Aotearoa has produced a bilingual water-focused poster to celebrate this year’s Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. The theme for this year’s poster is ‘Te Mana o te Wai’.

“Te Mana o te Wai is a concept that refers to the fundamental importance of water and recognises that protecting the health of freshwater protects the health and well-being of the wider environment. It protects the mauri of the wai. Te Mana o te Wai is about restoring and preserving the balance between the water, the wider environment, and the community.” - National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM 2020)

Te Mana o te Wai encompasses six principles that inform the implementation of the NPS-FM 2020, and relate the roles of tangata whenua and other New Zealanders in the management of freshwater;

  • Mana whakahaere: the power, authority, and obligations of tangata whenua to make decisions that maintain, protect, and sustain the health and well-being of, and their relationship with, freshwater
  • Kaitiakitanga: the obligation of tangata whenua to preserve, restore, enhance, and sustainably use freshwater for the benefit of present and future generations
  • Manaakitanga: the process by which tangata whenua show respect, generosity, and care for freshwater and for others
  • Governance: the responsibility of those with authority for making decisions about freshwater to do so in a way that prioritises the health and well-being of freshwater now and into the future
  • Stewardship: the obligation of all New Zealanders to manage freshwater in a way that ensures it sustains present and future generations
  • Care and respect: the responsibility of all New Zealanders to care for freshwater in providing for the health of the nation.

Te Mana o te Wai provides a clearly defined hierarchy of obligations, prioritising (NPS-FM 2020):

  • first, the health and well-being of water bodies and freshwater ecosystems
  • second, the health needs of people (such as drinking water)
  • third, the ability of people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural well-being, now and in the future.

This year’s poster puts the health and well-being of wai (water) in the centre. It incorporates concepts introduced in previous posters including Te Hurihanga Wai (The Water Cycle, 2019) and Ngā Momo Wai (Types of Water, 2018). It is intended to expand on these concepts to illustrate the different stages of water, and corresponding mauri (lifeforce) and hauora (health). The holistic nature of ‘Te Mana o Te Wai’ is further demonstrated through the interconnectedness of water;

“Mai i te Rangi, ki te Nuku o te whenua.

From the sky/Ranginui, to the embrace of the land/Papatūānuku.

Mai i uta, ki tai.

From the land, to the sea.

The poster also includes Ngā Wai-o-rangi (Waters of Ranginui/sky) and Ngā Wai-o-nuku (Waters of Papatūānuku/earth), connecting the physical realm to the spiritual, and demonstrating the requirement that waters, especially those whose mauri has been diminished, are returned to and connected to the earth and sky for cleansing and for their mauri to be enhanced.

Although Te Mana o Te Wai has been developed for freshwater management, it has relevance for all interconnected water including for the three infrastructure waters: stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water.

  • Drinking water is typically sourced from freshwater sources.
  • Wastewater effluent is typically treated to a high water quality standard and discharged to land and waterbodies. This can affect receiving waters, including groundwater and freshwater sources.
  • Stormwater runoff is often directly connected to freshwater. Urban stormwater can pick up contaminants and requires treatment prior to discharge.

The NPS-FM 2020 requires all regional councils and local authorities to ‘give effect to Te Mana o te Wai’. Further, Taumata Arowai, the new water services regulator (in process of establishment), is also required to give effect to Te Mana o te Wai as part of its objectives.

This has relevance for all water practitioners involved in the planning, design, construction, and operation of three waters infrastructure. It ensures that a holistic catchment framework is applied and the rights of water are put first. Ngā Wai Manga (the Urban Water Principles)are 10 principles developed by the Urban Water Working Group (MfE, 2018) and recommended to protect and restore Te Mana o Te Wai in urban contexts. The principles are another resource to help guide decision-making at all levels and promote the creation of water sensitive urban spaces by drawing on mātauranga, the lessons of the past and international best practice, the needs of our present communities, and a vision of a sustainable, resilient future.

Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata

If the water is healthy, the land is healthy, the people are healthy

Flushing wet wipes and cloths makes extra work for council

The flushing of wipes is continuing to be a problem. This time, Southland district councillors expressed their frustration that people keep flushing wet wipes and cleaning cloths down the toilet.

Read the Stuff story

Water New Zealand Annual Conference and Expo postponed due to COVID alert levels

4 September 2020

Water New Zealand has postponed this year’s Annual Conference and Expo following the announcement by the Prime Minister that COVID-19 alert levels will remain as they are until at least mid-September.

The conference, which has attracted up to 1200 exhibitors, speakers and delegates was due to begin in Hamilton on 16 September, with a pre conference Taumata Arowai water regulatory workshop on 15 September.

The new dates are 17-19 November with the pre conference workshop now to be held on Monday 16 November.

“Our priority is to ensure that we have a safe and successful face to face experience and that means we will need to be at Alert Level 1,” says Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe.

“We’re optimistic that we can all have a great conference in November but if groups of more than 100 are still not possible, the conference will go fully online and we will work to have as good a virtual expo event as possible.”

“We’ll still have our great line up of keynote and guest speakers including Henk Ovink who is Special Envoy for International Water Affairs in the Netherlands and a member of the World Bank High Level Panel on Water.”

Other keynote speakers include Watercare Chief Executive Raveen Jaduram and the Chief Executive of Taumata Arowai Bill Bayfield.

“We understand that this postponement will cause inconvenience and we appreciate the continuing patience and support from delegates, speakers and especially our exhibitors.”

Biosolids based worm farm set for expansion

A large worm farm on the outskirts of Kawerau which takes biosolids from most Bay of Plenty councils’ sewerage schemes is about to get even bigger following a new contract from Tauranga City Council and a commercial loan from the Provincial Growth Fund. Read the Sun media story.

CIWEM Aotearoa Environmental photographer of the year 2020

Anyone can enter (you don’t have to be a CIWEM member). Entry is free and open any time between September 1st and October 18th 2020. The competition will be judged by an independent panel and winners will be announced via a live webinar on 3rd November 2020. 

Photo Competition Instructions

Stormwater 2020 Big Thanks to Everyone

A very big 'Thank you' to everyone who joined us for the first-ever Stormwater Online conference.


To all our keynote speakers and guest speakers, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Sharing your valuable insights makes our industry and community stronger.

Thank you to all our sponsors and exhibitors. The show would not have gone on without you!

Congratulations to all our award winners, thanks for making an impact in the Stormwater industry.

To the team behind Stormwater 2020 Online and On-Demand - take a bow! Thank you for adapting so quickly to what has been a tidal wave of a year so far.

And to all of our attendees, thank for sharing this journey with us.

That’s a wrap!

We hope to see you next year in Tauranga (11-14 May 2021)

Congratulations to our Stormwater 2020 award winners

27 August 2020

The Water New Zealand Stormwater awards recognise expertise and contribution to the stormwater sector.

This year’s winners were announced at the Stormwater 2020 Virtual Conference this evening and the winners will be presented their awards in person at the Downer Gala Dinner at the Water New Zealand Conference & Expo.

The 2020 Stormwater Professional of the Year has been awarded to Clare Feeney of Environmental Communications Ltd.

Clare has been a member of Water New Zealand since the 1990. She has presented several stormwater papers and is a long-standing and actively contributed to Friends of the Stormwater Committee. Clare has judged the Innovation Awards since its inception in 2018, has chaired conference sessions, been actively involved in AGMs and regularly supports local events.

The Young Stormwater Professional of the Year award has gone to Matthew Lillis of Engineering Leadership Services.

This award recognises a young stormwater professional who has made a significant contribution to the industry and the general community, and has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the early stages of his or her career.

The judges said that Matthew’s management of the complex Mangakootukutuku ICMP demonstrates his outstanding technical knowledge and communication skills.His commitment to volunteer activities is evident through his ongoing involvement in Engineers Without Borders and his contribution to the stormwater industry has been demonstrated through the presentation of his work at conferences.

The winning paper for the 2020 Stormwater Conference Paper of the Year is entitled: “Does your Retention meet your Intention”

It is written collaboratively by Mark Groves (WSP), Bodo Hellberg (Tauranga City Council), Brendon Schicker (WSP), Warren Bird (WSP).

The paper addresses assumptions used in industry to estimate detention requirements.With an increasing focus on greenfield pre-development flow rates, design methods and the underlying assumptions can cumulatively have a large impact on estimates for detention requirements as well as orifice discharge rates.

This paper demonstrated the importance of such considerations by looking at different design events, different durations and different model assumptions.

It found that short duration storm design methods were more likely to lead to underestimation of flows, with the design potential to increase discharges and increase flooding risk.Validation with real rainfall data also showed the need to understand individual catchments and their complexities.Based on their assessment the authors recommended modelling a range of durations, storm sizes and rainfall profiles to best assess the needs of the catchment.This has the implications for any design engineer looking at detaining stormwater and releasing appropriately in larger catchments while mitigating flooding risk.

Water New Zealand and the Stormwater Group congratulate all entries in the Innovation Showcase Award. This was a tough decision and all innovations came up with fantastic solutions for some of the significant stormwater challenges in New Zealand.

The winner of the Innovation Showcase is FenceTank. The judges noted a lot of thought had gone into the design.Congratulations to Andrew Olsen from Stormwater Systems on creating a stylish solution to unsightly water tanks that take up valuable space on properties.

The judges have highly commended Bodo Hellberg and Whare Joseph Thompson for “The Four Winds” Stormwater Manhole Cover.

Both FenceTank and The Four Winds Manhole cover have multiple benefits and form.

The winners will be presented their awards in person at the Downer Gala Dinner at the Water New Zealand Conference & Expo.

Once again, a big thanks to all our entries and congratulations to all our winners. 

Wastewater testing for COVID-19

Research shows that wastewater testing for COVID-19 is looking to be a useful tool in the fight against the viurs.  Listen to the Minister of Research Science and Innovation, Dr Megan Woods, in Parliament.

More than 100 wastewater treatment plants breaching consent

New Zealanders flush toilets millions of times each day, and most of them lead to treatment plants that are not complying with their conditions for treating wastewater. See the RNZ story.

Water bottling industry to face fresh scrutiny under plan to ban new ventures

Councils will work with the Government to clamp down on the controversial water bottling industry amid widespread concerns over sustainability and the “banking” of consents.  Read the Stuff story here.

Sky harvest — turning the tide on rainwater tanks

Rainwater tanks are an obvious answer to water supply shortages but Water New Zealand's Noel Roberts says it's important to guard against backflow contamination of potable water.  Read the Stuff story.

COVID-19 Response

In light of the situation around the community spread of COVID-19, MBIE has reinstated the all-of-government Covid-19 response group that was in action earlier this year. DIA is chairing the local government response and Water New Zealand is assisting with ensuring strong and close connection to the water sector.

We will be keeping all our members and the wider water sector up to date with developments as they unfold. So please continue to check our COVID-19 Updates and Information webpage and the WSMG forum (WSMG members only) for further updates. 

Please feel free to contact Noel Roberts if there is a three waters COVID-19 issue that needs to be escalated.

Code of Practice for the Implementation of the New Zealand Asset Metadata Standards for 3 Waters

The Quake Centre’s Building innovation Partnership (BIP) has published the first part of a National Standard for 3 Waters Asset Data. The Code of Practice (CoP) has been developed by BIP and a broad range of industry partners to set out a minimum viable standard for as-built data for 3 Waters pipe networks. The standard covers potable, waste and storm water:

  • Pipes
  • Valves
  • Chambers
  • Fittings
  • Meters
  • Headwalls
  • Retention Structures
  • Channels

The activities that the standard supports include:

  • Automated capture of design and as-constructed data
  • Standardised methodologies of sharing design and existing asset data
  • Data quality assessment and benchmarking
  • Large scale analysis of economic life of pipes

Work is underway with a number of local authorities to test the standard as part of data quality benchmarking and as the basis of a national surveying and data ingestion process. It has also been designed to align with the new data standards being developed by NZTA. Effort has been made to ensure that both the 3 Waters and NZTA standards are based on the same principles to ensure data interoperability.

The standard is designed to be extensible and, as resources allow, its coverage will be increased to cover Valuations; Operations & Maintenance; Failure Analysis, etc.

The CoP can be found here:

https://bipnz.org.nz/3-waters-asset-data-standards/

For more information contact:

Greg Preston

greg.preston@canterbury.ac.nz

Pitch for $45 million essential Three Waters workforce in Wellington

Documents reveal Wellington Water pitched an accelerated apprenticeship scheme for an essential Three Waters workforce to retrain 100 people.Go to the Herald story.

Ambitious plan to capture rainwater in South Wairarapa towns

After unprecedented water restrictions last summer, South Wairarapa District Council has formed an ambitious plan to install rainwater systems in all urban houses. However Water New Zealand CEO Gillian Blythe says anyone using a rainwater tank needs to be aware of the risks of contamination.  Read the Stuff story.

Reducing the health burden from contaminated drinking water: Opportunities arising from the new Water Services Bill

Increasing water-related health threats, notably the waterborne campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North, have highlighted failings in NZ’s regulatory system for drinking water.

A report from Dr Tim Chambers, Prof Nick Wilson, Jayne Richards, A/Prof Simon Hales, Dr Mike Joy, Prof Michael Baker. Read it here

Drinking water study raises fresh concern over intensive farming

Parts of New Zealand are drawing pre-treated drinking water from rivers found to be regularly polluted with harmful nasties like E.Coli and campylobacter.  See this report from the NZ Herald's Jamie Morton.

Water proposals 'biggest shake up' since 1989 reforms

Reforms to national water standards will be the "biggest shake up" local government has received in 30 years, Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson says. Read more.

Government announces allocation of three waters funds for councils

The Government has  set out the regional allocations of the $761 million Three Waters stimulus and reform funding for councils announced by Prime Minister Hon Jacinda Ardern this month. See Local Government Minister, Nanaia Mahuta's media release

Climate change national risk assessment for NZ launched

The risk to our drinking water is been ranked highest on a list of climate change risks facing the country.

The Climate Change Risk assessment report has identified potable water the most significant climate change risk facing the country rated on the basis on consequence and urgency.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the report outlines the consequences of previous inaction.

Go here for the RNZ report.

Tasman Council consults on permanent chlorination solution

Water New Zealand's Noel Roberts has joined a panel of industry experts to talk about drinking water safety in the Tasman District. Go here to read the Stuff article.

Calls for ‘managed retreat’ law due to climate change

The review of the Resource Management Act has recommended that a new law be added to the books to handle adaptation to the impacts of climate change. 

Go here to see the Newsroom report.

New Water Engineering Programme

The University of Canterbury (UC) Master of Civil Engineering has a new water engineering endorsement programme for professionals seeking specialisation in selected water engineering topics.

See Flyer 

Irrigation New Zealand restructures in response to sector's needs

Irrigation New Zealand is restructuring to put renewed focus on solving the tension between the fundamental need for irrigation in a post-COVID New Zealand, and the sector’s increasingly restricted licence to operate.

Read more

Study on microplastics resumes post-lockdown

An ESR study on how microplastics are interacting with New Zealand’s marine ecosystems, has been restarted after lockdown delays. Read more

Where water and culture collide

The Ministry for the Environment’s recent freshwater report outlines the scale of the country’s pollution problem and makes many references to Māori ways of thinking, but what does it take to really understand an issue from another culture’s perspective? ask Emeritus Professor Lydia Wevers and Associate Professor Maria Bargh.

Go here for the Newsroom article.

Water reforms presents challenges - Kāpiti mayor

Kāpiti Coast District Council is facing the potential alienation of $330 million of its core assets to a yet-to-be-established public entity as part of a major government reform of the delivery of water, wastewater and stormwater by councils across the country, mayor K Gurunathan said. Read more.

NZTA First version of asset management data standard being released

After much anticipation, the first version of the asset management data standard is being released on 31 July 2020.

In collaboration with the Road Efficiency Group, and with significant input from the local government and transport sectors, Waka Kotahi is developing an asset management data standard to enable better land transport investment decision-making.

“This is an important and significant milestone in the Asset Management Data Standard project because we are moving closer to the prototyping and testing phase,” says Giles Southwell, GM Workplace and Technology at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. “Our partnership with the REG in developing the AMDS is vital to its successful delivery.”

Andrew McKillop, REG Programme Manager says “the Road Efficiency Group was set up to lead change and improve public confidence in the land transport sector and is therefore fully committed to supporting the delivery of this important initiative in partnership with Waka Kotahi. The adoption of a new standard will be a significant driver to improve the quality of data across the sector and lead improved decision-making by road controlling authorities.”

The purpose of the standard is to establish a common language creating a consistent way for the local government and transport sectors to define and describe land transport assets. The AMDS will enable road controlling authorities including Waka Kotahi to make better land transport investment decisions. Other benefits include:

  • Enabling better management of land transport assets
  • Providing opportunities for sector-wide sharing and collaboration
  • Supporting better allocation of funding
  • Enabling better understanding and prioritisation of regional transport needs
  • Providing access to and confidence in all asset related data
  • Achieving possible annual saving of approximately $70m

Waka Kotahi is working with the team of experts developing the 3Waters standard to ensure synergy and engaging one-on-one with all road controlling authorities to better understand the kind of support needed to implement the data standard.

This first version of the data standard and technical specifications will be released on the AMDS webpage www.nzta.govt.nz/amds where interested parties will be able to download specifications and have a play around with the model.

The reasoning behind releasing the AMDS in versions is to be able to measure suitability for use, aid discussion, gather feedback, gauge impact, provide visibility to asset management software (AMS) vendors and enable early prototyping which will be undertaken by a representative group of road controlling authorities to test the impact of the new standard ‘in action’.

There will be four releases leading up to the AMDS being implemented in mid-2021. Each release will deliver new asset types, along with an environmental lens and changes or additional information from feedback on the previous release.

A series of workshops are planned for early August to give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the AMDS and provide essential feedback to its development. Feedback is being sought fromroad maintenance providers, road controlling authorities, data system developers and solution providers, and anyone with an interest in the development and implementation of the standard.

The AMDS workshops are being held in Hamilton (3 Aug), Auckland (4 Aug), Wellington (6 Aug), Christchurch (10 Aug), and Dunedin (11 Aug). Click here to register to attend a workshop.

For more information visit the AMDS webpage - www.nzta.govt.nz/amds or email the team at amds@nzta.govt.nz.

Three Waters Reform Programme: Frequently Asked Questions

The central and local government Steering Committee has put together the following compilation of FAQs to assist councils with an understanding of the proposed reform programme. These will be added to and updated as further questions arise and the reform programme progresses. Go to the DIA website for the latest information. 

Nanaia Mahuta discusses three waters reform

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta discusses the challenges and options ahead for three waters reform, including the $761-million to councils for immediate repairs, maintenance and renewals.  Go here to listen to the RNZ nine to noon interview.

Southern councils push on with major water study

Southern councils are pushing ahead with a review of consolidated water services as the Government announced $761 million for major upgrades to water services. Read the Stuff story here.

Bottled water royalty plans on ice

A formal government pledge to charge for bottled water exports has fallen short - but one group says it was never going to address the real problems related to water use in New Zealand, the Newsroom's Sam Sachdeva reports.

DNA analysis: Havelock North gastro outbreak could have hit more than 8000

Havelock North's disastrous gastro outbreak could have infected thousands more than first thought, a major new DNA analysis has found. Read the story here.

Water, money, control

The Newsroom's Dileepa Fonseka looks at whether the Government be able to convince councils to opt in to new regionally-based water organisations. Read his report.  

Leaky pipes especially serious in rural areas

Information from Water New Zealand's National Performance Review has found that rural communities have some of the worst leaky water pipes in the country with some regional councils losing as much as 50 percent of the water put into their pipes. Read the RNZ story. 

Auckland's leaky pipes

"The nice thing about reducing our water loss is that it's an environmental win, whereas wastewater recycling and desalination are a bit of a lose because there's an energy and carbon penalty attached to them." says Water New Zealand's Lesley Smith on RNZ.  Go here to read the full story.

Plastic Free July Challenge

Water New Zealand is supporting the Plastic Free July Challenge by encouraging people to think about the damage plastic pollution is doing to our wastewater systems and the devastating effect it is having on our freshwater environment.

Keep a lookout on our social media for resources and ideas to help you reduce plastic waste!

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter 

Celebrating Matariki

By Troy Brockbank (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi)
Water New Zealand Board Member & Kaitohutohu Matua Taiao (WSP)

Matariki atua ka eke mai i te rangi e roa,

E whāngainga iho ki te mata o te tau e roa e.

Divine Matariki come forth from the far-off heaven,

Bestow the first fruits of the year upon us.

Matariki is an important event for Aotearoa New Zealand that occurs every year and signals the start of the Māori new year. Matariki is a time to celebrate, reflect, and acknowledge the past, present and future.

Matariki (Pleaides) is a cluster of stars that are visible in the night sky at a specific time of the year. It disappears from our view in Haratua (April/May) and reappears on the dawn horizon in Pipiri (June/July). This year Matariki is anticipated to rise between the 13-16th July 2020.

Acknowledging and celebrating Matariki has in recent years become an increasingly important part of our national conversation and identity. It has significantly aided in the naturalisation of Te Ao Māori (Māori worldviews) in communities and ignited all cultures to celebrate their relationship with the whenua (land). Now we are talking about the possibility of Matariki becoming a national holiday.

Interestingly there are three stars (Waipuna-ā-rangi, Waitī, Waitā) within the Matariki star cluster that have a deep connection with water.

  • Waipuna-ā-rangi is associated with precipitation and is often referred to as ‘the spring in the sky’. Rain from Waipuna-ā-rangi helps nourish the whenua (land) and waterbodies and is returned through evaporation. Using the water cycle, Waipuna-ā-rangi reminds us that manaaki (generosity) that is given to others, will eventually be returned.
  • Waitī is associated with fresh waterbodies and all the food sources, and creatures within. Rainfall from Waipuna-a-rangi nourishes the freshwater bodies watched by Waitī, before they flow out to the saltwater bodies of Waitā. This flow of freshwater from the upper catchment to the sea reminds us of our connection to water, and to each other.
  • Waitā is associated with oceans and salt waterbodies and all the food sources, and creatures within. It receives the flow of water from the freshwater bodies on the land. It reminds us that our actions upstream can have adverse effects downstream.

In addition, there are other stars in the Matariki cluster that also associated with elements of Te Hurihanga wai (the water cycle);

  • Ururangi is associated with wind and aids in the returning of water to Waipuna-ā-rangi through evaporation - as the waters of Papatūānuku are heated by Tamanuiterā (The sun).
  • Tupu ā nuku and Tupu ā rangi are associated with the growing of kai within and and ontop of the whenua (land). They also incorporate infiltration of water into the whenua to be uptaken by rakau(trees) to provide water for growing kai, but also to help the rakau/vegetation cool down through transpiration. They also provide us - ngā tāngata (the people) - with a source of water through kai.

Matariki is also a time to celebrate new life, remember those who’ve passed and to plan for the future.So to all our members and those in the wider water sector, we hope you are enjoying this time to welcome new arrivals and reflect on the life and contribution of those who have passed this year.

Matariki hunga, Matariki ahunga nui.

Matariki has many admirers, Matariki brings us together

Government to test sewage at managed isolation facilities

The country's Crown Research Institute in charge of testing for Covid-19 will begin testing the sewage of managed isolation facilities. 

Click here to read the Newsroom story.


Innovation Workshop 2020

The 2020 Water Conference will include a new opportunity to promote innovation in our industry. There is a 1.5 hour slot devoted to this challenge, that I have agreed to coordinate.

From experience, the best technical innovation occurs when there is a known problem to solve that can have extensive application. Often solutions can be adapted or developed by building on existing technologies or approaches. For this commitment we often fall to the supplier, consulting or scientific communities for investment.

So why not help these communities - by identifying problems?

This workshop will be devoted to revealing technical problems facing the industry. When we know how extensive these problems are, there should be more incentive for them to commit to development of new solutions through innovation.

You are invited to help.

Would you be prepared to present your big six challenges that your employer faces in the next 30 years? They must be challenges that are constrained by:

  • Ready access to suitable or new technology
  • Legal or planning limitations
  • Public or community group opposition
  • Geography and/or resource use
  • Skills

NOTE: Cost is a constraint that is deliberately omitted. Innovation will not happen when it is constrained by cost from the onset.

  • You would have no more than 5 minutes to present. This would allow 12-15 presentations in the session.
  • As the workshop proceeds, the audience would be asked to prepare questions about these challenges that they record and pass to the coordinator of the workshop.
  • After the workshop, the coordinator would then undertake to collate the challenges and questions and canvass the industry to identify how widespread the issues are. The results of the canvassing would then be given back to those in the room as challenges for future innovation.
  • I hope you are keen to take part in trying out a new idea to link our water industry that enables Water New Zealand to show technical collaboration and leadership for its entire membership.

If you are willing to present or even just send me your challenges, please contact me at:

Rob.Blakemore@wellingtonwater.co.nz
Tel 021302801

RMA law promotes healthy waterways - Parker

A law that makes crucial environmental improvements to the RMA, particularly for freshwater, has passed its third and final reading today. See Environment Minister, David Parker's news release.

Shane Jones wants fast-track version of Resource Management Act to stay

Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones wants the fast-track version of the Resource Management Act (RMA) to become the new norm. Read the RNZ story

Iwi want to block Auckland bid to draw water from Waikato River

Waikato iwi want to block Auckland Council's bid to more than double the city's daily water grab from the Waikato River.

Auckland's mayor has asked the Environment Select Committee to add the consent to the list of 11 fast-tracked projects on the Covid-19 Recovery Bill.  See the RNZ story.

Why can't Wellington handle a little rain?

With its ageing infrastructure and pipe network, how will the city cope with the predicted increase in intense rainfall events? Read the Stuff story.

Taumata Arowai Seeks Drinking Water Treatment Equipment Suppliers

The Taumata Arowai (water regulator) establishment unit is looking to develop an acceptable solution for household point-of-entry type water treatment systems in New Zealand for use in rural/agricultural supplies. As part of this we are collecting information about the range of cartridge filter and UV disinfection systems currently available. It is our goal that the equipment compliant with this acceptable solution is widely available and economic whilst setting a standard that provides potable water with an acceptable level of risk. If your company currently sells drinking water treatment equipment of this type it would be helpful if you are able to provide some brief information about the products that you sell. The Taumata Arowai establishment unit are hoping to further develop cooperative relationships in the water industry as their work on the new water regulator progresses.

The acceptable solution will define limits of application of these units in terms of water quality. These limits are still being developed, and the input from this enquiry will assist in informing the limits that will be defined. It is expected a reasonably low untreated turbidity limit will be defined, likely in the range 2-10 NTU. Consideration will be given to the use of cartridge filters for both pre-treatment and for protozoa removal.

For household-sized installations, we are particularly interested in:

• The make/models of UV disinfection units that you sell. Please provide all models of a capacity likely to be suitable for this application. For these units:

  • What is the design flow rate and UVT design levels?
  • What certifications (e.g. NSF, DVGW) do they have?
  • What monitoring/alarm functions are available? Our preference would be to include a sensor capable of alarming lamp or fouling faults, but the cost effectiveness would need to be evaluated.
  • The make/model of cartridge filtration units that you sell. For each of these units what is the micron rating (nominal and/or absolute) and what certifications do they have?
  • How do you manage intermittent flows that can occur with point of use devices? For example, do UV lamps have continuous or intermittent operation and any issues that should be considered in where units are located within a householder’s plumbing?
  • For all units for which you provide information, could you please also give an indication of supply price, options pricing, consumable pricing and maintenance requirements.
  • Any commentary you have around practical issues effecting the reliability or performance of devices of this type or suggestions that could be appropriate for incorporation into a standard would be appreciated.

Technical and commercial information provided from this enquiry will be incorporated in reports in a summarised form only, that will not allow individual suppliers to be identified.

The table below may make it easier for you to compile the information, however, information can be provided in other formats if preferred.

Supplier name
Supplier contact info

UV/Cartridge filter make/modelFor UV: design flowFor UV: design UVTFor cartridge: micron ratingCertificationsAlarms/ monitoringSupply priceConsumables and priceRecommended maintenanceNotes/comments

Your participation in this survey is very much appreciated. Please get in touch with Kathryn.jessamine@beca.com if you have any further questions about what sort of information we are looking for. We are looking for responses by 26 June 2020.

Home is where the water is

Reconsidering our national and regional water infrastructure - how will life and the services we need change?  Read this report from Newsroom's business editor, Nikki Mandow.

Investing in the three waters is undoubtedly going to be a priority - Wellington Mayor, Andy Foster

Wellington's mayor says the city's water issues show that there is a clear message coming through for transparency and openness about the state of water assets.

Read the Herald Story 

$180m fund to keep Auckland’s taps flowing

Temporary water treatment units and a desalination project for seawater are possible as Watercare prepares to spend up to counter Auckland's historic drought. Go here to read the Newsroom story.

Freshwater reforms to lead to massive emissions reductions

The Government's newly-announced freshwater reforms will lead to tens of millions of tonnes of emissions reductions.  This report from the Newsroom's Marc Daalder 

Auckland drought: Recycling sewage water 'technically possible'

Water New Zealand says recycling wastewater for drinking is a solution that has been used overseas but it would require considerable debate if it were to become an answer to Auckland's water shortage crisis.  Read the Stuff article.

Dairy company seeks to double its river discharge

Sewage fungus, bad smells and insinuations of ignored good faith clauses swirl in a dairy processing wastewater consent application heard in Hamilton last week

New Zealand’s second largest dairy processor wants to discharge wastewater into the polluted Waitoa River, including during summer when flows are low.  Read the Newsroom article

Hamilton could lend a hand with Auckland water crisis - RNZ

Auckland's water crisis is leading the city to look to its neighbour for help.

Hamilton has been asked to consider stepping in and lending the bigger city some of its unallocated water. Read more

What if we had the benefit of Hindsight?

Find out what Acting Chair of Urban Water Working Group, Stu Farrant has to say in our latest Water journal about COVID-19 and how it provides a chance to build a more sustainable future. He urges Government and Councils to use this opportunity to re-set, not simply re-build. 

Read More 

Council collaboration to deliver water services being investigated - CODC

In light of the Government’s Three Waters Review, Otago and Southland councils have been discussing whether a collaborative approach to water services delivery (drinking water, stormwater and wastewater) could benefit Otago and Southland communities and the environment.  Read more

Three billion dollar Infrastructure boost a good start

Three billion dollar Infrastructure boost a good start

14 May 2020

Water New Zealand says the Government’s Budget plans to allocate another $3 billion to fund “shovel ready” infrastructure projects, on top of the previously allocated $12 billion, is welcomed but lacks detail.

Acting Chief Executive, John Mackie says that the additional budget allocation boosts the total allocation to $15b and will enable an early start on some of the projects compiled by the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group.

However, the detail of projects to be funded will not be known until the Infrastructure Reference Group reports back to Cabinet in the coming weeks or months.

He says that today’s budget did not identify which of the 1,924 “shovel ready” projects totalling an estimated $136 billion currently under consideration would be approved.

“While the extra $3-billion was identified as contingency funding, there may be more to come on the basis of today’s announcement, however, only a little over two percent of the initial “wish-list” would make the cut.

“We are also keen to see the detail of how this allocation is distributed over the infrastructure sectors which includes water, transport, housing, environment and health.

“Our hope is that water specific projects may make up a sizeable fraction of the $15-billion spend as water infrastructure has been identified as one of the critical areas for investment.

“We remain hopeful that water capture and storage schemes will feature in the final programme to provide sustainable community and productive use and improve drought resilience.”

Persistance of Coronavirus on Surfaces

The Journal of Hospital Infection has published an analysis of coronavirus incubation times and the effectiveness of surface disinfection procedures. 

Read More

 

Climate change: lakes and rivers will become drier, increasingly infectious and toxic

By dragging our feet on climate action, we increasingly condemn our beloved lakes and rivers to a future of salmonella contamination, algal blooms, species extinctions and drying out.

Our Freshwater 2020, produced by the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics, is a stark reminder that the already-threatened health of our waterways rests on our ability to urgently shift away from fossil fuels. Read more.

IrrigationNZ endorses Govt support of regional post-COVID-19 recovery through PGF funding

IrrigationNZ believes the water projects that have been included in the $48 million loans from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will be a great step towards boosting the economy following the impact of COVID-19.

Read more

New LAWA groundwater quality topic launched online

New Zealand’s underground freshwater quality data publicly accessible LAWA (Land, Air, Water Aotearoa) has released a new online topic that shows the quality of New Zealand’s vital underground water resources. The Groundwater Quality topic makes monitoring data from almost 800 wells publicly accessible.  Read more

COVID-19 Guidance for Legionella and Building Water System Closures

The focus of this guidance is to reduce Legionella growth and other pathogen and corrosion concerns that occur when there is a large drop in building water use. The guidance focuses on potable water systems inside larger buildings with complex plumbing and the information is general in nature. Each building is different and will require different actions based on its plumbing systems, use patterns, and source of water supply.

View the document here.  

6 Things Water Professionals Can Do During Isolation

As New Zealand enters its fourth week of lockdown, we here at Water New Zealand thought some Water Professionals may be running out of things to do, so here are a couple of activities that all Water Professionals and their families can enjoy while they are isolating at home.

We hope everyone is staying safe in their bubbles. 

Bin it, don't block it - new campaign calls on Kiwis to keep essential workers safe

Water New Zealand is welcoming the Ministry for the Environment's new campaign encouraging New Zealanders to bin wet wipes – rather than flushing them down the toilet.

The Ministry has launched the campaign as part of the Government’s overall effort to address the impacts of COVID-19.  See more here.

COVID-19 Webinar: Significance and impact of the Pandemic for the Water Sector

As a result of the current coronavirus pandemic and the necessity to better understand, monitor and respond to the situation, Prof. Rosina Girones, Research Group Leader at the University of Barcelona, and Prof. Gertjan Medema, Principle Microbiologist at KWR, share in-depth insights on the latest research and outlook for the whole water sector.

Duration: 1 hour

Webinar Link Here

Prof. Rosina Girones - Conclusions

1) Direct droplet transmission is an important route of transmission, but fecal excretion, environmental contamination, and fomites might contribute to viral transmission.

2) Potential fecal-oral transmission might pose an increased risk in contained living premises such as hostels, dormitories, trains, buses and cruise ships.

3) SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in sewage and has been described to survive for 14 days in sewage at 4°C, 2 days at 20°C, however, no fecal-oral transmission is described at the present for COVID-19. Aerosol contamination from fecal wastes of COVID-19 must be controlled, specially at low temperatures in periods of high incidence of COVID-19.

4) SARS-CoV-2 is sensitive to temperatures and disinfectants.

5) Until more data is available, it is expected that the new coronavirus would be less abundant as an infectious virus in sewage than known enteric viruses and less stable in currently applied water treatments in WWTP and DWTP. Available international guidelines for water reuse considering viral pathogens should be efficient for protecting against SARS-CoV-2.

Prof. Gertjan Medema - Conclusions

Are there health risks to workers? (i.e. of Wastewater Treatment Plant or Drinking Water Treatment Plant workers)

  • No epidemiological signal SARS1, SARS2
  • No case reports SARS1, SARS2
  • What we detected ≠ infectious virus
  • Are SARS-CoV-2 shed in stools infectious?
    • limited evidence indicates: not very
  • Survival in wastewater?
    • The virus is not robust in wastewater
    • Limited evidence SARS1: 2 days 20°C, 2 weeks 4°C
    • Limited evidence: not in effluent

Advice: Standard personal protection is safe

Countdown supports efforts to reduce wastewater blockages

Well done Countdown! Thanks for helping get the "don't flush wipes" message out.  See more

​Bin it, don’t block it!

COVID-19 has led to a big spike in people using toilet paper alternatives such as wet wipes, this means more blocked pipes.

Flushing wet wipes, paper towels and tissues risks the safety of our emergency wastewater workers who must leave their safe home bubble to unblock pipes.

Please share this social media infographic and help keep our emergency wastewater workers safe. All wipes,paper towels and tissues must go in the bin.

Only flush the 3p’s: poo, pee and toilet paper down the loo!

Let’s all help each other stay safe!

MOH portal for non-health essential services to request PPE

MOH now have a portal for non-health essential services to request PPE from the national reserve supply. Note at this stage it is only face masks available through this channel. The portal is available here. 

COVID-19 Essential Workers Guidance

COVID-19: We are all aware of steps being taken to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Most of this advice is about avoiding large gatherings, maintaining good personal hygiene, avoiding non-essential meetings and minimising close contact with others. This is all good advice. 

You are essential: As part of the COVID-19 response, some workers can stop working or work from isolated locations. For essential services workers, such as healthcare and utility staff, work has to continue for the wellbeing of the greater community. The provision of safe drinking water and removal of wastewater is an essential service. It’s the most important part of the preventive public health system, protects the environment and provides water for fire-fighting and other essential uses. So, your role is essential to maintain the lifeblood of society. 

Keeping you safe: As we know, the top priority for water utilities is keeping staff safe at all times. This guidance note provides some simple advice for improving the safety of ourselves and our co-workers and for helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 virus at work. Some of us can work in an isolated location, such as from home, and that home may not be set up for working safely. We need to make those workspaces safer in that context. In addition, some of us need to physically get to and from work sites and work in offices, depots, at treatment plants, on sites and at field locations. This guidance provides advice for water utilities on keeping staff safe whilst continuing with that essential work.

Read more here. 

TorjanUV - COVID-19 and Water

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, questions about the virus’s potential transmission and/or persistence in drinking water and wastewater are being asked.

Based on interim guidance issued by the World Health Organization on March 19, 2020, there is currently no evidence about the survival of the COVID-19 virus in drinking water or sewage. It goes on to say that the virus has not been detected in drinking water supplies, and based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low.

This interim guidance also states that while there is no evidence to date about survival of the COVID-19 virus in water or sewage, the virus is likely to become inactivated significantly faster than non-enveloped human enteric viruses with known waterborne transmission – such as adenoviruses, norovirus, rotavirus and hepatitis A. It also points out that other human coronaviruses have been shown to be sensitive to chlorination and disinfection with ultraviolet (UV) light.

Read more here. 

How to Stay COVID free at a WRRF

The Water Environment Federation has created an infographic on "How to stay COVID free at a Waste Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF)" also known as a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Now more than ever, all WWTP operations need to communicate proper PPE use and ensure hygiene practices are protective against coronaviruses and other waterborne infectious viruses. 

How to Stay COVID Free at the WRRF.pdf

Ministry of Health guidance on PPE and cleaning

The Ministry of Health has issued guidance on cleaning rooms/facilities following a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19. It is attached. The guidance mainly details the method of cleaning required – in terms of product they recommend any 2-in-1 cleaning product is suitable (i.e. one that has cleaning and disinfectant properties). The guidelines are quite detailed, but it is worth bearing in mind they are for instances where someone is a suspected, probable or confirmed case. So for general cleaning purposes where there is no suspected, probable or confirmed case I think the most useful piece of information in this guidance is that a 2-in-1 cleaning product is sufficient. 

The Ministry of Health have also issued guidance on face masks and hygiene here. The guidance provides detail on how to use PPE if required. But, more pertinently, it advises that facemasks and gloves are not recommended in workplaces where people can maintain a 1 metre distance from others. They also make the point (and this has been reinforced in a number of stand ups and other comms) that face masks are most useful on people who are infected, as it prevents the dispersal of droplets by an infected patient and the inhalation of droplets if within 1 metre of a coughing individual. For those who are not sick, hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette will make the biggest difference.

Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for COVID-19

The World Health Organisation has recently published a technical brief, "Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Waste Management for the COVID-19 virus". It is intended for all water and sanitation practitioners and providers and health care providers to be educated about water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) risks and practices.

The most important information concerning WASH and the COVID-19 virus is summarised here:

  • Frequent and proper hand hygiene is one of the most important measures that can be used to prevent infection with the COVID-19 virus. WASH practitioners should work to enable more frequent and regular hand hygiene by improving facilities and using proven behavior-change techniques.
  • WHO guidance on the safe management of drinking-water and sanitation services applies to the COVID-19 outbreak. Extra measures are not needed. Disinfection will facilitate more rapid die-off of the COVID-19 virus.
  • Many co-benefits will be realised by safely managing water and sanitation services and applying good hygiene practices. 

​COVID-19 Identifying Essential Services staff

We have received the following advice from Police:

In terms of identification for your workers who are required to be out in the community delivering essential services, there is no ‘official’ or standard identification card or similar that is required. Rather, Police will take a reasonable approach and endeavour to confirm the role of anyone spoken to, for example by the individual producing:

- A letter of authorisation on company letterhead, or

- A company identification card, or

- A business card with company logo, or

- A copy of an email from a company manager.

If in doubt, our officers have been directed to make enquiries by telephone to confirm identification.

For the latest information on COVID-19 visit covid19.govt.nz

Schools, hospital among providers of drinking water that's not demonstrably safe

More than one million New Zealanders are regularly drinking water that is not demonstrably safe to drink, an issue that makes tens of thousands of people sick each year and would cost billions of dollars to address, Government documents show.

Among the suppliers known to be failing their legal requirements are schools, a hospital, a Government agency, and numerous local authorities.

A series of Cabinet papers regarding the Government's planned reform of the drinking water sector, as well as years of compliance records, show the existing system is dysfunctional, with basic data unavailable and public health left in the hands of small community groups, private companies, and under-resourced councils. Read more

Coronavirus panic causing unprecedented blockages in Auckland's sewage system

1 NEWS can reveal wet wipes flushed down toilets are causing pumping stations to break down weekly when normally they have problems only once or twice a year.

Repairs for breakdowns are costing ratepayers three times as much as regular maintenance.

Watercare staff say the sanitizing wipes problems are unprecedented and came as people became more concerned about avoiding coronavirus.

"People are scared of Covid-19 so they're cleaning a lot more and instead of chucking it in the rubbish, they want to get rid of the virus, so they chuck it down the toilet - out of sight out of mind," waste plant technician Alain Sayers told 1 NEWS.  Read more and watch video

Water Industry Professionals Association (WIPA)

WIPA

Water Industry Professionals Association

We are passionate about water industry professionals

The Water Industry Professional Association (WIPA) provides a continuing professional development and registration programme for water industry professionals. The vision and mission of WIPA is to have a competent and capable water industry workforce supported by a comprehensive continuing professional development and registration programme for water industry professionals who meet specified criteria so they can demonstrate a high level of competence.

It’s about ensuring a high level of competency within the industry is maintained.

More information on WIPA can be found here

How do I enrol into WIPA?

If you want to enrol into the WIPA programme, please complete the enrolment form found here.

If you have any questions, please contact us on info@wipa.co.nz

Registration information can be found here

Programme Costs

There is a one-off fee for approved applicants to enrol into the WIPA programme. Once you have enrolled you will be required to pay an annual administration fee to ensure your enrolment stays current.

Enrolment fee: $150 + GST

Annual Administration fee: $100 + GST

Course attendance incurs a separate fee at the applicants own/employers’ cost. More information on course fees can be found here.

You will need to click into the specific course for further information about the specific course.

Gaining CPD Credits

Water industry employees who are enrolled in the WIPA CPD programme can earn CPD credits by attending training courses that are listed on the WIPA website, and below. To become a Registered Water Industry Professional, applicants must gain 30 WIPA CPD credits within a two-year period. You can gain these credits through:

  • approved WIPA courses
  • presenting a paper at a conference (3 credits for a 30-minute presentation)

Below is the current listing of courses provided to the WIPA programme. Check the website regularly for additional courses as they become available.

Drinking Water

  • Backflow Prevention
  • Chlorination Basics
  • Corrosion protection of steel assets in water/wastewater treatment plants
  • Critical Control Points for water supplies
  • Flexitec PVC Pipe Design & Installation
  • Introduction to Water Safety Planning
  • Polytec Injection Extrusion Welding
  • Polytec PE Pipe Design and Installation
  • Polytec PE Pipe Buttwelding
  • Polytec PE Pipe and Fittings Electrofusion
  • Polytec PE Pipe Welding
  • Polytec PE Pipe and Fittings Welding QA Inspection
  • Polyethylene Pipe Welding
  • Principles and Trends in Water Treatment
  • The 6 Principles of Drinking Water Safety in Practice
  • Water Sampling Potable Water

Wastewater

  • Corrosion protection of steel assets in water/wastewater treatment plants
  • Flexitec PVC Pipe Design & Installation
  • Polytec Injection Extrusion Welding
  • Polytec PE Pipe Design and Installation
  • Polytec PE Pipe Buttwelding
  • Polytec PE Pipe and Fittings Electrofusion
  • Polytec PE Pipe and Fittings Welding QA Inspection
  • Polyethylene Pipe Welding
  • Prevention of concrete corrosion in water/wastewater treatment plants and chemical bunds
  • Principles and Trends in Wastewater Treatment
  • Water Sampling Environmental and Wastewater

Stormwater

  • Flexitec PVC Pipe Design & Installation
  • Polytec Injection Extrusion Welding
  • Polytec PE Pipe Design and Installation
  • Polytec PE Pipe Buttwelding
  • Polytec PE Pipe and Fittings Electrofusion
  • Polytec PE Pipe and Fittings Welding QA Inspection
  • Polyethylene Pipe Welding

Essential Skills

Watch this space as we add courses as they become available.

Course providers - if you have a course you would like to include on WIPA, please email info@wipa.co.nz with course information.

The WIPA is a joint venture between the Water Industry Operations Group and Water New Zealand

If you have any questions, please contact us on info@wipa.co.nz

Owhiro Bay sewage smell just one of Wellington's water infrastructure issues

Residents in Wellington's Owhiro Bay say the sewage smell is the worst it’s been in decades after a sewage spill at a nearby landfill.  Read more

Putting a price on our water – do we value it enough?

OPINION: Could you guess how much water you used yesterday? A hundred litres, maybe even 200? My guess is that you'd probably be way short of the mark.

New Zealanders use a staggering amount of water. On average, each of us uses between 140 and 500 litres a day. Our neighbours across the ditch also use a lot but not as much as us – state-wide data shows Australians use between 155 and 368 litres of water a day. Compare that to water-efficient countries such as Denmark, where they use less than 110 litres per person.  Read more

Auckland and Wellington councils face pressure over water woes

President of Water New Zealand Kelvin Hill told Heather Du Plessis-Allan ratepayers will probably cop a big chunk of the water bill. 

Listen here.

Water meters: the "third rail" of council politics

Hamilton’s longest-serving councillor Dave Macpherson was first elected in 1998 and has been campaigning against water meters for at least a decade. This week he took to Facebook to decry water meters. Again.

No vote is scheduled to bring them in, but Waikato Regional Councillors unwisely decided to bring the matter up in front of Macpherson at a meeting between Hamilton City Council and the regional council.

"I've had city-based regional councillors -- they have four city seats on that -- contact me after and say 'we weren't the ones supporting that note. It was the rural ones, not us'," Macpherson said.

"They're aware of what an issue it is in Hamilton," he said.

Macpherson has fought two election campaigns to stop bringing in water meters in Hamilton. That included one, in 2016, where he campaigned with a 'no water meters' party affiliation beside his name on the ballot paper.

Hamilton’s longest-serving councillor Dave Macpherson was first elected in 1998 and has been campaigning against water meters for at least a decade. This week he took to Facebook to decry water meters. Again.

No vote is scheduled to bring them in, but Waikato Regional Councillors unwisely decided to bring the matter up in front of Macpherson at a meeting between Hamilton City Council and the regional council.

"I've had city-based regional councillors -- they have four city seats on that -- contact me after and say 'we weren't the ones supporting that note. It was the rural ones, not us'," Macpherson said.

"They're aware of what an issue it is in Hamilton," he said.

Macpherson has fought two election campaigns to stop bringing in water meters in Hamilton. That included one, in 2016, where he campaigned with a 'no water meters' party affiliation beside his name on the ballot paper.

A watery patchwork

He credited the stance for thousands of extra votes that rocketed him from being the lowest polling councillor at the election before to the third-highest polling in 2016. He lost those votes at the most recent local government election when water meters wasn't an issue.

"I've been elected eight times now and that's the only time I've had 'No water meters' beside my name...I've never been the top-polling candidate but that time [there] was a significant jump," Macpherson said.

Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin don't have meters, but Auckland, Christchurch and Tauranga do. Auckland's Watercare charges $1.52 per 1,000 litres for fresh water and $2.62 per 1,000 litres for waste water, while Tauranga charges $2.14 per thousand litres of fresh water. Christchurch has meters, but doesn't charge per 1,000 litres.

Statistics from Water New Zealand for 2018 also show Hamiltonians use 40 percent more water per capita than Aucklanders do: 224 litres per day vs 160 litres per day.

He credited the stance for thousands of extra votes that rocketed him from being the lowest polling councillor at the election before to the third-highest polling in 2016. He lost those votes at the most recent local government election when water meters wasn't an issue.

"I've been elected eight times now and that's the only time I've had 'No water meters' beside my name...I've never been the top-polling candidate but that time [there] was a significant jump," Macpherson said.

Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin don't have meters, but Auckland, Christchurch and Tauranga do. Auckland's Watercare charges $1.52 per 1,000 litres for fresh water and $2.62 per 1,000 litres for waste water, while Tauranga charges $2.14 per thousand litres of fresh water. Christchurch has meters, but doesn't charge per 1,000 litres.

Statistics from Water New Zealand for 2018 also show Hamiltonians use 40 percent more water per capita than Aucklanders do: 224 litres per day vs 160 litres per day.

Read more. 

How ‘run to failure’ failed in Wellington

A prediction that councils have systematically under-invested in pipes by $6-7b is coming true in Wellington. Decades of choosing lower rates increases above investment is coming home to roost. Read more

Water Qualifications Review Outcome

Connexis has reviewed all of the water treatment-based qualifications. While there were no substantive changes to the outcome of the qualifications, there is now a slightly different suite of qualifications aimed at future-proofing the qualifications pathway in the long term.


The result of the review is that the following qualifications have been approved and listed at NZQA:

  • NZC in Water Treatment (Small Scale Systems) (Level 3) with strands in Drinking-water and Wastewater 
  • NZC in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 4) with an optional strand in Multistage Processes  – the programme behind the Level 4 programmes have not changed so no learner/industry will not be disadvantaged. New programmes have also been approved.
  • NZC in Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) with an optional strand in Multistage Processes.
  • NZD in Drinking-water Treatment (Level 5) – the original Diploma qualifications have yet to be released so the new Diploma qualifications will now be used. The proposed programmes have not changed. New programmes have also been approved.
  • NZD in Wastewater Treatment (Level 5).

The following qualifications have now expired:

  • NZC in Water Treatment (Level 3) with strands in Drinking-water and Wastewater  – incorporated into the L3 in Small Scale Systems.
  • NZD in Water Treatment (Level 5) with strands in Drinking-water and Wastewater – replaced by two separate Diploma qualifications.
  • NZC in Water Treatment (Level 4) with strands in Drinking-water, Wastewater, Drinking water Multistage Processes, Wastewater Multistage Processes – replaced with two separate L4 qualifications.
  • NZD in Drinking-water Assessment (Level 5) – a more fit for purpose qualification to be developed.

The following qualifications are to be developed:

  • NZC in Drinking-water Supply (Assessment) (Level 5) – this is a replacement for the previous diploma qualification that has never been released.
  • NZC in Onsite Wastewater Management System Design (Level 5) – this is a replacement for the older NC qualification that had expired a couple of years ago, however, the unit's standards are still being used by the industry.

Noel Roberts discusses Wellington's water issues

Water New Zealand's Technical Manager, Noel Roberts talks to RNZ's The Panel about Wellington's water problem and how it reflects a national issue of underfunding and undervaluing water.  Go here

Local councils need support in managing water

Calls for leadership on a national level in facing the country's water problems.

The Auditor-General has released a report detailing New Zealand's issues with its water systems.

It looks at the way councils and the Government oversee drinking water, wastewater, allocation and river quality.

Water NZ's Lesley Smith told Mike Hosking we have floods at one end of the country and droughts at the other.

"We need a clear set of national priorities so we can start prioritising and tackling the issues."

Listen to the full interview

Latest Wellington water woe has residents fed up after burst main turns bay brown

Burst residential water pipes and a slurry of dirty water spewing into a popular Wellington beach are just the latest issues in a string of incidents plaguing Wellington water authorities.  Read more

Lifting our gaze

Our country is seeing historically high levels of investment in major infrastructure projects, with the Government spending taxpayer dollars on infrastructure in every corner of New Zealand. At the same time, our construction sector, housing stock and the environment are all under significant pressure.

View Publication 

New establishment unit CEO named

Bill Bayfield has been appointed as the Establishment Chief Executive of Taumata Arowai, the new drinking water regulator.

Bill is currently CEO of Ecan (Environment Canterbury) can and has worked in both central and local government.

He will report to the Taumata Arowai Establishment Board once it is in place by June/July 2020.

The establishment Māori Advisory Group will provide guidance to the establishment board and establishment chief executive on tikanga, mātauranga, and Te Mana o Te Wai.

Bill will take up the role in May, and has been appointed on an 18-month fixed term basis to December 2021. He will lead the establishment of Taumata Arowai and its first six months of ‘going live’ in 2021 as the new drinking water regulator. The Taumata Arowai board will consider a permanent appointment for 2022 and beyond.

Read More 

Whangārei water cuts likely as district looks to supply Far North and Kaipara

Whangārei's almost 100,000 residents will likely soon need to cut their water use as the district moves to help desperate water-shortage-hit Far North and Kaipara communities. Read more

Nelson supermarket trying to educate its shoppers over dirty dangers of wet wipes

A Nelson supermarket could be the first in the country warning wet wipe consumers to bin not flush the pipe clogging throwaways.

A sign erected beside the wet wipes at Fresh Choice Nelson is urging customers, 'Please don't flush 'em. Wipes clog pipes. Save the planet.'

Read More 

Auckland Council's network discharge consent for Stormwater and Technical Reference Group

Auckland Council has asked Engineering New Zealand to nominate professional engineers with significant experience in the design or operation of stormwater networks for an exciting opportunity with the Healthy Waters department of Auckland Council.

Auckland Council Healthy Waters’ holds a region wide network discharge consent for stormwater discharges (NDC). The NDC is a key tool in managing and integrating land uses, stormwater discharges and the region’s natural water assets to reduce impacts from climate change and flooding and allow multiple community and environmental outcomes to be realised. As part of implementing the consent Auckland Council Healthy Waters is establishing an independent Technical Reference Group (TRG). The purpose of the TRG is to provide independent engineering, planning, ecological and cultural advice to support the implementation of the Auckland NDC. This independent advisory role is important for transparency and accountability in the implementation of this major resource consentand to help ensure best practice stormwater management is being adopted.

To ensure the independence of the appointments, Auckland Council has asked Engineering New Zealand to nominate professional engineers for appointment to the TRG.

To apply to be a member of the TRG, please send your CV and completed expressions of interest form to hello@engineeringnz.org with the subject line “Stormwater Engineer NDC Technical Reference Group” by no later than 5pm on Friday 21 February 2020.

Engineering New Zealand will be reviewing all applications and will make nominations to Healthy Waters for appointments into the TRG. Successful applicant’s will be contracted to Auckland Council for the duration of their time on the Technical Reference Group. For any queries, please contact hello@engineeringnz.org.

Further information on the NDC, including a link to the Environment Court consent order, can be found at www.aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/ndc.

Application Form

Auckland Council CEO Stephen Town to head new national polytechnic

Stephen Town has been named as the inaugural Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (working name). Currently in his final year leading the Auckland Council, Stephen will formally take up his new role on July 6, 2020.

IST Establishment Board Chair, Barry Jordan, said the Board were delighted to have attracted a candidate of Stephen’s high calibre after an extensive search for the right person to lead the creation of the new national Institute, which is due to come into effect on 1 April 2020.

“With more than 25 years as a Chief Executive, including a distinguished career in the local government sector, Stephen has a proven track record of bringing people together through periods of complex change. He has led initiatives to create jobs for long-term unemployed in South Auckland and built enduring relationships with iwi and hapū,” he said.

Read More 

A third of Wellington's wastewater pipes in poor condition

A third of Wellington's wastewater pipes are either in poor or very poor condition, making them in the worst state of the largest centres across the country. Read more

Damning report: Hutt City's woeful water pipes

A damning report reveals an extra $270m needs to be pumped into Hutt City's ageing water infrastructure, meaning the council would have to double its current budget for capital expenditure.  Read more

Draft Submission on the RMA Issues and Options Paper

Water New Zealand is currently drafting a short submission on the RMA Issues and Options Paper. The submission will be focusing on the key issues that related to the water sector, in particular:

  • The integration of land use planning and other natural and physical resources (Issue 4 in the Paper);
  • Climate change (Issue 5);
  • National direction (Issue 6);
  • Compliance, monitoring and enforcement (Issue 12);

Water New Zealand will also include some comments on Issues 7 (policy and planning) and 8 (consents) but with a focus on higher-order matters.

If anyone has a specific interest can they please contact Board member Helen Atkins: helen.atkins@ahmlaw.nz by email by close of business Friday, 31 January.

Why $12b isn’t enough to fill this infrastructure chasm

Jacinda Ardern is about to launch her campaign for re-election by announcing how she'll spend $12b on infrastructure. That seems a lot, but Newsroom's Dileepa Fonseka shows why it's just one half of the funding jigsaw needed to build tens of billions worth of roads, railways and pipes.  See more

Bushfires and the Risks to Drinking Water Quality

During active fires, forest litter is replaced by an ash and a charcoal layer with ash settling on lakes and reservoirs. Rainfall events post-fire can have a significant effect on water quality; from increased rates of erosion, increased sediments and turbidity and the introduction of a range of chemicals and precursors into the water supply. 

This factsheet highlights  the priority issues for concern, along with secondary issues that have been seen to arise across Australia and internationally. 

Wellington Water infrastructure failures place staff numbers under the pump

Wellington Water has its fingers crossed a third break in the city's dated infrastructure doesn't happen anytime soon.  Read more. 

$7m loan to firm up Wairarapa's water infrastructure secured

The prospect of extreme hot, dry temperatures caused by climate change has prompted a multimillion-dollar investment in Wairarapa's water infrastructure.

A $7m loan from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will finance the pre-construction development of a water storage and distribution structure at the Wakamoekau site, northwest of Masterton, Fletcher Tabuteau announced on Wednesday.

A further $110,000 will be used by the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, in conjunction with the Wairarapa Water Resilience Committee, to produce a climate change resilience strategy.

The decision has been welcomed by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) which has pointed to "a future of extreme conditions" for the Wairarapa region. Read more

Farmers' funds run dry, families struggle, as drought threatens eastern Northland

Extremely dry conditions across all of Northland are costing farmers hundreds of thousands of dollars and driving families to extreme measures to save precious water.

The region has just experienced its hottest and driest year, breaking 16 records in 2019.

The start of 2020 has also seen extremely dry conditions across Northland, said Ben Noll, a meteorologist and forecaster for The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).  Read more

Toxic algal blooms will be ongoing, says medical officer of health

Toxic algae outbreaks in South Canterbury rivers are only going to increase, the region's medical officer of health has warned.  Read more 

Albatross dies after being found on Hawke's Bay beach with plastic water bottle in its stomach

An albatross died with a 500ml plastic water bottle in its stomach after being found in an awful condition on a Hawke's Bay beach.  Read more

Time for govt to step up on sea level rise - new research

Local councils have been crying out for more central government help with planning for sea level rise. Now a series of independent reports has backed their call.  Read more

Water, water, everywhere, but for how long?

Increasing population and climate change are putting water sources under pressure. With climate change, some parts of New Zealand will get 20 per cent less rain, Water New Zealand technical manager Noel Roberts says.

Read more

Punakaiki water supply 'sabotage' slammed by mayor

Buller's mayor has slammed a couple who redirected Punakaiki's water supply to their own power generator, saying it was a "selfish act". Read more

Cause of pre-Christmas water contamination in Christchurch's east still unknown

A contaminated pump station that forced thousands of Christchurch residents to boil their water days before Christmas had been deemed secure in 2018. Read more

Bushfire ash contamination prompts water warning

Water New Zealand's Noel Roberts is encouraging people with rainwater tanks to install first-flush devices following suggestions some may have been infiltrated by ash from Australia’s bushfires.  Read more

Primary Sector CoVE - Registration of Interest process is now open

In 2018 the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, announced a review of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) System. This was followed by a proposal for system reform in February 2019, and consultation on the proposed changes as part of the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) programme. One of the fundamental changes in the new VET system is the introduction of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs).

The first two pilot CoVEs will be a Primary Sector CoVE and a Construction CoVE. It is intended that each of these CoVEs will be made up of a consortium of interested parties, funded under a funding agreement with government for a specific period (up to five years). It is intended that CoVEs are an enduring part of the vocational education system.

During November 2019, we held six CoVE workshops and two CoVE webinars. The feedback from these sessions has been summarised and is published on TEC’s website at https://www.tec.govt.nz/rove/coves/. What we learned at the workshops and webinars has informed the CoVE funding application process.

Registrations of Interest are now open for the Primary Sector CoVE.

The following information is available on TEC’s website at: https://www.tec.govt.nz/rove/coves.

Please note: You may find that the guidance and form above cannot be downloaded to your smartphone through Internet Explorer. This is an issue we are currently working on. If this is the case, please download these documents using a PC, laptop, tablet (or similar) through Chrome.

For the Construction CoVE, Registrations of Interest are expected to open on Tuesday, 21 January 2020:

  • Timeline for the Construction CoVE selection process
  • Further details will be provided on or before 21 January 2020.

If you have questions relating to the RoI or the CoVE evaluation and selection process, please email your questions to CoVEs@tec.govt.nz. All questions and answers will be published on TEC’s website to ensure that applicants have access to answers at the same time. This can be accessed via the Primary Sector Q&A page.

We appreciate all feedback and contributions. If you have any questions or additional thoughts, please email us at CoVEs@tec.govt.nz.

Ngā mihi nui,

Deirdre Marshall

CoVEs Project Workstream Lead

Water filter developer fails to back up its claims - NZ Commerce Commission Media Release

Media Release 

Issued 19 December 2019
Release No. 71
Water filter developer fails to back up its claims
Kiwipure Limited has been found guilty of making unsubstantiated claims about the benefits and effectiveness of its magnetic water filtration system, in what was the first defended case in New Zealand against a trader accused of making unsubstantiated representations.

Kiwipure pleaded not guilty to seven charges under the Fair Trading Act 1986 relating to marketing claims on its website.  Read full Media Release

"Well overdue" bill gets first reading in Parliament

Taumata Arowai legislation in the House for its first reading last night. The bills sets up the regulator to establish consistent national drinking water standards. Go here to see the Hansard report

Water works – legislation in the House

Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Bill had its first reading in Parliament last night and is now on its way to the Health Committee. Go here to see a summary of the key reforms. 

Pathogens and freshwater study

While many of us head to our favourite swimming spots in rivers around the country, a study is underway to better understand how best to accurately reflect the risk between pathogens in freshwater and people getting sick.

The study is being funded by the Ministry of the Environment working alongside ESR, NIWA, Massey University and regional councils.

See the video presentation.

2019 Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices

Water New Zealand have registered as a stake holder for the Worksafe 2019 Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Indices work and will engage with members as the opportunity arise. For more information contact noel.roberts@waternz.org.nz. See below for the latest update. 


The 11th Edition of the Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices Special Guide is published on the WorkSafe website here.

Table 1 below shows the WES that have been adopted in December 2019, and those for which we intend changing the WES in three years’ time.

Table 1 Changes to 11th Edition of WES & BEI Book

1,3-Butadiene Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.05 ppm
1,2-Dibromoethane Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.0003 ppm
2-Methoxyethanol Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.1 ppm
2-Methoxyethyl acetate Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.1 ppm
4,4-Methylene dianiline Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.002 ppm
Acetaldehyde Postpone change and re-review the proposal in regards to having only a Ceiling limit.
Acrylamide Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.0015 mg/m3
Acrylonitrile Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.05 ppm
Antimony trioxide Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.1 mg/m3
Carbon disulphide Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 1 ppm
Dichlorvos Retain the current 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.1 ppm inhalable fraction and vapour and add a sen notation
Dimethyl sulphate Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.01 ppm
Epichlorohydrin Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.05 ppm and WES-STEL of 0.15ppm
Ethyl chloride Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 100 ppm and remove skin notation
Ethylene oxide Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.1 ppm and adopt a Skin and a Sen notation
Furfural Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.2 ppm
Glutaraldehyde Accept proposed WES-Ceiling of 0.05 ppm and remove the WES-STEL
Glycidol Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 2 ppm and adopt a skin notation
Hydrazine Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.0002 ppm
Hydrogen sulphide Interim WES-TWA of 5 ppm and STEL of 10 ppm over three years (from date of publication of 2019 WES book) with intention to go to WES-TWA of 1 ppm and STEL of 5 ppm after 3 years
Lead (Biological Exposure Index) A BEI of 20 g/dL (0.97 mol/L) of whole blood; a suspension (removal) level of 30 g/dL (1.45 mol/L) of whole blood for females not of reproductive capacity, and males; a suspension (removal) level of 10 g/dL (0.48 mol/L) of whole blood for females of reproductive capacity, and those pregnant and/or breastfeeding.
Malathion Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 1 mg/m3 inhalable fraction and vapour
Maleic anhydride Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.0025 ppm inhalable fraction and vapour
Naphthalene Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.5 ppm and WES-STEL of 2 ppmand adopt a Skin notation
n-Butyl acrylate Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 2 ppm and WES-STEL of 4 ppm
n-Butyl glycidyl ether Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.25 ppm and adopt a skin notation
Nitrogen dioxide Interim WES-TWA of 1 ppm over three years (from date of publication of 2019 WES book) with intention to go to WES-TWA of 0.2 ppm after three years
p-Dichlorobenzene Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 2 ppm and WES-STEL of 10ppm and adopt a Skin notation
Phenyl glycidyl ether Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.1 ppm and adopt a dsen notation
Phthalic anhydride Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.002 ppm inhalable fraction and vapour and adopt a skin notation
Propylene dichloride Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 5 ppm and remove the WES-STEL
Pyridine Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 1 ppm and adopt a skin notation
Silica (crystalline, all forms) Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA 0.05 mg/m3. Review the WES within the next three years.
Styrene (Biological Exposure Index) Accept proposed BEI of 400 mg mandelic acid plus phenylglyoxylic acid in urine per gram of creatinine, and 40 µg styrene/L urine
Sulphur dioxide Accept proposed WES-STEL of 0.25 ppm and remove the WES-TWA
Thiram Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.2 mg/m3 inhalable fraction and vapour
Vinyl cyclohexene dioxide Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.1 ppm
Wood dust Accept proposed 8-hour WES-TWA of 0.5 mg/m3 for hard wood dust. Retain the current WES-TWA of 2 mg/m3 for soft wood dust with an intention to lower it to 1 mg/m3 in three years.

The Corridor

View NZ Utilities Advisory Group newsletter The Corridor here.  

Infrastructure Funding and Finance Bill

Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford has introduced into the House legislation to enable a new infrastructure funding and financing tool. The first reading was December 17.

The Minister’s media release is available here.

The legislation is expected to be referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee which will then call for submissions.

If anyone thinks there are elements of the Bill which warrant Water New Zealand making a submission please contact John Pfahlert at ceo@waternz.org.nz

Water New Zealand Pipe Renewals Seminars

These workshops will present the newly developed material to water managers, asset managers, consultants and any others wishing to better inform decisions around the management of underground piped infrastructure.

Click below to register for the workshop near you. Keep scrolling to find out more about these seminars. 

Hamilton 19 February 2020
Palmerston North 26 February 2020
Wellington 27 February 2020
Christchurch 4 March 2020
Queenstown 5 March 2020

Members - $75 +GST
Non-members - $95 +GST

Presenting will be:

Steven Apeldoorn, Director ProjectMax - New Zealand Gravity Pipe Inspection Manual, Edition 4

The manual provides a consistent and reliable basis for undertaking inspections and condition assessments of gravity pipelines for asset management and renewal planning. The latest edition has been completely revised to improve the ability of the industry to scope required works, undertake inspections of a consistent high-quality standard and interpret outcomes in relation to best asset management practices. For the first-time a process for the inspection of manholes, laterals and acceptance of new and lined pipes is also included.

Greg Preston, Manager Quake Centre - The National Pipe Data Portal

The Quake Centre's Building Innovation Partnership has developed a proof-of concept for a National Pipe Data Portal, an exciting step to realising a federated data set of pipelines for all of New Zealand. The proof of concept brings stormwater pipelines into a single location for three local authorities; Christchurch City Council, Tauranga District Council and Auckland Council. Participants will gain an appreciation of data quality assessment and location standards required to join the portal and unleash the power of a national dataset.

Philip McFarlane, Market Leader Water and Wastewater, WSP - Code of Practice for 3 Waters Asset Data

Collecting, maintaining and using data on assets which deliver 3 water services is vital to ensuring that Levels of Service are delivered. The New Zealand Asset Metadata Standards (NZAMS) were developed to standardise data collection and recording, however have not been widely implemented. The code has developed the NZAMS into a user-friendly document for the collection of stormwater conveyance as-constructed data, that is also broadly applicable for water and wastewater assets.

Wasterwater Renewals Framework - Gravity Pipelines

The Renewals Framework sets out processes to help asset managers undertake renewals planning of gravity wastewater pipelines and to communicate renewal decision makers. The output from this process is a works programme with forecasts of budgets, level of service predictions, risk and resilience profiles and monitoring and condition assessment programmes. The overarching objective is to imporve pipeline renewals planning in New Zealand through evidence-based decision-making.

David Heiler, Technical Director, Water Infrastructure, BECA - Guideline for Assessing Technical Resilience of Three Waters Networks

The guideline has been prepared to support local authorities and the private sector assess and develop strategies to improve network resilience, inform pre-event planning and post-event emergency support and recovery. The guideline aims to standardise the assessment of technical resilience across New Zealand and encourage collaboration, whole maintaining the ability for users to tailor the assessment approach to fit the specific needs of their community.

Noel Roberts, Technical Manager, Water New Zealand - Pressure Sewer National Guidelines

The demands on New Zealand wastewater networks systems are increasingly coming under pressure, in some situations the traditional gravity sewer network is no longer the best solution. It is recognised that alternative technologies, such as pressure sewers can offer benefits over traditional gravity sewers in particular circumstances. However, as a relatively new technology, information for designers and infrastructure owners has been limited. This document aims to assist infrastructure owners to understand the key issues to ensure that where pressure sewer is adopted, it is designed and implemented correctly.

Kiwi Clarifier Issue 38 - December 2019

View the Water Industry Operations Group Kiwi Clarifier Issue 39 - December 2019 here. 

National Emergency Management Agency Establishment

National Emergency Management Agency Establishment - update from Brook Barrington, Cheif Executive, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet 

As of 1 December 2019, the first step in the establishment of the new National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for New Zealand has been completed.

NEMA is now a legal entity and the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has been transitioned into the new organisation. MCDEM ceased to exist on the date NEMA was established, with all references to MCDEM considered to be replaced with a reference to NEMA.

A new NEMA was recommended following a review into New Zealand’s civil defence system. Government saw the need to improve our national emergency management capability and to put people and communities at the centre of any response. The new agency will work across central government and with local government, emergency services, communities, iwi, lifeline utilities and business to create an emergency management system that is ready and able to provide an effective and integrated response to, and recovery from, emergencies.

NEMA has been established as an autonomous Departmental Agency with its own Chief Executive, hosted by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The State Services Commission has advised that in the first instance a Chief Executive will be appointed for an interim period, with a primary focus on leading the transition from MCDEM into NEMA, and achieving the strategic shift sought by the government.

The Deputy State Services Commissioner has appointed Carolyn Schwalger as the interim Chief Executive. Carolyn has been the Programme Director for the NEMA transition since July 2019. Before this role, Carolyn held several senior positions across New Zealand’s public sector, including the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative at New Zealand’s Permanent Mission to the UN and the Principal Capability Adviser and Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She holds a BA and BCom from the University of Auckland and recently completed Oxford University’s Strategic Leadership Programme.

Sarah Stuart-Black (Norm) will continue in the statutory role as the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management, bringing her wealth of operational excellence, skills and relationships to NEMA in that role. Under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (CDEM Act), the Chief Executive of NEMA and the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management cannot be the same person. Therefore, Norm will become the NEMA Deputy Chief Executive.

The establishment of NEMA is an exciting milestone in moving towards achieving the Government’s objectives, and is a once in a generation opportunity to boost the performance and capability of the emergency management system across all hazards and all risks for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

During 2020, NEMA will engage with your organisation as a key stakeholder to seek your views as the Agency begins to create its organisational strategy and design. This is the real change phase, where the rubber starts to hit the road. NEMA will then progress into a more formal consultation phase where it will again seek your engagement to shape the wider system.

You will see the interim logo for NEMA in use. The logo sets the scene for the changes to come. Branding for the Agency and any flow-on effect for the emergency management system will form part of the upcoming designing for the future phase.

Your normal contact points remain and current contact details will remain functional for a time. New firstname.lastname@nema.govt.nz email addresses have been established, and we encourage you to use them. The website and all communications now refer to the National Emergency Management Agency or NEMA.

Your commitment to the emergency management system is important to the success of NEMA. I trust that you will support the new organisation and its people, and would be grateful if you could cascade the information through your normal internal channels.

The Water Services Regulator Bill - Taumata Arowai a milestone for drinking water safety

The Water Services Regulator Bill – Taumata Arowai , introduced to Parliament today, is a milestone for drinking water safety in New Zealand and will help improve environmental outcomes for urban waterways, rivers and lakes.


“This is a breakthrough for New Zealanders in terms of providing safe drinking water throughout the country and improving on the performance of our wastewater and stormwater networks that manage, treat and discharge water back into the environment,” Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said.

“This Bill implements our decision to create a new regulatory body to oversee, administer and enforce a new drinking water regulatory system. It establishes the Water Services Regulator – Taumata Arowai – as a new Crown agent and is part of a broader package of reforms. Read more

Infrastructure spending welcome but relies on a step change in execution - Infrastructure NZ

"We’re delighted with today’s announcement of $12 billion in new capital investment by the Government," says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Paul Blair.

"The next critical step is to give the industry certainty, execute effectively, and procure in partnership with iwi, councils, and the private sector in alignment with the Construction Sector Accord principles.

"It is encouraging to see the Government using its recent surplus to invest in productive infrastructure to deliver environmental, social, cultural, and economic outcomes.

"Transport, health and regional investment, as well as earlier announced spending on schools, comprise the majority of the allocations. Read more

Too pricey for small water suppliers

News out of Wellington of the formation of a dedicated water watchdog that will set standards and have monitoring and enforcement powers following the Havelock North water contamination is welcomed by local government.

However, as with any time a pendulum swings back, we need to be cautious of the pace and the degree of reaction to an event that should absolutely never have happened.

It is a sad reality that there is an inherent risk to any untreated water supply, no matter how clean and green we like to think New Zealand is, and it is long overdue that central government made efforts to ensure that the almost-voluntary drinking water standards we have are enforced. Read more

Chemicals in Maryland tap water causes concern

Tap water at the majority of Maryland utilities, or public water systems, had levels of contaminants that exceeded health guidelines established by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit focused on environmental health issues.

According to EWG’s 2019 update, predominant chemicals included nitrates, arsenic, trihalomethanes — which includes chloroform — among other contaminants.

The EWG published drinking water contamination data for nearly 50,00 community water systems nationwide, including 468 utilities located in Maryland. Read more

Auckland Council files charges over alleged Formosa Golf Club sewage dumping

Auckland Council has filed 17 charges against three people allegedly involved with dumping sewage at the Formosa Golf Club in east Auckland.

In June, the club was banned by the council from discharging waste from its facilities after allegedly pumping sewage into a nearby stream.
The charges carry a maximum penalty on conviction of two year's imprisonment for an individual or a $300,000 fine, or a $600,000 fine for a company, Steve Pearce, Auckland Council's regulatory compliance manager, said on Monday.

"We take a graduated approach to enforcement, however where there are serious effects from non-compliance and the council's requests are ignored we will take offenders to court. Read more

Government backs Ōhakea water scheme for PFAS-contaminated properties

The Government will $10.8 million towards a scheme to bring clean water to Manawatū properties affected by Ōhakea air force base's firefighting foam contamination.

The water and soil around the base is contaminated with the chemical PFAS, which is found in a variety of products and firefighting foams previously used there.

The chemical seeped into the groundwater and nearby waterways, where it is expected to continue posing a risk for as long as 125 years, over an area as big as 1600 hectares.

For the past two years, Manawatū residents within the affected area have relied on temporary drinking water supplies provided by the Defence Force.  Read more

Driveway car washing banned as Napier City Council passes stormwater bylaw

Napier City Council has adopted a new stormwater bylaw it hopes will go a long way towards getting rid of the pollution that has dogged crown-jewel recreation and conservation area the Ahuriri Estuary and Pandora Pond.

The bylaw, which struck a bit of a speed-bump with conditions which effectively outlaw a Kiwi tradition of driveway-runoff car washes, was adopted at Thursday's council meeting and will take effect on February 1.

But the council won't be in any hurry to take the stick to those who haven't got things in order on time, planning an educational approach first, setting target-focused environment management plans with industry and taking action against the non-compliant only when it becomes clear there's no other option.Read more

Ongoing victims of Havelock North’s water crisis

“It was bullshit. The whole thing was bullshit. And even to this day now it’s still bullshit.”

Those are the words of one of the Havelock North residents struck down by gastroenteritis in the 2016 campylobacter outbreak in the town as a result of contaminated drinking water.

It was sheep shit, not bull, that is thought to have been most likely responsible for the contamination, which led to four people dying, 45 being hospitalised and an estimated 5,500 – a third of the town’s population – falling ill.

But the bullshit comment reflects the ongoing sense of injustice I encountered when I interviewed more than 40 people who lived through the incident and became ill, cared for someone who became ill or bore witness to events. Read more

Boil-water notice to remain until next week

Roxburgh and Lake Roxburgh Village were put on boil-water notices on Wednesday, while Alexandra was added to the list on Thursday, following high water levels on the Clutha River.

Increased levels meant water supplies were at risk of containing harmful micro-organisms.

People in affected areas should bring tap water to a full rolling boil for one minute and then let it cool before using it.

A Central Otago District Council spokeswoman has also encouraged people to conserve water until the situation improved. Read more

Work on water pipes could lead to discoloured water

The Palmerston North City Council is doing some maintenance on the water supply network on Wednesday night that could make the water run cloudy or off-colour on Thursday morning.

The work to control water pressure involves temporarily disconnecting the supply from the Turitea Dam, and supplying all of the city from the water bores.

Water operations manager Mike Monaghan said the work would take place after peak demand, around 9.30pm, and should be finished by 6am. Read more

Clyde reticulation works and pump station contract awarded

Seipp Construction Ltd, a Christchurch-based engineering company that specialises in pipeline, civil, river and marine projects, has been awarded the contract for the physical works to construct the Clyde wastewater reticulation system and pump station.

Clyde’s new reticulated wastewater system will be built in stages over future years as part of the Central Otago District Council’s Long-Term Plan. The system will replace the town's existing wastewater system which relies on septic tanks and disposal fields. It will meet environmental and resource consent requirements, significantly improving the quality of Clyde's urban discharges. Read more

Save our Pipes from Wipes – well done Tauranga City Council!

Tauranga City Council has won the Communicating for Change Award at the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards for its highly successful Save our Pipes from Wipes campaign launched a year ago.

The award was presented at the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards function in Auckland last week.

Water treatment plant failure puts Woodville under hosing ban

A failure at Woodville's water plant means residents are being asked to urgently conserve water.

The town, between Palmerston North and Dannevirke, is also under a total hosing ban as a result.

Tararua District Council chief executive Blair King said the treatment plant was not keeping up with demand from users.

Treated water would be tanked in from Dannevirke to the Woodville reservoir to reduce the impact, while extra water users would have their supply manually cut back, he said.

EarthTech Challenge

The EarthTech Challenge invites purpose-driven youth aged between 13-29 with a passion for solving our most pressing environmental and social issues, through the use of science, technology, communication and design. It includes a six-week online course (from the 16th December 2019 to 24th January 2020), delivered via a cloud-based platform that provides teams with seamless onboarding, access to expert educational material and mentorship. The competition aims to achieve and create exponential impact for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. The SDG’s are a historic and universal call to action to end poverty, solve the climate crisis, protect biodiversity and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Individuals and/or teams can register in one of the following categories: Poverty & Inequality, Food, Water & Health Care, Climate & Energy, Sustainable Futures and Environment & Biodiversity. Entries should demonstrate how the concept relates and is aligned to one or more of the SDGs and how technology, creativity, and innovation can help to achieve the Global Goals.

Find out more here.  

Climate change and carbon SIG

The Zero Carbon Act which passed into legislation last month will commit New Zealand to zero carbon by 2050 or sooner. It has set a legally binding pathway to this target.

The law will set up an independent climate change commission, which will advise governments on how to meet the zero net carbon emissions by 2050 and a reduction of between 24 and 47 per cent of methane emissions by 2050.

These targets are intended to keep global warming to within 1.5C by 2050. The legislation requires the government to set a number of emissions budgets as stepping stones to the zero carbon target, and for government to introduce policies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

How does this affect the water industry?

There will be a requirement to adapt to climate change and reduce embedded and operational carbon, which will be set against a backdrop of higher treatment requirements (which can lead to higher carbon inputs) for water supply and wastewater discharges.

These challenges are being faced by water utilities all around the world, many of whom have more opportunity to invest in research in new technologies and approaches to construction to minimise carbon. These utilities are also facing many similar issues to adapt to issues such as changing rainfall patterns, sea level rise and potential increased demand for potable water due to climate related migration. There is already guidance available that can be picked up and used in New Zealand. Water New Zealand would like to understand if there is interest from around the water industry to set up a Climate Change and Carbon Special Interest Group. The purpose of the Group might be to:

  • Provide access to information that is already available that can be applied to our industry to help mitigate and adapt to climate change
  • Enhance water industry collaboration on climate related issues through sharing relevant knowledge and best practice processes
  • To help us prepare, as an industry, to respond to the impacts of climate related environmental and policy change
  • Build a national community of water industry professionals that are equipped with the skills and understanding to support NZ towards a carbon resilient future

If you would like to discuss this idea further, please contact Jon Reed of Beca (09 300 9000). If you think that the SIG should go ahead, then please email Katrina Guy (Katrina.guy@waternz.org.nz).

Any SIG would need to be led by the industry (rather than Water New Zealand); if there is support from this call then we will probably set up a couple of regional meetings to discuss focus areas and identify people to support this initiative.

New study shows traces of chemicals, sunscreen in Marlborough drinking water

Sunscreen, sweetener and chemicals have trickled from Marlborough's sewerage system into its drinking water and irrigation supplies.  Read more

Ohope wastewater inspections need resident action

Essential maintenance work on the Ōhope wastewater system during the next two weeks will require residents to take action to ensure any pressurisation of sewer lines does not result in water being expelled from their toilet bowls.

Residents in the areas concerned will have received letters advising them of the project, which involves CCTV inspections of the sewers. Results from the inspections will provide valuable information about the wastewater network, and any maintenance that is required in ensure they are in the best possible condition.

As part of that process jet cleaning will be undertaken and the change in air pressure may cause the water in toilet bowls to bubble, or in rare situations, blow water from the bowl.  Read more

Major water main burst hits Auckland central pressure, causes traffic disruption

The water main, which services much of western central Auckland between the CBD and Western Springs, ruptured in Grey Lynn's Arch Hill Scenic Reserve early this morning.

Watercare is warning residents they may experience reduced water pressure over the next 24 hours or so until it's repaired.

The repairs would require them to access water valves along Tay Street, Great North Road and Ivanhoe Road, meaning some traffic disruption.  Read more

Drilling work for Wellington's emergency water pipeline nears finish

Exploratory drilling to find an alternative route to run a drinking water pipe and keep the capital afloat in a disaster is nearing its end. Read more

Northland engineers impressed with new wastewater treatment plant

Members of the Northland branch of Engineering NZ gathered last month to tour the site of the new Kerikeri wastewater treatment plant. Twenty engineers viewed the main structures of the plant and heard about the technological advances it will utilise. Mike Hayes, Broadspectrum’s Project Manager for construction of the new plant, and Simon Ruddenklau, Broadspectrum’s Site Engineer, led the tour. Read more

Dangers of private water supplies highlighted by toddler's near death experience

Two year old Albertine Morken has a smile back on her face and her appetite has come back.

A relief for father Daniel and mother Zoe after a severe gastro infection.

“We’ve just seen her progressively get better, more energy, more colour in her face.” Mr Morken told 1 NEWS.

But three weeks ago she wasn’t so rosy, after contracting Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a hard to detect gastro infection caused by a strain of E.coli.

Hospital staff prepared Mr Morken for the worst.

“They said we won’t tell your wife this but you have to realise there is a chance she could die here.”

She was rushed from Hawke's Bay to Auckland's Starship hospital as the infection attacked her kidneys and red blood cells. Read more - Includes comments by Jim Graham - Water New Zealand

Is your beach safe for swimming this summer?

Summer is officially here and its swimming season.

Before you head down to the water this summer, check conditions on safeswim.org.nz

The Safeswim programme, a collaboration between Auckland Council, Watercare, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region and Auckland Regional Public Health Service, currently provides real-time information about water quality, beach conditions and hazards for 111 beaches across Auckland. Read more

Two new water reservoirs to be built for New Plymouth

New Plymouth is to get two new water reservoirs as part of the district council's strategy to increase the resilience of the region's water supply.

Building work starts this week and will add 9000 cubic metres of water storage to the district's supply from 2022 - the equivalent of 36,000 bathtubs.

The project is expected to cost $16-18 million, subject to earthwork and weather variables.

The reservoirs will be built on sites off Henwood and Mountain roads, next to existing reservoirs, and they will take about two years to complete. Read more

Dargaville closer to removal of 3000 tonnes of human waste

Urgent removal of 3000 tonnes of treated human waste from Dargaville wastewater treatment plant's oxidation pond moved a step closer on Wednesday with Kaipara District Council approving a $1.4 million sludge removal operation - strongly opposed by one vocal councillor.

Tangowahine-based Kaipara District Councillor Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock questioned the urgency of the sludge removal plan, told the meeting community - including tangata whenua - should have been consulted more and added that the option chosen for sludge removal was not a positive choice, given the oxidation pond's location.

The Love Kaipara waste minimisation programme manager said other options should instead be investigated. Read more

National Science Challenge - Distributed Infrastructure

This National Science Challenge is looking at the impacts weather, coastal erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis have on infrastructure and what information can be developed to assist utilities in being prepared for these types of events.

Like most National Science challenges the project is only half way through it’s life cycle and moving from a research phase to delivering useful outcomes to utilities.

wiki page has been created showing the work completed and in progress to date.

ESR Centre for Integrated Biowaste Research November Newsletter

Inside this issue you will find an update on the application of native vegetation for the treatment of wastewater and an update on the Lake Waikare Vision Mataurange project. Furthermore, you can read more about the establishment of Chinese & New Zealand collaborations and Rob Tinhold, Resource Recovery Manager of Watercare Service Ltd., gave some insight into biosolids reuse as an unexplored industry in New Zealand.

Read more here. 

Indigenous biodiversity draft national policy statement released

The Government released its draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity last week. The draft NPSIB applies to all indigenous biodiversity including water bodies and freshwater systems.

It sets a bottom line for the maintenance of indigenous biodiversity. It requires territorial authorities to identify areas of significant indigenous vegetation and/or habitats and to classify those areas as significant natural areas (SNAs) to be managed through the RMA. The submission period closes on 14 March 2020 with the draft NPSIB intended to take effect from mid-2020.

Our preliminary view is that the Association will not be making a submission on behalf of members.

The Practical Realities of SUDS

SuDS require a special way of thinking. They’re arguably more sophisticated than conventional drainage. SuDS ask engineers to learn to use a new range of design, installation and maintenance skills. A successful SuDS is designed to mimic and work with the natural behaviour of water on a site. They slow the flow and replicate processes that existed before development.

A SuDS system could comprise a series of small SuDS installed plot by plot, such as rainwater harvesting and green roofs. They could be applied across a site in the form of tree pits, planters or porous paving — depending on the outcome of the hydraulic model and other site considerations. And, of course, the medium- and larger-scale SuDS structures, including swales, dry ponds and wetlands, may be appropriate in certain circumstances.

The choice of which SuDS to use, their number, combination and where to site them, all form part of the new challenge for drainage engineers. At the design stage, a hydraulic model can demonstrate the effects that different SuDS might have on a given site, including at times of peak flow. Additional to understanding the hydraulics, a SuDS expert will want to know about the local authority mindset and will be keeping an eye to the future maintenance of the SuDS features. It’s definitely a new way of working and a different type of challenge for drainage engineers.

But there’s an upside for engineers who get good at SuDS. They’ll be able to demonstrate that their SuDS expertise adds value to a development project. SuDS save space and improve amenity, at the same time as providing drainage on a site. That’s a valuable combination of potential wins for a developer. And the versatility of SuDS make them well suited to retrofit and brownfield projects, as well as to greenfield developments.

With new Design and Construction Guidance coming from Water UK in 2020 and Wales having already set up a network of SuDS Approving Bodies, the momentum in support of SuDS is building. Questions remain about where it’s best for adoption and maintenance responsibility for SuDS to reside, but the multiple benefits that SuDS offer suggest that these queries will be resolved. The engineers that get out in front and develop their mindset to work effectively with SuDS will surely benefit from the competitive edge.

Find out more here.  

Millions needed for works

Millions of dollars of South Wairarapa’s drinking water assets will be up to par after the district council rubber-stamped releasing funds for urgent work.

South Wairarapa District Council has committed $500,000 of its reserves to ensure urgent work is completed to meet Wellington Water standards.

The total cost of all improvements could be anywhere from $2.3 million to $5.6m.

The council signed up with the six-council specialist company in October, and quickly found that further infrastructure investment was needed.  Read More

'Significantly non-compliant' winery to have wastewater practices investigated

A Marlborough winery's wastewater practices are to go under the microscope after the region's compliance team found it "significantly non-compliant".

The Marlborough District Council carried out its annual wastewater inspection during harvest 2019, testing 23 of the region's 38 rural wineries that discharge wastewater - which often consists of water used for cleaning floors and winery equipment.

Sixteen wineries, or 44 per cent, were fully compliant, while 11 were "non-compliant" and eight "technically non-compliant".  Read more

Council puts in place water restrictions for Whangamata

If you're in Whangamata, we're asking you to please conserve water and cooperate with water restrictions following a surge in water usage over the weekend.

Please keep all non-essential hose use (including sprinklers and irrigation systems) to alternate days. This is determined by the street number of the address you are at. Even-numbered addresses can water gardens on even days of the month (eg today - 26 November) and odd-numbered addresses on odd days of the month.

These restrictions will be in place until the levels have returned to normal, hopefully over the next few days.  Read more

Water restrictions bite in Kaikohe

Parts of Northland have this year been the driest in the better part of a century, leading to warnings residents should consider installing rain water tanks.

The first six months of 2019 were the driest they have been in more than 80 years in both Kerikeri and Whangārei, impacting Kaikohe's Monument Hill aquifer, said Andy Finch, council general manager – infrastructure & asset management.

The Far North District Council has stepped up its water restrictions in Kaikohe and Ngawha, just weeks after it put a sprinkler ban on the area.  Read more

Wastewater pipeline concerns trigger public meeting

Oceania Dairy Ltd has lodged six resource consents with Environment Canterbury to build a 7.5km pipeline to discharge up to 10,000cu m of treated wastewater a day into the ocean. The company says this would future-proof its current land-based wastewater disposal.

At the Waimate Events Centre on Thursday, representatives from the project’s management consultants Babbage Consulting and the company will answer questions about the project and its potential environment impact assessment.  Read more

Napier Council releases proposed stormwater bylaw update

Napier City Council heard from 9 of the 37 submitters to the proposed bylaw at its meeting earlier this week. The final draft proposed bylaw is expected to be considered for adoption by Council at a meeting next month. Public and Councillor feedback, and recommendations from consultants who helped with the process will be considered for incorporation into the final document.

The proposed Stormwater Bylaw aims to better protect the city’s urban waterways, stormwater reticulation, Te Whanganui-a-OrotÅ« (Ahuriri estuary) and the general coastal environment.  Read more

LGNZ Rural and Provincial Sector Speech - Hon Nanaia Mahuta

Introduction

  • Thank you for the invitation to speak to you today.
  • This is the first opportunity I’ve had to speak to an LGNZ meeting since the local elections, and I’m delighted to see the fresh faces of newly elected mayors.
  • To returning mayors here today, as well as chief executives, thank you for the commitment and dedication you’ve shown towards your communities throughout the year.
  • As you’ll be aware, I have a busy programme of work in the local government space, and I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank you and your councils for your input into the various workstreams.
  • That input, and our ongoing conversation, are essential and invaluable as we seek to ensure the responsiveness of local government to the wellbeing of communities now and into the future.
  • Today I’d like to take stock of where we’re at and where we’re going with some of my key priorities in the local government portfolio. I’ll also touch on work underway in my Associate Environment portfolio.
  • Later today, you’ll also hear from my ministerial colleagues the Hon David Parker, Hon Damien O’Conner, and Hon Eugenie Sage about their priorities and connections to local government and the rural and provincial sectors.
  • I trust this will provide an insightful overview of the range of cross-government initiatives relevant to local government.
  • But first, let me update you on a programme of key importance to local and central government – the Three Waters Review.  Read more

Keeping our stormwater free of rubbish

Every year more than 10 tonnes of rubbish finds its way into Wellington harbour, the region’s waterways and our beaches. And once it’s there it takes an enormous effort at considerable cost to clean it all up.

That’s why Hutt City Council is currently running a series of trials where nets and traps are placed in the city’s stormwater drains to collect the cigarette butts, drink bottles, and chippie packets that people discard. Read more

Significant water savings as Waimate upgrades ageing infrastructure

Waimate is making a significant saving on water which has been attributed to an upgrade of ageing infrastructure.

An urban water report presented to the Waimate District Council at Tuesday's district infrastructure meeting received a vote of thanks as the last calculation for the 2018/19 year showed the urban water loss monitoring calculation showed a large reduction in water loss.

In his report to council, water manager Paul Roberts said the percentage loss had dropped from 54.8 per cent in the 2017/18 year to 19.1 per cent for the year to October 2019. Read more

Water reform update

Recently the Government unveiled its proposed reforms to the regulation of drinking water. Water New Zealand has been keeping a close watch on the developments and we’ve produced a short video detailing the proposed changes.

Productivity Commission - Draft report 2 released - Employment, labour markets and income

Today the Commission released their second draft report for our Technological change and future of work inquiry looking at Employment, labour markets and income in New Zealand. 

In their second draft report, Employment, labour markets and income, they’ve looked at what the Government can do to better support those affected by labour-market change. The Commission found countries with policies that promote income security over job security tend to be more open to technology adoption. In today's report they suggest three options for improving income security. The Commission is now seeking feedback on these options. Submissions are invited by 7 February 2020. Read the draft report or a 2-page briefing here. Three further draft reports will be released: Training New Zealand’s workforce, Firms, innovation and labour markets and Educating New Zealand’s future workforce before our final report in March.

Watch out also for their final report on Local government funding and financing in December. 

Brave Blue World

Below is a trailer for a film made by the Brave Blue World Foundation. It will be launched in the USA on 16 December. It tells the story about pioneers and innovators who are addressing global water and sanitation challenges. We will distribute the full film when it comes to hand.

National Climate Change Risk Assessment – Reference Group Appointment

The Ministry for the Environment has recently begun work on New Zealand’s first National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) and have engaged a project team led by AECOM and including Tonkin and Taylor, NIWA and others to undertake this work.

As part of this work, the Ministry for the Environment has set up a Reference Group to help ensure that the NCCRA drives an adaptation-ready outcome for stakeholders. Noel Roberts, Technical Manager for Water New Zealand has been appointed to this reference group. Any input from Water New Zealand members can be directed through Noel. 

Role of the Reference Group:

The Group will be composed of representatives from key stakeholder groups (local government, business, infrastructure and the primary sector), and will provide feedback to the Ministry for the Environment on two key draft project deliverables, provided by the project team:

i.Draft Interim Report - due to MfE on 3 January 2019

ii.Draft Final Assessment Report - due to MfE on 3 April 2020

More information about the National Climate Change Risk Assessment:

The NCCRA will provide a national overview of the risks New Zealand faces from climate change, and will be a key tool in enabling us to respond to the threats and opportunities arising from its physical impacts.

It will be completed by mid-2020.

Input into the NCCRA will be sought from central and local government, climate change experts, affected sectors and iwi Māori representatives to understand the major risks facing New Zealand

The NCCRA will identify key risks to New Zealand from climate change, which will help the Government to prioritise action through a National Adaptation Plan.

Further information on the National Climate Change Risk Assessment is available at www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/assessing-climate-change-risk<http://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/assessing-climate-change-risk.

NZ Association of Scientists Announces New President and Agenda

See below media release from NZ Association of Scientists on the announcement of new President and Agenda

20-Nov-2019

NZ Association of Scientists Announces New President and Agenda

The New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS) new President is Professor Troy Baisden, based at the University of Waikato.

Baisden says, “I’m the first recent NZAS President based outside Wellington or Auckland. By taking on this role, I can help represent the large number of scientists working out of regional centres, including those focused on primary production and environmental issues.”

“A large proportion of public research funds relate to primary production and environment, and the nexus between these issues is a matter of deep public interest. These areas will get some extra focus within NZAS’s main objectives, which are to support scientists, promote and communicate science, including sound science policy.”

“For years, NZAS has raised concerns that a lack of stable positions for scientists immediately after their PhDs undermines the science sector. The problem is most acute in research disciplines including agriculture and the environment where New Zealand careers require unique knowledge that takes years to build.”

“Our focus on supporting early career scientists intersects with our focus on diversity issues in science. There are widespread concerns that Māori and Pasifika are underrepresented, undermining the role of science in addressing equity and Treaty of Waitangi issues.”

NZAS will also continue to consider MBIE’s recent draft Research, Science and Innovation Strategy. Baisden worries that, “it doesn’t signal clear directions, particularly across environmental science and the primary sector. These areas differ from industrial and technological innovation, which dominate science policy internationally.”

“In addition, the draft Strategy’s focus on connections raises concerns that National Science Challenges are not achieving their intended level of connectedness and deserve more transparent review.”

Contact:Prof Troy Baisden (President NZAS) ph: 021 875 160email: president@scientists.org.nzwww.scientists.org.nz

Tackling foreign ownership of water bottling companies is proving a major challenge for the Government.

It's continuing to stall on its election promise of a tax on water bottlers, instead announcing a tinker that may stop some overseas companies setting up water bottling plants.

It's one element to wider reforms aiming to prevent overseas sales that don't benefit New Zealand. 

On Tuesday, Associate Finance Minister David Parker revealed changes that will now "require consideration of the impact on water quality and sustainability of a water bottling enterprise, when assessing an overseas investment in sensitive land".  Read more

City's water source clearer than expected after fire

Dunedin's main water source could be back in action sooner than initially thought, following a massive fire near Middlemarch earlier this month.

The blaze burned across 5000ha of land, including the Deep Stream catchment, which usually provides 80% of the city's water supply.

The catchment was believed to be contaminated with firefighting foam and ash, but testing showed that was unlikely.

The Dunedin City Council revealed it had spent $60,000 on the incident so far.

Council network, catchment and maintenance manager Mike Perkins said samples from the Deep Stream catchment showed fire suppressant chemicals in the water were below detectable limits.  Read more

Updated Pipeline a sign of progress for Infrastructure Commission

Infrastructure New Zealand Media Statement

12 November 2019 

Updated Pipeline a sign of progress for Infrastructure Commission

“Today’s update of the Infrastructure Pipeline is a sign that the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission – Te Waihanga is making good progress and we look forward to more government agencies, councils, and council-controlled organisations contributing to the pipeline over time,” says Paul Blair, CEO of Infrastructure New Zealand.

“The Commission has launched its first update of the Infrastructure Pipeline , a tool which catalogues proposed and underway infrastructure projects across the country.

“The current project pipeline has a combined value of over $20 billion, but is still only a fraction of what it will eventually become.

“Around $130 billion is expected to be spent on infrastructure over the next 10 years, including private infrastructure, which future iterations of the pipeline will gradually capture.

“Particularly pleasing is the introduction of local government projects, continuing momentum towards a single, comprehensive forward works programme for the country.

“Having a clear pipeline of work is essential for construction and engineering firms to understand what projects are on the horizon and where their labour and capital will be needed next.

“If projects are slowing down in one region or sector, it is important for firms to be able to readily identify other opportunities around the country.

“Greater transparency and certainty of work is critical to supporting investment in the skills, technology and systems necessary to improve poor productivity and manage risk across the construction sector.

“Once the country has an identified pipeline in place, we can really look to optimise investment.

“Via this approach, Watercare in Auckland expects to reduce the cost of its infrastructure programme by 20 per cent.

“Even just a 10 per cent saving across the national programme over the next decade would allow some $13 billion of investment to proceed which otherwise would not have.

“That’s sufficient to deliver the Let’s Get Wellington Moving transport plan and clear the country’s backlog of water supply and wastewater needs, delivering great outcomes for everyday kiwis.

“The Infrastructure Pipeline illustrates the importance of the Commission’s powers to collect data from government departments, including local councils and their council-controlled organisations.

“We are pleased to see the Commission continue work on the pipeline and to signal work on their major deliverable: the 30-year Infrastructure Strategy.

“The Commission will provide the strategy report to the Government towards the end of 2021 and update it at least every 5 years.

“The strategy and pipeline will ultimately provide a robust evidence base for both public and private investment decisions over the long term, helping to depoliticise major projects and get the most out of the nation’s capital investment,” says Blair.

ENDS

For further information and comment contact Paul Blair on 021 902 436


Infrastructure New Zealand is New Zealand's
peak infrastructure body.

Infrastructure New Zealand promotes best practice in national infrastructure development through research, advocacy and public and private sector collaboration. Members come from diverse sectors across New Zealand, equity owners, service providers, public sector agencies, and major infrastructure users.

LEARN MORE

Resource Management System: A comprehensive review

The Government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the resource management system with a focus on the RMA.

This is an opportunity to design a system that delivers better outcomes for the environment, people and the economy. To be successful, we need to design a resource management system that responds to our distinct environmental, social and cultural context.

This includes:

  • New Zealand’s physical characteristics and unique biodiversity
  • the Treaty and the relationship between iwi/Māori and the Crown
  • the significant ways we all value and connect with the environment.

The Resource Management Review Panel is leading the review.

Find out more here. 

Water New Zealand will be preparing a submission. If you have any feedback please contact Jim Graham.

Councils face big costs for farms' tiny water supply 'schemes'

OPINION: News out of Wellington of the formation of a dedicated water watchdog that will set standards and have monitoring and enforcement powers following the Havelock North water contamination is welcomed by local government.

However, as with any time a pendulum swings back, we need to be cautious of the pace and the degree of reaction to an event that absolutely should never have happened.

It is a sad reality that there is an inherent risk to any untreated water supply, no matter how clean and green we like to think New Zealand is, and it is long-overdue that central Government made efforts to ensure that the almost-voluntary drinking water standards we have are enforced.  Read more

Healthy Waters team wins big at landscape and engineering awards

Auckland Council's Healthy Waters team in partnership with Fulton Hogan, Boffa Miskell and AECOM picked up four awards the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Awards and one at the Engineering New Zealand ENVI Awards last week for the Te Auaunga stream restoration project. Read more

Precautionary boil water notice issued for Arthur's Pass

A precautionary boil water notice has been issued by the Council as adverse weather conditions have increased the turbidity of this water supply. No E. coli has been detected in the water supply. However, as a result of the increased turbidity the Council cannot guarantee that the water is safe to drink and has issued the notice as a precaution.

E.coli is an organism which can cause health issues. When a boil water notice is in place, the Ministry of Health advises that people should boil or treat all water from taps before drinking, brushing teeth or using it in food preparation. In addition, water used to make ice should also be boiled before freezing. Read more

Pipeline work reaches connection stage

The Central Otago District Council has urged residents to mind their surroundings as its infrastructure overhaul begins to flow into urban areas of Alexandra.

Work had moved to Alexandra's town centre this week as a kilometre-long wastewater pipeline along Tarbert St and Rivers St was being built.

The development is part of a pipeline which will take waste from Clyde's new reticulated wastewater system to the Alexandra Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Central Otago District Council capital projects programme manager Patrick Keenan said about 90% of the wastewater pipeline had been installed with only the sections at each end of the pipeline still to be completed. Read more

Government inaction on foam contamination continues; local officials further frustrated

OPINION: It seems Defence Minister Ron Mark should have been looking closer to home when throwing around accusations of incompetence.

As revealed by Stuff, early last year Mark accused Manawatū District Council officials of inaction over chemical contamination of the water supply to residents living around Ōhakea air force base because of firefighting foam used there.

The district council and Horizons maintain they knew nothing of the PFAS contamination until 2017, while the Defence Force says they were informed two years earlier. Read more

Boil water notice - Doyleston - Precautionary notice for Leeston

A precautionary notice is also issued for Leeston advising residents to begin boiling water.

A boil water notice has been issued by the Council after test results were received showing that E. coli levels were above recommended levels in Doyleston. No similar results have been received for Leeston, however, the townships share a water supply and a precautionary notice is issued for Leeston.

The Doyleston and Leeston water supply services approximately 3000 people. Read more

Dunedin faces summer without largest water supply

The fire took hold near Middlemarch on Saturday, spreading across about 5000 hectares of grassland and into one of the city's main catchment areas.

While the fire has been contained, Dunedin now faces a summer without its largest water supply which has been contaminated.

For residents on the hills of Dunedin, the Deep Stream and Deep Creek catchments are their water lifelines. Read more

Foam firefighting rules exposed

The Deep Creek catchment was yesterday confirmed as unaffected by the massive vegetation fire that burnt across 5000ha of land at Te Papanui Conservation Park on Old Dunstan Rd at the weekend.

However, the Deep Stream catchment, which usually provides 80% of the city's water supply, was contaminated with firefighting foam and ash.

Dunedin City Council 3 Waters group manager Tom Dyer confirmed yesterday the council had no agreements in place with Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) concerning use of the foam.  Read more

Dentists say ‘Zero Carbon’ bipartisan approach needed for water fluoridation

The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill was passed last week with the support of all major political parties.

“We’ve seen the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill languish before Parliament. Wouldn’t it be great to see cross-party support for a really important public health measure,” said NZDA fluoride spokesperson Dr Rob Beaglehole.

Dr Beaglehole says the Bill, which will see decision-making powers for community water fluoridation shift from Councils to DHBs, was introduced under the then-National Government in 2016. Read more

Proposal to change the classification system for hazardous substances in New Zealand

The Environmental Protection Authority is commencing consultation to update the current classification framework for hazardous substances to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 7 (2017).

The GHS is an internationally agreed system developed by the United Nations to classify chemicals and communicate their hazards through labels and safety data sheets. If adopted, it will ensure an internationally-aligned classification system for hazardous substances that facilitates trade, increases efficiency in chemicals management, and enhances the effectiveness of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.

Should the decision to adopt GHS 7 be made, a new EPA Classification Notice will be issued that incorporates the GHS 7 by reference. This Notice would align with the EPA Labelling and Safety Data Sheet Notices, which already require compliance with the GHS. Having the classification system and compliance requirements aligned will reduce complexity for stakeholders.

We see a lot of benefits to adopting GHS, but are also mindful that there are costs and resource implications for others in doing this, and this is one of the areas we are hoping to get stakeholder feedback on. There are also a range of technical proposals we are seeking input on, for example which particular parts of the GHS we should adopt in New Zealand.

More detail is available on website here.

A link to the consultation document can be found here.

You can make a submission using our online form.

Submissions close at 5pm on 9 January 2020.

Draft Submission to the Resource Management Amendment Bill

Please find attached a copy of Water New Zealand's draft submission to the Resource Management Amendment Bill. Please provide feedback to jim.graham@waternz.org.nz by close of business today, Wednesday, 6 November.

We apologise for the quick turn around. We were not intending to make a submission, however a water supplier raised some concerns that we felt appropriate to comment on. 

Fatbergs: 'flushable' wet wipes are creating an environmental catastrophe

At a single Sydney Water site at Malabar, six dry tonnes of wipes are collected every day. 'People might think it's OK just to pour a little bit of oil down their sink or to flush a couple of wipes during the day but when you've got 5 million people living in your city, collectively that causes a major problem,' says Hadfield, who is part of the 'Keep Wipes out of Pipes' action group. The Guardian went along to Malabar to take a look.  See more

Residents call on Far North council to object to water take

The Pukenui-Houhora Residents' Association has called on the Far North District Council to object to 24 applications to collectively take more than six million cubic metres of water a year from the Aupōuri aquifer (More requests for water from Aupōuri aquifer, October 15).

Acting secretary Dr Bill Morris wrote to mayor John Carter and CEO Shaun Clarke, saying it was beyond the means of most domestic bore users to make a submission on even one, let alone 24 separate applications.

He asked that the FNDC lodge a submission on behalf of the Pukenui-Houhora community, objecting to the manner in which and to whom the applications had been notified, and objecting to the total amount of water proposed to be taken. Read more

Boil notice for northeast Ashburton following water contamination

The Ashburton District Council issued a release on Thursday saying a high microbial contamination had been found in water, which supplies areas in northeast Ashburton.

Residents living in properties and lifestyle blocks on the outskirts of Ashburton towards Ashburton airport, who have a private bore connection, were advised to boil their drinking water and water used for hygiene purposes for at least one minute before consuming, the release said. Read more 

Climate change sends beaches to water

The report, Our Marine Environment 2019, highlights the four most pressing issues facing the country’s seas and coasts.

“Adding to the effects of climate change, river sediment, waste, urban development, fishing and shipping are harming, sometimes irreversibly, our native marine plants, animals and the habitats they live in,” the report says.

Secretary for the Environment, Vicky Robertson said New Zealand’s oceans acted like a giant sponge against the effects of climate change. Read more

How much did they listen? Here’s what just happened to the Zero Carbon Bill

Please do not print it out, but let it be known that the Environment Select Committee has published its report on the Zero Carbon Bill. A historic piece of legislation for New Zealand, the bill is modelled after the UK’s 2008 Climate Change Act, which has seen a decrease of more than 44% in the country’s greenhouse gas emissions when compared to 1990 levels.  Read more

WaterAid Corporate Engagement Package Overview

Working in the water sector, we are sure you know that the international community has agreed to work towards achieving the goal to ‘make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere by 2030’, under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) global initiative.

We are pleased to acknowledge that there have been some amazing developments in the last few years, with people getting access to clean water, thousands learning the importance of handwashing or towns/villages being declared open defecation free. However, the sad truth is that, even if we stay on this path, we are still off target to hit this goal by 2030. To throw some facts and figures at you, 785 million people worldwide still do not have clean water close to home and 2 billion people still lack a decent toilet. At current rates of progress, everyone in least developed countries won’t have safely managed water until 2131 – over 100 years behind schedule.

How can you join?

Check off as many goals as possible! The SDGs are the blueprint for a better future. They represent a compelling agenda for a sustainable and prosperous future for both people and planet. They are also a platform for water utilities, governments, regulators and the community to talk about current and future priorities. SDG 6 ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’ is the backbone for the water sector, but there are so many more that can be achieved by our industry!

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere by 2030. Since its inception WaterAid has internationally reached over 27 million people with clean water and 26.5 million people with decent toilets. Water New Zealand partners with WaterAid not only to achieve Goal 6 but also to support Good Health, Education, Gender Equality, Innovation, Reduction of Inequalities and Partnerships, which all make part of the SDGs Agenda for 2030.

WaterAid and Water New Zealand have decided to team up with the aim of encouraging Water New Zealand members to collaborate with WaterAid. Together we strongly believe that the 2030 goals can still be achieved. With the finishing line right around the corner, it’s time to dig deep for that final push! And we have to do it TOGETHER!

We have created a bundled proposal which includes all the ways you can partner with WaterAid. Not only can you become a member of WaterAid and join a network of 36 water utilities and companies, but you can also sponsor WaterAid annual events or partake in the Winnovators program, Walk for Water, the Water Challenge and World Toilet Day. You can also encourage your staff to sign up for WaterAid workplace giving programme, making a donation through payroll. Or run a bill insert campaign asking your customers to support WaterAid.

It can even be something as simple as switching your office toilet paper provider to ‘Who Gives a Crap’, a social enterprise that supports WaterAid by donating a large part of their revenues.

We sincerely hope you will decide to get on board with WaterAid! If interested, please get in touch with Michael McLennan, WaterAid Corporate Partnership Manager, at michael.mclennan@wateraid.org.au or +61 0421 953 896. He will answer any further questions you might have and assist you in creating the best package to suit your needs. Let’s keep working together to finish the job the water sector intended when it conceived WaterAid: make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene a normal part of everyday life for EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE!

Yours truthfully,

John Pfalhert, CEO, Water New Zealand

Rosie Wheen, CEO, WaterAid

New Zealand marine report warns of effect of climate change and other issues on oceans and coasts

Ministry for the Environment has released a report on the state of New Zealand’s marine environment warning of the serious effects of climate change and other issues on the unique life in our oceans and coasts.

Find out more.  

Award-winning system checking health of New Zealand lakes by satellite

Thousands of New Zealand's lakes have proven challenging to monitor – until now.

A system for monitoring lake health based on satellite data, developed by New Zealand software company Seequent, took the top prize at this year's NZ Aerospace Challenge, announced in Christchurch on Friday. 

Read more. 

Manawatū District Council wrestles with 'rag monsters' in Rongotea's sewers

A Manawatū town's struggles with "rag monsters" has the council flushing thousands of dollars more into the sewers to get rid of the problem.

The Manawatū District Council has asked residents to throw wet wipes, tampons and sanitary pads in the bin, rather than flushing them down the toilet, after months of problems with Rongotea's sewers.

Read more. 

Spotlight on Science | Value of Operator Competency

Water Research Australia is pleased to announce the release of the final report and portable executive summary for Project 1111 Value of Operator Competency.

Read more

Broad agreement on freshwater policies for healthy water

See the Press Release from Kevin Hague, Chief Executive Forest & Bird below

Environment, health, recreation, and water infrastructure groups have come together to support four essential policies to save fresh water in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Public Health Association, Forest & Bird, Fish & Game New Zealand, Environmental Defence Society, Recreation Aotearoa, Greenpeace, Water New Zealand, Whitewater NZ, and Choose Clean Water released a joint statement today outlining four fundamental policies needed in the Government’s freshwater reform to put the country on the right path to healthy water and a healthy future.

All nine organisations agree fresh water is in crisis in New Zealand and effective reforms which set science based limits on pollution are necessary.

The joint statement says, “there are many sources of freshwater pollution. We agree all sectors, regions, and communities must play their part in protecting and restoring the health of our waterways.”

The groups emphasise that responsible leadership and effective freshwater policy, with Te Mana o Te Wai as its framework, is needed to put Aotearoa New Zealand on the right path.

The joint statement urges the Government to hold hydro-schemes, forestry, agriculture and stormwater management to account and make sure that future policies are made consistent with the proposed new Government freshwater reforms.

The groups also support the stronger pollution limits in the Government’s proposed freshwater policy, which are recommended by scientists and based on achieving ecosystem health.

Science based pollution limits in the Government’s proposed new freshwater reforms are necessary and achievable.

Their joint statement says, “We especially support the addition of the following new measures for the health of our waterways: dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) with a bottom line of 1mg/L, sediment, and a wetland extent and wetland condition index.”

The proposed measures for freshwater health will allow for much better monitoring for ecological health in waterways, providing better information on the presence of fish, and whether waterways are healthy for swimming.

The joint statement also calls for the Government to take a different approach on setting pollution limits. The current proposed policy would allow high polluters to lock-in their current level of pollution, essentially rewarding those with a high pollution starting point.

They also reject one option in the Government’s proposed freshwater policy to make farm plans regulatory instruments.

“Farm plans are a useful tool to support decision-making for farmers and land managers. However, clear and effective rules must be prioritised as the best way to achieve the Government’s stated goal of measurable improvements within five years,” the joint statement says.

The joint statement from nine organisations shows unity across New Zealand on improving freshwater quality and broad agreement on how to achieve it.

For further comment contact:

Kevin Hague
Chief Executive Forest & Bird
027 291 7628
k.hague@forestandbird.org.nz

National Code of Practice for Utility Operators Access to Transport Corridors Submissions

The New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group (NZUAG) has written to council CEO’s requesting annual submissions of information required under the National Code of Practice for Utility Operators Access to Transport Corridors.

The code provides a nationally consistent approach for managing utility operators access to transport corridors, as required by the Utilities Access Act 2010 and is available at: http://nzuag.org.nz/national-code/

Data submissions are to be sent to info@nzuag.org.na by 31st October.

National Green Infrastructure Certification Program goes International

Since the program launched in 2016, more than 500 U.S. professionals have now received credentials as graduates of the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP). But chronic stormwater flooding is not a problem unique to the U.S. Demand for professionals with the knowhow to manage green infrastructure is on the rise worldwide. In response, NGICP has expanded internationally, complete with a new, more appropriate name: the International Green Infrastructure Certification Program (IGICP). Read more about IGICP's recent expansion into New Zealand.

Opinion: The Government doesn't 'hate' farmers

OPINION: In the past few weeks I've attended meetings about the Government's freshwater proposals and visited farms around the country.

 I understand change of any kind can be scary, but people should be a little cynical about some of the misrepresentation taking place.

Despite what some might say, the Government doesn't "hate" farmers and we're not interested in destroying rural communities. That kind of "them v us'' talk isn't helping farming families. Read More

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth: Economists needed in freshwater plans

The Government has released the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and the new National Environmental Standards.

The timeframe for consultation is short, but the goal is basically the same for everybody: fresh water that meets the needs of aquatic organisms and recreational users.

What has yet to be established is how much people are prepared to pay, personally, or through the Government and how much they are prepared to forego. Read More

Unintended consequence: Farmers who have invested in long term fresh water remediation feel thrown under the bus

Sheep and beef farmers are generally in agreement with the principles behind the Ministry for the Environment’s discussion document on the national direction for essential freshwater, but there is substantial unease about the finer details.

Three key areas of concern, identified by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, are proposed restrictions on farm systems to current emissions levels, land use and farm systems termed grandparenting, compliance costs well in excess of forecasts, and the real potential for sheep and beef farmers to be put out of business. Read More

Why don’t New Zealand farmers want to look after their golden goose?

If we want to assure our export markets and tourists that we are actually a clean sustainable country, we actually have to prove it, writes freshwater ecologist Russell Death.

According to some in the agricultural industry, the sky will fall on New Zealand agriculture if the government’s new freshwater policy becomes law. Consumers will no longer have an abundant supply of fresh vegetables and agriculture will cease to exist in parts of New Zealand. There seems to be no mention of the increased health risks both for ourselves and for the farmer’s animals because many nasty pathogens are more abundant in low water quality. My teams research on some of these waterborne pathogens show strong links between the number of ruminants in the catchment of a waterbody and the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia; while the prevalence of these and other gastrointestinal illnesses seem to be on the rise in New Zealand. Read more

Reservoir tender ordered by council

On the day new membranes installed at the Oamaru water treatment plant allowed it to produce about double the supply's normal daily use, the Waitaki District Council pressed the ''go button'' on a new concrete treated water reservoir at the site.

The council yesterday ordered staff to complete an open tendering process for construction of an up to $3.5million, 8700cum reserve reservoir at Reservoir Rd. Read more

Water Plant prepared for boost in Capacity - Otago Daily TimesRead more

Wastewater Survey For Paparoa

A survey of Paparoa residential and commercial properties carried out by the Kaipara District Council has found shortcomings in 50 percent of those inspected, causing contamination of owner’s and neighbouring properties and also the Paparoa River.

A meeting has now been held in the community to form a Paparoa Wastewater Action Group which with council will explore solutions to the problem, beginning next month with a comprehensive survey in the ‘village in the valley’.

“We are carrying out dye tests throughout the Paparoa area to establish the integrity of the individual wastewater systems and how much pollution they may be causing,” said council spokesperson, Gillian Bruce. Read more

Report of the Controller and Auditor-General, Managing the supply of and demand for drinking water

Report of the Governance and Administration Committee.

The audit focussed on the reliability and sustainability of the drinking water. The Auditor-General did not audit the quality of drinking water or compliance with drinking water standards.

View the document here. 

Deep South Challenge Newsletter - Spring 2019

Deep South Challenge Newsletter
Spring 2019

Tēnā koutou katoa,

The national and international conversation about climate change continues to grow in strength. And last week, the Global Commission on Adaptation announced a Year of Action, along with a flagship report which finds that investing $1.8 trillion globally from 2020 to 2030 in five areas could yield $7.1 trillion in net benefits.

So what are we in the Deep South Challenge: Changing with our Climate doing about it? Well, we've cleared some pretty significant hurdles in the months since our last newsletter.

We have now funded a suite of research across Climate Modelling and Observations for Model Development. Nine new projects will be announced over the next couple of months. We congratulate all successful researchers and look forward to the ongoing fruits of their work, which enables us to anticipate New Zealand's future climate, in both the shorter and longer terms.

We have released the Request for Proposals (RfP) for our Domains research, supporting New Zealanders to adapt, manage risk and perhaps even thrive under climate change. We're expecting some high-impact research that will no doubt prove as useful to New Zealand's adaptation conversation as our Phase 1 research has been, particularly in clarifying important research, policy and legislative gaps.

Our team continues to change and grow. We welcome Mike Harvey (NIWA) to our Challenge Leadership Team as new science lead of the Processes & Observations programme. We also welcome back Partnerships Director Angela Halliday from her parental leave. In other great news, Waverley Jones, who was covering for Angela, is also continuing in the role - meaning we now have expanded capacity in our Engagement team, to ensure we can maintain and grow our relationships with partners and stakeholders.

There is much more than can be easily summarised here. Please catch up on the highlights of our recent activity - including results of research and of our stakeholder and community engagement - in the items below.

He mihi o te koanga ki a koutou katoa,

Mike Williams, Director

View the Deep South Challenge Newsletter - Spring 2019 online here.

MEDIA RELEASE - ESR - Groundwater Pesticide Survey finds organic Contaminants

A four yearly nationwide assessment of New Zealand’s groundwater resources has found very low concentrations of organic contaminants in close to two thirds of the wells tested.

ESR has been co-ordinating the groundwater survey since 1990 on behalf of 12 regional and unitary councils. The latest survey was conducted from September to December 2018.  Read full media release below.  

Wastewater stage adopts alternative payment structure

The “high-risk” nature of an upcoming stage of Clyde’s new wastewater scheme means an alternative “cost reimbursement” model will be used for the contract for that stage.

Clyde’s septic tanks would need to be emptied as part of the work constructing reticulation within the historic area of the town, a report from Central Otago District Council capital projects programme manager Patrick Keenan to last week’s 3 waters infrastructure committee meeting said. Read more

Boil water notice lifted - West Melton

Residents connected to the West Melton water supply are advised they no longer need

to boil water.

The Selwyn District Council has received enough test results showing that the water is clear of E.coli for it to be safe to drink.

The Council wishes to thank residents for their patience while the notice was in place.

If residents have any questions they can contact the Council Helpline on 03 347 2800 or 03 318 8338..

Chlorination St: Is Hawke's Bay ready for a satirical play about Havelock North water crisis?

A satirical take on the Havelock North water crisis is set to ruffle feathers as it debuts on the stage in Hastings.

Chlorination St is a one-man play written and performed by local theatrical identity Ken Keys and produced and directed by Pauline Ellen Hayes.

The play itself is based around the 2016 contamination crisis. More than 5000 people got sick, there were 45 hospitalisations, four official deaths and the cost to local agencies was $4 million.

The play aims to shine a spotlight on corporate responsibility, water issues in the region and the debate that has gone on since then. Read more

Organic contaminants detected in two-thirds of NZ wells

Traces of organic contaminants – among them chemicals used to make plastics and sunscreens – have been found in two-thirds of New Zealand's wells.

But ESR scientists say these were detected at very low concentrations in the latest survey of the country's groundwater.

The survey, covering 135 wells on behalf of 12 regional authorities, was carried out between September and December last year.

ESR tested for a range of compounds called emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), using a technique that measured their concentration at parts per trillion of water.  Read more

Are the water proposals a done deal?

Big questions have been raised by farmers at an environmental roadshow on the Government’s freshwater proposals. Read more

Worry on the Waimea Plains as nitrates in some bores exceed water standards

New tests show nitrate concentrations from some bores on the Waimea Plains, near Nelson, exceed the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards.  See more

Draft report released - New Zealand, technology and productivity

Water New Zealand recently made a submission to the New Zealand Productivity Commission's issues paper Technological change and future work.

A draft report has now been released - New Zealand, technology and productivity. 

Māori Anxious about the Future of Water

Reforms on how drinking water will be regulated is at the forefront of the annual Water New Zealand Conference and Expo in Hamilton this week. 

Water New Zealand’s Principal Advisor Water Quality for, Jim Graham says the industry is taking a positive look at the reforms while trying to fully understand what any impacts could be.

"It's made people I suspect a little bit nervous because there are so many unknowns”.

Environment Ministers, David Parker and Nanaia Mahuta updated the sector on the three waters policy announcement by the government in July, a system overhaul to improve the regulation of wastewater and stormwater systems. Small water suppliers such as schools and marae will now come under the new regulatory system. 

Read more. 

Tony Wong: Water Sensitive Cities

Australian urban water management visionary Professor Tony Wong talks to Kathryn Ryan about his pioneering and award-winning ideas on evolving water sensitive cities.

Featuring creative nature-based waterscapes as alternatives to pumping water through concrete channels and pipes, he addresses the social, environmental and economic challenges of urban water management. Professor Wong is Chief Executive of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities in Australia, won the International Water Association World Water Award last year, and is a keynoter speaker at the Water New Zealand conference.

Listen

New WASH Project Flow to transform lives

Help Oxfam New Zealand deliver safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to 12 schools, 8 health care centres in rural highlands of Papua New Guinea reaching an estimated 30,000 people.

"Now that the water is close to my house...my school marks started to improve. It also helps my parents to do other work too." - Rosalyn Kuman, Kopas Village

IN NUMBERS

15% of deaths of children under 5 are caused by diarrhoeal diseases

77% of rural people don’t have access to safe water

156 PNG’s ranking out of 187 countries in the UN Human Development Index

7.5 million people, making it the largest and most populous country in the Pacific

THE PROJECT

Oxfam will partner with local community-based organisations and closely collaborate with government stakeholders, to provide sustainable safe water supply, and foster improved sanitation and hygiene practices in 12 communities in Eastern Highlands Province.

Reaching an estimated 30,000 people, Oxfam and its local partners will install high-quality sustainable water supply and sanitation systems in 12 schools and eight health centres, and deliver training on improved sanitation and hygiene to schools, health centres and surrounding communities.

The new four-year FLOW programme maximises the impact of an investment in 12 schools and eight health centres by linking field-based interventions to a detailed, yet evolving Water, sanitations and hygiene (WaSH-systems strengthening approach, designed to motivate government agencies to implement the new GoPNG WaSH policy and to stimulate communities to demand and support the rollout of essential WaSH services. Within this process, gender transformation in WaSH-governance becomes a significant and explicit objective. By channelling gender-related analysis to key decision-makers and ‘decision-influencers’ at the institutional and community levels, Oxfam aims to grow understanding of the needs of this underserved population.

This activity will support 12 schools and eight health centres in Eastern Highlands Province obtain safe and reliable water supply and sanitation, and achieve and maintain open-defecation-free (ODF)-status. Led by ATP, Oxfam will install infrastructure (a mixture of gravity-fed systems and rainwater catchment) as well as sanitation facilities (most likely ventilated, improved pit latrines and female showers) to increase the use of safe, appropriate and functioning WaSH facilities. A human-centred design approach will ensure that the infrastructure is appropriate to the needs of all community members, including women, children, and people living with disability.

To learn more and support this vital project you can donate direct at Oxfam/ Flow

Or get in touch with Corporate Relationships Manager Charlene Fitisemanu to discuss more.


Art for good

Artist Misery teams up with Oxfam for a one-off mural to transform lives in the Pacific

World-famous New Zealand wall and pop artist, Misery, renowned for her colourful, whimsical characters, has joined forces with Oxfam New Zealand to create a stunning mural in the heart of Auckland’s City Rail Link project, to fundraise the delivery of clean drinking water and sanitisation to Papua New Guinean communities.

The one-of-a-kind mural will be exhibited in downtown Auckland, at 1 Queen Street next to City Rail Link’s tunnel works at Britomart, before seven panels will become individually available for purchase by online auction to raise funds for Oxfam’s work. Misery has kindly provided a number of limited-edition prints as gifts for generous supporters who donate to this Papua New Guinean project.

Mural panels are on public display at 1 Queen St, Auckland CBD, thanks to City Rail Link, before being auctioned later this year. To register interest please contact: charlene.fitisemanu@oxfam.org.nz

Developing a Proof-of-Concept National Pipe Data Portal

This report is an output from the Quake Centre’s Building Innovation Partnership programme (BIP), which is jointly funded by Industry and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE). This report provides a summary of the work undertaken in support of the Building Innovation Partnership Project to develop a proof-of-concept National Pipe Data Portal.

View the document here. 

View information on the meta data standards project on our Projects Page.

Update on freshwater

The Government released a discussion document setting out proposals to improve the health of our freshwater. This was in the form of a new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), proposed National Environmental Standards for freshwater and wastewater, and amendments to the National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water.

You might recall that in April this year MfE released Environment Aotearoa 2019 (EA2019), in conjunction with Statistics New Zealand. This comprehensive report on the state of our environment shone a light on the most critical environmental issues facing New Zealand. The report showed the way we currently live and make a living is having a serious impact on our environment.

The Government’s key priorities include protecting our environment and transitioning New Zealand to a sustainable, low emissions future.

To address some of the issues raised in EA2019, and to help achieve the Government’s priorities, we are proposing changes to rules and regulations to improve the way we manage our freshwater, highly productive land, urban and built environments, waste and hazardous substances.


Planning for successful cities: A discussion document on a proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development

The Government is consulting on a proposal to create a new National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD). This discussion document sets out the policy proposals, sample text for how they might be reflected in a national policy statement, and the rationale behind them.

View the Ministry for the Environments Planning for successful cities: A discussion document on a proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development here. 


Policy consultations - roadshow

We want New Zealanders’ views on these proposals.

From Monday 9 September to Friday 27 September, staff from the Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry for Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry for Primary Industries will conduct public meetings, hui with iwi/Māori, and meetings with local government in over 20 towns and cities. For dates and locations of the meetings, which will provide information on the proposals covered by the five consultations, go here: www.mfe.govt.nz/roadshow.

The events can also be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministryfortheenvironment/

Please share these events with your networks.

Te Wiki o te reo Māori 9 – 15 o Mahuru (September) 2019

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori 2019

9 – 15 Mahuru (September) 2019

Water New Zealand is excited to celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori 2019 (Maori Language Week) this year. Here at Waiora Aotearoa (Water New Zealand), we’ve produced a wonderful Te Hurihanga Wai (water cycle) poster that you can use to brighten up your office walls. Download and print it in either A3 or A4  – whatever size fits best. You can put it above your desks, in your lunchrooms, boardrooms – wherever there’s space.

Action for Healthy Waterways - Freshwater Discussion Document

This morning at 11am the Government has announced proposals for further freshwater reform. The proposals contain details of a new National Environmental Standard for wastewater discharges and overflows on page 59 of the discussion document. The discussion document contains proposals for wastewater network operators to develop a risk management plan for wastewater in their district, and new proposals for stormwater management on page 62.

Submissions close on 17 October and Water New Zealand will be making a submission. Please send any feedback to ceo@waternz.org.nz by Friday, 4 October if you wish us to incorporate your views.

The documents can be found below

WaterAid Australia

As Chief Executive of WaterAid Australia, an international NGO that works towards a world where everyone, everywhere has safe water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030, I am extremely excited to be attending the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo together with our Head of Strategic Partnerships Federico Marcon.

WaterAid Australia is part of a global federation that works in 34 countries and we directly manage programs in Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. Our organisation has a long-standing relationship with the Australian water sector and its main umbrella organisations such as AWA (Australian Water Association) and WSAA (Water Services Association of Australia) and we are a regular exhibitor at OzWater, the annual conference of the Australian water industry. Our partnership with AWA and WSAA is focused on making the Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG6) relevant and achievable for the water industry and the Government as well as maximising business opportunities for the water sector by increasing collaboration and efficiencies.

Thanks to AWA and WSAA, we were introduced to Water New Zealand and we are very excited to be exploring opportunities of engagement and collaboration between WaterAid and the New Zealand water sector, both in county and also for joint programs in support of the Pacific water utilities.

The Conference is a fantastic opportunity for us to better know your sector, meet you face to face and discuss how we can work together. Therefore, I am inviting you to reach out to me or Federico during the Conference so we can start a conversation on how, together, we can maximise the impact of our work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Looking forward to meeting you all in Hamilton!

Rosie Wheen  

 

The Stage 2 report on the National Freshwater and Geothermal Resources Claims

View the report on stage 2 of the National Freshwater and Geothermal Resources inquiry, Waitangi Tribunal Report here. 

Chlorine to stay in Christchurch until end of year

Large parts of Christchurch will have chlorinated drinking water until the end of the year to help allay health concerns triggered by sweeping Government changes over safety regulation.  See more

World Health Organisation Report - Microplastics in Drinking Water

Over the past few years questions and concerns have been raised about the impact that microplastics in drinking-water might have on human health.  This report, is the World Health Organisations first effort to examine the potential human health risks associated with exposure to microplastics in the environment.

Microplastics in drinking water - WHO 2019.pdf

Scotland tastes benefit of a single source of water

New Zealand has long hung its international reputation on its unique tourism, natural food products, agriculture prowess and clean image. But the quality of its water is also part of the story, says a Scottish expert.

See more

Annual report on drinking-water quality 2017-18 has been republished

Note: The previously published Appendix to the Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality 2017-2018 which showed a suppliers compliance with the Health Act 1956 and the Drinking-water Standards 2005 (Revised 2008) was found to contain errors. These errors have been corrected and the Appendix has been republished.

Link > 

MBIE – Building Code Updates and Standards

MBIE have provided some useful links for building code updates and G12 water supply standards.

Building Code Updates

For information regardingupdates to building regulations and upcoming consultations for changes to the Building Code, subscribe to the Building Controls Update via the link below.

https://govt.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=026938519db5ea2b4ed25d644&id=49ac83dd90

Free Standards

Access recently sponsored NZ Standards that are free to download via the link below.

(Click on G12 Water Supplies to display access to 18 sponsored standards cited within the G12 Acceptable Solutions)

https://www.standards.govt.nz/sponsored-standards/building-standards/

G12 Water Supplies

Access the current version of the NZ Building Code clause G12 Water supplies Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods via the link below.

(Refer to G12/AS1 Section 3 for the ‘deemed to comply’ solution for the protection of potable water and backflow prevention)

https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/g-services-and-facilities/g12-water-supplies/

Denmark Best Chlorine-free Model

Water New Zealand’s Principal Adviser Water Quality Jim Graham recently presented a workshop at the Hastings District Council about how chlorine-free water supply in Hawke's Bay and nationwide can be achieved by using Denmark as an example.  Read more

Chlorine-free drinking water - Hastings to hear the European example

Keeping the drinking water supply safe without chlorine is certainly possible, and information on how that might be achieved is being presented at a workshop hosted by Hastings District Council today.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says the presentation by New Zealand water expert Jim Graham on how some European communities keep drinking water safe without using chlorine will be invaluable.

"I want to ensure that we take every opportunity to consider all the information so that, as a community, we can make decisions on the treatment of water into the future.

"We have experts like Mr Graham who can help our community decide whether it is feasible and safe to treat drinking water without chlorine. We may not be able to do it right now, but it is possible depending on cost and risks."

Mr Graham, who is Water New Zealand’s principal water quality advisor, has just returned from Europe, where places like Netherlands and Denmark supply safe drinking water without chlorination. Read more

Controversial Franz Josef stopbank builders warned 'the law is law'

A controversial Franz Josef stopbank may be an "extraordinary piece of engineering", but the process used to construct it has been labelled "unacceptable".

An Auditor-General's report into procurement of work by Westland District Council drew mixed reactions from MPs at Parliament's governance and administration select committee on Wednesday.

The report found in July 2017 mayor Bruce Smith and councillor Durham Havill decided to build the stopbank to deal with a flood risk, without the backing of the full council, and without consulting experts or conducting a proper procurement process. Read more

Chinese water bottlers mothball controversial Christchurch plant

Controversial Chinese water bottlers Cloud Ocean Water has stopped production at its Belfast water bottling plant in Christchurch, citing "challenging market conditions and working capital constraints".

The company in February revealed plans for a second plant adjacent to its existing site in Belfast, but now says it will delay development of the second plant until market conditions improve.

Cloud Ocean Water said in a statement tonight it has today informed staff of a proposal to mothball its two production lines due to challenging market conditions and working capital constraints.  Read more

Global Water Annual Review 2018-19

I am delighted to share this latest Global Water Annual Review – showcasing our key projects, initiatives and achievements from the past 12 months.

Mark Fletcher, ARUP Global Water Leader

Government to overhaul drinking water regulatory system - Radio New Zealand

Jim Graham from Water New Zealand joins RNZ to explain what will be different, and what the effects might be. 

Listen here.

Watchdog required for safe drinking water - Maori Television

Jim Graham from Water New Zealand says, "I think what's really important is this organisation, the new regulator [of] drinking water, waste water and storm water has kaitiakitanga at its heart. ... Water New Zealand says all New Zealand tap water should be drinkable and Māori need to have a say in the future of the precious resource. 

Watch the video here.

Cabinet Paper on the 3 Waters Review

Please find below the Cabinet Paper and press statement from the Minister of Local Government announcing the establishment of a new drinking water regulator. An analysis of this announcement will be included in the next issue of the Water Journal.

Australian watchdog appeals wipes ruling

Australia's consumer watchdog is appealing a Federal Court ruling that Kimberly-Clark's Kleenex wipes are suitable to be flushed down the toilet, arguing that the risk of harm to sewerage systems was overlooked. Read more

Opportunities to participate in Association international activities across Vietnam and Cambodia


Opportunities to participate in Association international activities across Vietnam and Cambodia

The Association is calling for companies and individuals to get involved in our Australian Government funded programs in Vietnam and Cambodia. These programs showcase water innovation and expertise to support improved water and wastewater services. Expressions of Interest are now being sought for:

  • Drinking water technology providers to pilot innovative solutions to provide decentralised drinking water systems in rural areas of Vietnam and Cambodia. This forms part of our Technology Demonstrations project.
  • Technologies to be piloted that support the objectives of the Water Utility Improvement Program (WUIP) in Vietnam and Cambodia including reducing water leakage, improved water quality, management of assets, water metering and customer billing.
  • Companies who wish to join the Australian delegations to Cambodia Water Conference and Exhibition (29 October – 1 November 2019) and Vietwater (5 – 8 November 2019). For further information click here. Early bird registrations for these delegations close 20 August.
  • Young Water Professionals interested in scholarship opportunities to join the delegations to Cambodia Water Conference and Exhibition and Vietwater which will support the development of YWP programs in these countries.

For more information or to express your interest please contact Paul Smith.
Further information on AWA international activities can be accessed here.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Smith, International Manager
Phone: 02 9467 8403
Email: psmith@awa.asn.au

Resource Management Act Reform

Next stage of the Government's resource management reform program announced

This will involve a comprehensive review of the Resource Management Act including how it interacts with other relevant legislation including the Local Government Act (LGA), the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA) and the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act (once passed).

The Government's overall objective for the review is to improve environmental outcomes and enable better and timely urban development within environmental limits.

The Cabinet Paper outlining the various options for the review (including the Government's preferred option, the proposal launched today, and reasons for its selection) can be viewed here. The draft terms of reference for the review can be read here.

What will be addressed by the review?

The review aims to address the following key issues:

  • Unnecessary complexityof the RMA.
  • Improving the quality of plans and the coherence and effectiveness of national direction.
  • Clarifying the roles of central and local government.
  • Strengthening environmental bottom lines.
  • Further clarifying the role of Part 2, including consideration of whether Part 2 matters should remain within the RMA or sit in a separate piece of legislation.
  • Recognising objectives for development (including housing and urban development).
  • Ensuring that processes enable sufficient certainty for major infrastructure.
  • Ensuring New Zealand's resource management system is sufficiently resilient to manage the risks posed by climate change, and that the RMA aligns with the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act (once passed).
  • Urban tree protection.
  • Enabling a new role for spatial planning across the RMA and the LGA and LTMA to provide better alignment of land use planning and regulation with infrastructure planning and funding.
  • Ensuring that Māori have an appropriate role in the resource management system, including giving effect to Treaty of Waitangi settlements and clarifying the meaning of iwi authority and hapū.

What won't be addressed?

  • Institutional reform is not anticipated but the review will include considering the roles of the various resource management institutions.
  • Matters relating to the marine environment New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone.
  • Existing Treaty settlements (except in terms of how any new resource management system will provide for them).

Who will undertake the review?

A new Resource Management Review Panel will be established to carry out the review. Retired Appeal Court Judge Hon Tony Randerson has been appointed as chair of the Panel, with Lesley Baddon heading the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) team. Other Panel members with skills in a wide range of resource management disciplines will be appointed.

Is there any opportunity for consultation?

Three phases of consultation are identified in the Cabinet Paper:

  • Phase 1 is consultation with a "targeted group" including Māori. This group includes EDS, RMLA, NZPI, Forest & Bird, NZLS and the Farmers Leaders Group.
  • Phase 2 will likely involve a wider group, including further sector and environmental groups, and iwi authorities.
  • Phase 3 is public consultation which will begin following Cabinet consideration of proposals developed by the Panel.

There will be further opportunities for consultation once the Government has decided how it will give effect to the Panel's recommendations, which we expect will be through the introduction of one or more bills proposing amendments to the RMA and other relevant legislation.

Timeline for the review

  • The Panel will produce an "issues and options" paper by the end of October 2019, which will be used to solicit public feedback.
  • Feedback received from this paper will be considered by the Panel in preparing its final report.
  • The Panel is due to provide a final report to the Minister by the end of May 2020.
  • This report is to include detailed policy proposals and indicative drafting of key parts of any amendments or new legislation proposed. The Government will then use the report to determine the way forward for its resource management reform program in terms of more detailed policy, process and transitional matters.

The Prime Minister has dubbed 2019 as the year of "delivery" for the Government, and a comprehensive overhaul of the RMA is one of the Government's key deliverables. While today's announcement has been welcomed by many, and provides the first real look at the next stage of the Government's reform program, the review process and timeline proposed mean that we are unlikely to see any substantive reforms before the next election in 2020.

The scope of any reforms that will come out of the review process also remains uncertain. Minister Parker has said that New Zealand needs "a thorough overhaul of the law.” It will be interesting to see how the Government grapples with the numerous and complex issues facing the RMA at present, and how it balances this reform process against the various other environmental work streams it already has underway, and the challenging politics of RMA reform in New Zealand

Health expert renews call for study on nitrates in drinking water

A leading public health scholar warns 50 people could be dying from bowel cancer every year because of nitrate levels in their drinking water. Read more

Environment Canterbury says nitrate challenge being addressed

Environment Canterbury has rejected claims from Forest & Bird that it has been ignoring calls to address nitrate concentrations.

On the contrary, it says it has been prioritising action on this important challenge for many years.  Read more

Cooks govt happy to keep talking about water purifying

Rarotonga's multi-million-dollar reticulation system is due to be commissioned by the end of the year, but there is debate about how, or whether, the water should be purified.

The Cook Islands deputy prime minister says the government has every intention of speaking more with the people of Rarotonga about how to purify the island's water.

Read more

ECan asks Govt to prioritise studies of links between nitrates and health

Evidence nitrates in drinking water may cause health issues such as cancer is "inconclusive" but needs investigating, Environment Canterbury (ECan) will say in a letter to Minister of Health Dr David Clark.  Read more

It's time to stop kicking the fluoride question down the road

Some bulky items, a capital gains tax, less punitive approaches to criminal justice and substantive welfare reform, seem to have been held up at the courier in Jacinda Ardern's much-vaunted year of delivery. But if you thought transformative politics was a tough gig, spare a thought for dental surgeons around Aotearoa who find themselves in the unenviable position of operating on children barely old enough to talk.

Opinion editorial by Luke Oldfield Campaign Manager for science-based advocacy group Making Sense of Fluoride. Read more

PhD Scholarship – Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater

An opportunity is available to undertake a PhD in Civil and Natural Resources Engineering (CNRE), on a 3 year College of Engineering scholarship ($15,000/yr + fees). The research will be in the field of wastewater treatment/management, and supervised by Dr Simone Larcher and Associate Professor Sally Gaw at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand). This will also be a collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute that specialises in science relating to people and communities.

Find out more.  

Infrastructure New Zealand announces new CEO

Infrastructure New Zealand Chair Andrew Stevens today announced that former BNZ General Manager of Institutional Banking Paul Blair will take over as Chief Executive of Infrastructure New Zealand following the Building Nations Symposium to be held in Rotorua on the 21-23 August.

“I’m very pleased to announce that Paul Blair, a former board member of Infrastructure NZ and BNZ executive, will move into the role. Paul’s obvious passion for infrastructure and depth of business experience across New Zealand, Australia and UK will ensure the organisation continues to grow and develop in response to New Zealand’s infrastructure needs,” Stevens says.

“Outgoing CEO Stephen Selwood took an idea for a new business advocacy group and over 14 years turned it into one of New Zealand’s most respected thought leadership organisations. He helped kick off the process for governance reform in Auckland and RMA reform nationally and fought long and hard for the soon to be established New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, among a long list of other achievements.

“Infrastructure is the physical platform for national well-being and development. It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Infrastructure New Zealand as the peak industry body for such a critical sector,” says Stephen Selwood.

“I’m looking forward to a continuing contribution in industry governance roles, both public and private. I know that Paul is as passionate about the sector as I am and will now take the organisation to a new level,” Selwood says.

“I’ve worked with Stephen for a number of years and would like to thank him for his enormous contribution to New Zealand infrastructure. I’m excited to be moving into an organisation and a role with such momentum and opportunity to improve New Zealand’s prosperity, living standards and environment,” Blair says.

ENDS

For further information and comment contact Andrew Stevens on 027 245 7730

Sustainable Development Goals - Voluntary National Review 2019

The attached link contains the New Zealand Government’s response to the United Nations Voluntary National Review 2019, detailing progress toward implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.Water New Zealand had some input while the response in relation to SDG6 was being prepared which is reflected in the final text.

Three Waters Regulation: Report on Targeted Engagement Workshops

In May, the Three Waters Review completed its targeted stakeholder engagement programme relating to regulatory proposals for water.

The cross-agency Three Waters Review team has just compiled a high-level summary of feedback and suggestions following a series of meetings and regional workshops earlier this year.

The team was made up of officials from the Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for the Environment. Its report can be found at the Three Waters Review website. The proposals and this summary report, and views it contains, do not represent Government policy.

The officials sought advice from the local government, health, environment, iwi/Māori, rural and water industry sectors on the emerging regulatory proposals to “enhance the quality and accuracy of further policy work”.

Ministers are expected to make their decisions on the regulation of three waters public in the coming weeks.

Taranaki efforts improving freshwater wins national award

Taranaki community’s mammoth efforts to improve freshwater health at a landscape scale have been recognised by a national award.  Read more here 

Draft Productivity Report on Local Government Funding and Financing

The Commission has today released their draft report on Local Government Funding and Financing. Chapter 9 of the report has some detailed observations about the 3 waters sector and recommendations about what the Commission thinks is a suitable course of action. The report is open for public comment until 29 August. It’s likely that the Association will make a submission. Members are encouraged to send any views they have on the report to ceo@waternz.org.nz.

The Commissions report references a wide variety of other documents. One in particular may be of interest and is available from the office on request. (How funding and financing affects productivity: Implications for three waters reform and for local government funding and financing – prepared for the Commission by Capital Strategic Advisors – June 2019

OAG Annual Plan 2019/20

The OAG have released their Annual Plan for the 2019/20 year. Of interest to members is the proposed work into risk management by local authorities and progress by Government into implementation of the 17 United Nations sustainable development goals. 

View the report here.  

To flush or not to flush: Are wet wipes really as 'flushable' as they say?

To flush or not to flush - that's the contentious question over wet wipes marketed as 'flushable'.

An Australian court last week ruled in favour of a popular brand using the term - which doesn't wash with New Zealand's water industry.

Watercare Trade Waste Manager, Merle Smuts, demonstrated that wet wipes show no signs of breaking down, while toilet paper begins to disperse quickly in water.

While some wipes are advertised as 'flushable', experts argue they cause huge disruptions in our waterways.

"They tend to bind together with other non-flushable materials like oil and fat and create fatbergs," says Water New Zealand's Technical Manager, Noel Roberts.

View the full article here. 

Australian consumer watchdog loses court battle over 'flushable' wipes

Australia's consumer watchdog has lost a federal court battle against a maker of so-called "flushable" wipes, after accusing the company of misleading claims. See more

Ministry of Health Media Release - Publication of Annual Report on Drinking-water quality

Media Release

Publication of Annual Report on Drinking-water quality

27 June 2019
The Ministry of Health has published its annual report on drinking-water quality and compliance, highlighting the significance of Government reforms in this important area of human health.
The release of the Annual Report on Drinking-water Quality 2017-18 includes information on individual supplies, providing a better overall picture of water quality and associated risks.

It reinforces key recommendations from the Inquiry which followed the 2016 Havelock North gastro outbreak in which more than 5000 people fell sick. The inquiry found widespread systemic failure of drinking-water suppliers.

With safe drinking-water a Government priority, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Internal Affairs have continued to push through improvements, including implementation of the Inquiry’s 51 recommendations.

Today’s release contains information on drinking-water quality for all registered, networked supplies serving populations of more than 100 people from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, covering 3,839,000 people.
Following a recommendation from the Inquiry, the format has changed to improve clarity and accessibility, with non-compliance highlighted.

Summary highlights:

  • The overwhelming majority of New Zealanders served by network supplies receive water that is safe andknown to be safe.
  • 97.7% of the report population (3,751,000 people) received drinking-water that achieved the bacteriological Standards during the reporting period, an increase of 1.5% compared with the previous period.
  • 84.7% of the report population (3,250,000 people in 329 supplies) received drinking-water that complied with all the legislative requirements under the Act covered in the report.
  • 99.3% (3,810,000 people in 481 supplies) received drinking-water from a supply with a water safety plan for which implementation has started.

Areas for action:

  • Protozoal achievement (monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment used to remove or inactivate cryptosporidium) fell by 8.3%, from 83.1% to 74.8%, due to tightening of requirements for secure bores. A number of large supplies (including Christchurch central serving 255,500 people) lost their secure bore water status during the reporting period.
  • The report highlights continued shortcomings with a number of small supplies. Although these make up a large proportion of the 493 supplies, they cover a relatively small proportion of the 3.8 million people covered by the report.
  • Note: not all non-achievements or non-compliances automatically mean risk to public health, as some may reflect technical or administrative non-compliances.
  • Note: this is a report against the Standards in place during the reporting period July 2017 - June 2018. These Standards are also under review as part of the response to the Havelock North Inquiry.


“Overall, conclusions from the report are that most New Zealanders receive safe drinking-water,” says the Ministry’s Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay. “However some people, usually those in rural areas or smaller supplies, can’t always access water of the same standard. This needs to change.
“The Ministry has written directly to those suppliers required to have a water safety plan and who’re still failing to comply with the Act.
“We’re committed to the Government’s programme of reform. Work is well underway to continue to drive the improvements we need for drinking-water supply, both in the short and long term.”

The full report is available on the Ministry’s website: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-report-drinking-water-quality-2017-2018
Other useful links:https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/environmental-health/drinking-waterhttps://www.dia.govt.nz/Three-Waters-Review
People who have concerns about their water supply should contact their local water supplier or territorial local authority (TLA). There are further details here: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/register-drinking-water-suppliers-new-zealand-2018-editionhttp://www.drinkingwater.esr.cri.nz/general/nzprocesses.asp

First of its kind in NZ: Microplastics study under way in Lyttelton Harbour

Plastic is being dropped into Lyttelton Harbour as part of a study looking at the impact it has on our marine environment.

Over the next three months, Kiwi scientists will be monitoring the impact and changes plastics have when submerged in water at Lyttelton's port. See more

Canterbury water could be 'undrinkable' in 100 years because of nitrates

Users of Canterbury's world-renowned drinking water have been issued a dire warning: "Pollution could render it undrinkable in 100 years."

The warning comes from the Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Dr Alistair Humphrey, as concern builds over nitrates entering the water supply from dairy farms.

View the full article here.

Radio New Zealand Morning Rural News for 24 June 2019 - Kelvin Hill interview

'The industry group Water New Zealand says there are thousands of private drinking water bores throughout the country especially on farms and on lifestyle blocks and many might not meet current drinking water standards.'

Listen to the full Radio New Zealand, Morning Rural News interview below.

Matariki - 25th June 2019

Matariki is fast approaching, and due to rise and be visible on the morning horizon (NE direction) on 25th June 2019.

Matariki is a cluster of stars highly regarded by various indigenous groups who know it by many names including Pleiades (Greece), Kṛttikā (India), Makali’i (Hawaii) and Subaru (Japan). Matariki has two translations. Mata Riki means 'Tiny Piercing Eyes', and Mata Ariki means 'The Eyes of God'. Both of which support the concept that Matariki is a representation of those we have lost looking after the ones left behind on earth. This is done by indicating the New Year is upon us and what we can expect from the year to come.

Source: Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Mana Magazine - http://www.mana.co.nz/heritage/te-iwa-o-matariki.html

The time of Matariki is signaled by the rising of the cluster above the horizon in the east near the shortest day in winter. Once visible this confirms the middle of winter is upon us and the fruitful warmer seasons are near. It is in this time we congregate with those we hold dear to us, those we rely on and those we wish to build a flourishing relationship with, to celebrate the end of winter rationing of stored food. We come together to dine on the surplus and enjoy each other’s company. We take this time to reflect on the past, lament those that have gone before us, our ancestors that have provided and nurtured us releasing them to the heavens, while preparing the mind and body for the laborious seasons ahead. We take advantage of the time spent together to recite history through storytelling and song to learn from our past. This reflection on our history is used as a foundation to build a more prosperous future and allow us to prepare for the adjustments required of each of us.

Three of the stars in Matariki have a strong connection with water;

Waitī: ties to bodies of fresh water and the food within it.

  • Waitī watches over our freshwater environments. Our awa (rivers), roto (lakes), kūkūwai (wetlands), and waipuna (springs) – to name just a few. As the waters flow, she sees how they support us, provide for us, connect us, and sustain us. Waitī has heard the important stories that our waters have to tell. She encourages us to listen, and to learn from them as well.

Waitā: ties to the ocean and the food within it

  • Waitā surveys our vast oceans, Te Moana-nui-o-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) and Te Tai-o-Rehua (the Tasman Sea). The variety of life in these waters is so diverse that he finds he is still discovering different species of marine plants, whāngote (mammals), manu (birds) and ika (fish) – even after all of this time. Biodiversity is essential to our world. Our actions need to support it, and even better still, enhance it. Waitā encourages us to respect our coasts and oceans, and treat their inhabitants like the taonga (treasures) they really are.

Waipuna-a-Rangi: associated with the precipitation / Rain.

  • Waipuna-ā-rangi welcomes the winter sky waters in all their forms – ua (rain) ua nganga (hail) and hukarere (snow) included. She sees how these waters contribute to the healthy cycle of our earth, and also, the effects when they don’t arrive as required. Waipuna-ā-rangi encourages us to reflect about climate change, and what we can do today to lessen the problem.

Source: Adapted from Kiwi Conservation Club – https://kcc.org.nz/te-iwa-o-matariki-the-nine-stars-of-matariki-promotion/

Also if you feel like partaking in Matariki festivities (22nd June to 14th July),

Informative posters and activity books are available via Te Wānanga o Aotearoa – Te Iwa o Matariki website.

National Disaster Resilience Strategy Question and Answers

This document provides you with more in-depth information on the new National Disaster Resilience Strategy, including to help with any enquiries from stakeholders.

View the document here.

Craft Brewers Oppose New Water Pollution Loophole

Today, 38 craft breweries around the country submitted a letter opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to stop controlling pollution that flows through groundwater into rivers, streams, and lakes. The new policy, announced on April 15, would allow polluters to avoid Clean Water Act requirements by dumping pollution a few feet away from a waterway, or by injecting it underground, even if that pollution ultimately ends up in surface water.

View the full article here.

World leading research being carried out in New Zealand for pipe and valve conditioning monitoring assessment of pressure pipes while in service by Canterbury University

Read what Professor Pedro Jose Lee has been researching at University of Canterbury and trialing locally.

If you'd like to know more or perhaps be part of further trials contact Noel.Roberts@waternz.org.nz

View the documents below:

Air Force diverted $66M to cover growing chemical cleanup costs

A new analysis from the Department of Defense shows the Air Force diverted more than $66 million to cover the cleanup costs of harmful “forever chemicals” that have leached into the water supply.

Those funds were originally intended to cover a number of other projects, including asbestos abatement, radiological cleanup, removing contaminated soil, repairing the protective covering for a landfill and several projects to monitor water for contaminants and pesticides.

View the full article here.

NZUAG Code Effectiveness Working Group Call for Nominations

The NZUAG advise of a member-based working group the NZUAG Board is establishing.The purpose of the working group is to review the effectiveness of the National Code of Practice for Utility Operators’ Access to Transport Corridors (the Code).The NZUAG is seeking a nomination from your organisation for a person to participate in the working group.

View the letter here.

Management of hypochlorite solutions used for water treatment in small drinking water systems

Hypochlorite solutions (HSs), also called liquid chlorine, are widely used as disinfectants during drinking water treatment and distribution. However, the decomposition of the hypochlorite ion results in the formation of undesirable inorganic contaminants such as chlorite, chlorate, bromate and perchlorate. While HS decomposition cannot be completely avoided, it can be minimized through applying adequate practices during the purchasing, handling and storage of such solutions. This article presents the results of an investigation of the management of HS in water treatment plants (WTPs) in small municipalities. The data concerning HS management were acquired through field visits and semi-structured interviews with operators and managers of the small WTPs. The information gathered about HS management practices was compared to best management practice guidelines. Results show that practices involving HS differ between WTPs and that there are important gaps in the application of the existing HS management guidelines. The research revealed that the implementation of specific guidelines for the purchasing, handling and storage of HS is difficult for small WTPs due to the lack of human resources, expertise, and education, as well as a lack of infrastructure capacity.

Find out more here.

More than 1200 Invercargill and Bluff homes at risk from sea level rise

Invercargill appears to be in the firing line when it comes to climate change with more than 1200 homes and 13 critical facilities in Invercargill and Bluff already at risk of rising sea levels. Read more

NZUAG News edition 17: May 2019

The NZUAG Board is calling for nominations from members to be part of a working group that will assess how effective the Code has been and to recommend any necessary changes.

The Code (of Practice for Utility Operators’ Access to Transport Corridors) has been in place since 2012 and has been reviewed twice in that time. The Board is keen to find out how effective it has been for the parties to the Code and the wider community, and whether the purpose and principles of the Code are being met. Details of the working group appear below. This is an important initiative from the Board, and we are keen to have as many nominations as possible. Your industry needs you!

In other news, the revised Code is currently with the Minister for Infrastructure for sign-off, and the Board has confirmed the membership of its working committees for the current financial year. The Board has presented two submissions on the Government’s New Zealand Infrastructure Bill. We received two excellent presentations at our meeting recently- on access to the Kiwi Rail corridor and the common asset data management standard being developed for transport corridors and water assets (see below).

Thank you to those members who have paid, and those who are about to pay, their subscriptions for the 2019/2020 year. Your contributions help us to administer the Code on behalf of industry. If you’re considering joining, then please contact our administrator, Colin Lewis on info@nzuag.org.nzfor further information.

That’s it for now. Please contact us if you have any queries.

Regards,
Paul Swain
Independent Chairman
NZUAG

View the newsletter here.

Environment Minister David Parker talks about clean rivers and water bottling

The Wellbeing Budget earmarked 229 million dollars to clean up our waterways, establish the Climate Change Commission and help bring sustainability to our farms. But it didn't have anything about stricter laws for those who do pollute. Simon Shepherd from Newshub asked Environment Minister David Parker whether more regulations are being considered? Read more

600 water leaks still to be repaired in Christchurch

Contractors are working seven days a week to clear a backlog of hundreds of water leaks across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Read more

Costs of wastewater dispersal triple

Treated wastewater from Moeraki will no longer be discharged on the beach near the Moeraki Boulders.

But as projected costs for a new effluent dispersal system had tripled to roughly $1,250,000 since the project was first planned, how the costs would be shared by ratepayers had yet to be determined by the Waitaki District Council, council assets group manager Neil Jorgensen said. Read more

Pipeline finalist in wellbeing awards

The Waitaki District Council's construction of a 34km pipeline from Oamaru to Hampden to supply safe and reliable drinking water to outlying communities has been named a finalist for a Local Government New Zealand award.

The Excellence Award for economic wellbeing is awarded to a council project that "enhances the economic wellbeing of its community, is responsible for sustained improvements in performance while building organisational capability, or demonstrates strong adaptive ability to ensure effective performance in different contexts over time", a council statement yesterday said. Read more

National Lifelines Council Committee Meeting Update

The New Zealand Lifelines Council held a committee meeting on 5 June.

Attached is a copy of their Regional Lifelines Group Update.

A copy Taranaki Lifelines Vulnerability Study can be found here.

Special Project 1: Spatially-distributed Infrastructure

This is a link to known infrastructure research. It isn't complete so if you have additional information that you feel should be added then contact Liam Wotherspoon, Auckland University who is the administrator of this website.

Council with 'emergency' sewerage overflow pipe has until next week to produce plan to fix it

Wairoa District Council has until next week to spell out how it's going to stop using an "emergency" sewerage overflow pipe that for the past two years has been discharging wastewater onto a river bank. Read more

Napier Council names drinking water as key priority

Napier City councillors are in favour of funding a report to assess the work and costs involved in providing a citywide water network that could be unchlorinated and would meet new national drinking water regulations that are yet to be confirmed. Read more

Plea for law change to protect Christchurch's water from overseas bottlers

Christchurch is pleading with the Government help protect its precious water from overseas bottling companies, saying existing laws are "completely unacceptable".

The council wants the city's aquifer water to be treated as a "sensitive asset" and for new laws to require strict assessments of foreign investors. See more

Drones used to test water quality at Auckland's most popular beaches

Water quality testing at popular swimming beaches has been taken to new heights thanks to the use of drones.

Reporting for work officially for the first time on Thursday, a drone began collecting water quality samples at Takapuna Beach, on Auckland's North Shore on behalf of Auckland Council.

Seagulls rallied as the unmanned aerial vehicle buzzed to life, whizzed about 200m offshore and lowered a sample bag into the blue. It whizzed back and its contents were dropped into a jar for lab analysis. Read more

CIWEM Upgrades its Training for Mentors

When it comes to continuing professional development, mentors matter. CIWEM has relaunched its training programme for would-be mentors. Eugene O’Connell explains why.

Tell us about CIWEM’s mentor-training programme

CIWEM-accredited mentors play a key role in developing and shaping business leaders of the future. We have significantly redeveloped CIWEM’s mentor-training programme and will relaunch it on 11July. This one-day, interactive course provides the skills and tools needed to be an effective mentor. It is designed to support and enhance CIWEM members’ career and personal development needs.

How has the training programme changed, and why?

Because the art and skills of mentoring have advanced considerably in the last few years, CIWEM is changing its programme to equip mentors with the most effective listening, questioning and interpretive techniques. The programme delivers fresh case studies and insights to ensure that programme attendees are skilled at the how, as well as the what, of mentoring

What milestones has the training programme achieved so far?

So far, we have trained more than 70 mentors who have gone on to support many applicants through the process of becoming chartered.

Why is mentoring important to the mentee?

The journey to chartership needs disciplined focus in a busy working life. Having a skilled mentor who has completed the process is an invaluable support as aide, advisor and, sometimes, as a critic.

What does mentoring offer to the mentor?

Community values such as helping others and giving back are often undervalued in our corporate culture. Every relationship I have had over the years as a mentor has been a source of great satisfaction to me. Being a CIWEM mentor can be a great reward in itself, as well as helping to develop those around you to help reach their potential. It doesn’t harm your CV either.

What will those who attend take away from the course when they go back to work?

They will leave with a clear understanding of the process, of the steps involved in helping a mentee on the journey towards chartership. They will also gain a suite of professional mentoring skills, which will help them feel confident in their own ability to help, ensuring the mentee is sufficiently challenged, supported and encouraged.

Eugene O’Connell works for The Coaching Collective

GET INVOLVED:

CIWEM is running its first mentor-training courses in New Zealand on 20th May in Auckland, 22nd May in Hamilton and 24th May in Christchurch. For more information, please visit www.ciwem.org/training/mentor-training to register or contact Rachael.bliss@ciwem.org.

Find out more here.

Possible NZ inclusion in an Australian Passive Grease Trap Standard

Water New Zealand is keen to hear from members if there is an appetite to join Australia in creating a joint AS /NZS standard.

Previous joint standards have had a joining of approximately $25k plus NZ participant expenses which have been funded by the industry.

This new Australian standard will provide the manufacturing and testing requirements for a Passive Grease Traps which are intended to be used for above ground.

The following items are proposed for inclusion:

1. Servicing access requirements

How much space to be retained around and above grease traps to allow vehicle and people to access them and perform servicing functions

2. Trafficable and non-trafficable lids

Size, type and strength of lids requirements

3. Performance criteria and testing

4. Structural Integrity

There is a need to ensure the structural integrity of all passive grease traps, in-ground and above ground, in all foreseeable conditions.

If you are interested then please contact Noel.Roberts@waternz.org.nz

Resilience to Natures Challenges 3 waters Infrastructure work completed to date

This is one of 11 National Science challenges current in progress by CRI’s and Universities funded by central government. We thought some of our members my find this of interest , for more information please contact Noel Roberts.

View the document here.

Measuring emissions guide from MfE

MfE released an updated measuring emissions guide (formerly the guide for voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reporting) earlier this month. Excitedly, it includes emissions factors for water supply and treatment! Note that the figures differ from what is reported in the previous National Performance Review due to updated energy emission factors among other things that I can’t recall exactly right now.

Algae may add $5m to cost of water supply

Alexandra's new $14.8million drinking water supply could end up costing another $5million because of the discovery in Lake Dunstan of the algae that causes lake snow.

However, the potential cost increase could have been even higher if the Lindavia algae had not been discovered now, Central Otago district councillors have heard.

The discovery of the algae - the first time it has been found in Lake Dunstan - was announced in a council statement last week and discussed at the council's Three Waters Infrastructure Committee meeting on Wednesday. Read more

Chlorination under way

Chlorination of Martinborough’s water supply started after 5pm last night with wineries handling an “excruciatingly tight” deadline to manage what could have been a devastating change.

The move means the town could finally be free of its boil water notice by Thursday.

Once chlorination is under way, Regional Public Health is expected to allow the boil water notice to be lifted after three days of clear tests for E.coli, acting South Wairarapa District Council chief executive Jennie Mitchell said. Read more

Chinese water giant Nongfu Spring was courted by Government officials as public opposition grew

Government officials aggressively pursued a Chinese water bottling giant to invest in New Zealand, even while public opposition grew. Now, multiple legal challenges hope to stem the rapidly growing industry. Charlie Mitchell reports. See more

Refreshing Water: Valuing the priceless

Opinion: Dr Eric Crampton, NZ Initiative

New Zealand deserves far better water management. Scores of newspaper articles and rigorous reports lay out the problems in the current system. Too much water is being drawn in some catchments, to the detriment of aquifers and rivers. Management of contaminants flowing into the rivers is haphazard and too-often poor. While agricultural runoff into rivers and streams has drawn much attention, urban areas are far from blameless.

The Land and Water Forum’s most recent advice to Ministers summarised the problem well. Minister for the Environment David Parker in October 2018 committed the government to a two-year agenda for an improved freshwater management system. Read more

Drugs lurking in our Wastewater

The stunning dominance of methamphetamine in illicit drug use in New Zealand and the higher use of the party drug ecstasy in the South Island has been revealed by the first-ever batch of nationwide wastewater tests.

Police on Tuesday released the results of three months testing (November to January) for meth, cocaine, heroin, MDMA/ecstasy and fentanyl at 37 wastewater plants taking in 80 per cent of New Zealand's population.

The results showed an overwhelming dominance of methamphetamine with nationwide use equating to $1 billion a year and an estimated $20 million per week in social harm. Read more

Technological Change and The Future of Work

The Productivity Commission has been asked by Government to undertake the above study. The discussion paper on the subject has been released for public comment. Water New Zealand plans to make a submission. If members have ideas or suggestions where we can focus then please send these to Noel Roberts noel.roberts@waternz.org.nz by 13 May. A draft submission will be circulated in late May for members to comment on.

Revised drinking-water safety plan guidance material – “Handbook for Preparing a Water Safety Plan"

A drinking-water Water Safety Plan is essential to the good management of a drinking-water supply. The Health Act 1956 requires certain drinking-water suppliers to have and implement a “Water Safety Plan” (WSP). Whilst the Act describes the statutory requirements for a drinking-water water safety plan and incorporates the principles of public health risk management in those requirements, new guidance around planning drinking-water safety and managing health risks will align drinking-water water safety plans more closely with international best practice.

In December 2018, the Ministry of Health released the “Drinking-Water Safety Plan Framework (WSP Framework)” which outlines what the Ministry of Health expects drinking-water suppliers to include in their water safety plans.
In support of the ‘Water Safety Plan Framework’ the Ministry of Health has released the next guidance tool to aid in the development of water safety plan’s the “Handbook for Preparing a Water Safety Plan”. For each of the core water safety plan components listed within the framework, the ‘Handbook’ sets out what the WSP should contain and what the water supplier needs to do to prepare the content of that frameworks development.
The development of the ‘Handbook’ has been completed and has been published on the Ministry’s website at: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/handbook-preparing-water-safety-plan
The Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water. 2017. Report of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry: Stage 2 (Stage 2 Report)made a number of recommendations in relation to drinking-water safety planning.The Ministry of Health commissioned drinking-water experts in the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, supported by Dr Heather Uwins-England (former Director, Water Supply Regulation, Office of the Water Supply Regulator Queensland), and Matt Parkinson (Director, Wai Comply) to review and revise the Ministry’s WSP Framework and supporting guides and templates.

If you have any question please feel free to contact"

Karen Beirne
Team Leader, Drinking Water, Environmental and Border Health, Public Health, Population Health and Prevention
Ministry of Health
DDI: 04 816 4487
Fax: 04 495 4401
http://www.health.govt.nz
Karen_Beirne@moh.govt.nz

Environment Aotearoa 2019 – our state of the environment report

Background to this report (extracted from the report)

This report is different to the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ’s regular six-monthly reports that cycle air, freshwater, marine, atmosphere and climate, and land domains. It is a synthesis report – bringing together all the domain reports to help us step inside and view our environment as a whole, in all its complexity.

The Environmental Reporting Act of 2015 (the Act) requires the Secretary for the Environment and the Government Statistician to produce such a synthesis state of the environment report every three years. Its purpose is to present ‘a diagnosis of the health of our environment’ to enable us as a nation, as iwi, as whānau, as communities, sectors, and individuals to understand the things that affect, or potentially affect the health of our environment. The last full report was Environment Aotearoa 2015 (before the Act), and before that versions in 2007 and 1997.

So while not suggesting responses (which are out of scope under the legislation), Environment Aotearoa 2019 provides evidence to enable an open and honest conversation about what we have, what we are at risk of losing, and where we can make changes.

The data used in Environment Aotearoa 2019 is drawn from the most recent domain reports (Our marine environment 2016, Our fresh water 2017, Our atmosphere and climate 2017, Our land 2018, and Our air 2018). The evidence base for this report is drawn from a set of environmental indicator web pages that are available on the Stats NZ website. Of the environmental indicators used in this report, 18 are new or have been updated since they were last used in a domain report, as new data has become available. (See the Environmental indicators section for links to all new and existing indicators referred to in this report.)

To provide the best picture in this report, including of emerging concerns, the report also draws on a body of evidence, such as government reports and peer-reviewed science papers. While the report tells a national story, it acknowledges important regional variations where possible.

As per the Act, state, pressure, and impact are used to report on the environment. The logic of the framework is that pressures cause changes to the state of the environment, and these changes have impacts. Impacts to ecological integrity, public health, economy, te ao Māori, culture, and recreation are described, as recommended under the Act.

The timeframes used throughout the report are largely dictated by the data that is available. Where possible, data is used to highlight significant periods of change. The time before humans arrived is sometimes used as a benchmark when the concept of ‘departure from natural conditions’ is discussed, to help characterise the significance of change.

In this report we have used the term ‘farming’ to refer to pastoral farming (including dairy, beef, sheep, and other livestock), horticulture, and arable cropping. When quoting from the body of evidence, we have used the term ‘agriculture’ to describe the same activities, where it is a direct quote from the source document.

Although the report does not specifically address uncertainty in measurements or conclusions in most instances, it acknowledges that it is present in all data and analysis. Where there is enough uncertainty to significantly impact the understanding of an issue it is highlighted as a knowledge gap.

This report has three main parts:

  • ‘About Environment Aotearoa 2019’ helps to orient us and explain our environment.
  • The second part ‘Themes and issues’ uses five themes to present nine priority environmental issues.
  • The last part ‘Towards a better understanding of our environment’ sets out the challenges we must overcome so future decisions about

View the document here.

Building System Legislative Reform

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment has released a set of proposals to amend the regulatory settings for the building industry. These have implications for backflow and plumbing related matters. There may also be implications in the approach being taken to registration of engineers for our sector, but it isn’t clear. The document can be accessed here. Submissions close 17 June. We will be making a submission and circulating a draft for comment in due course. If members believe there are issues they would like us to focus on please let Noel Roberts know.

Leaky pipes lose 70 swimming pools worth of Christchurch water a week

An estimated nine billion litres of water is lost every year in Christchurch through leaks, broken pipes and faults – the equivalent of 70 Olympic-size swimming pools a week. See more

Report highlights poor state of water pipes in Taranaki

South Taranaki has the highest proportion of wastewater pipes in bad condition in New Zealand, with New Plymouth not far behind, Water New Zealand's National Performance Review has found. See more

Martinborough businesses could seek compensation over contamination losses

Martinborough business leaders want compensation to be considered after a second bout of E.coli contamination.

The "boil only" notice was seriously affecting the community and its reputation and Martinborough Business Association chairman Peter Couchman said the costs to local businesses were "enormous".

A recent report showed the South Wairarapa District Council had to take responsibility, he said.

View the full article here.

Reform of Vocational Education Submission

Connexis is New Zealand’s Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation. Appointed by Government as the standard setting body for the Infrastructure Industries, Connexis offer nationally recognised tertiary qualifications for the following industries:

  • Civil
  • Energy
  • Telecommunications
  • Water

Following the Government announcement on 13 February Connexis has been consulting with our industry owners on the RoVE proposal. We have held a series of meetings throughout New Zealand and gathered feedback through an online and hardcopy survey. The full results of the survey are attached as Appendix 1 of our submission. Our submission represents the aggregated feedback from the industries listed above, with commentary from Connexis.

View the document here.

New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Inventory

Water New Zealand members may be particularly interested in page 354, paragraph 7.5 on emissions from wastewater production.

View the document here.

New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory (the inventory) is the official annual report of all anthropogenic (human-induced) emissions and removals of greenhouse gases (GHG) in New Zealand. It measures New Zealand’s progress against obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the Convention) and the Kyoto Protocol and is the official basis for measuring New Zealand’s progress towards its international emissions reduction targets.

The inventory submission consists of the common reporting format (CRF) database containing inventory data for 1990–2017 from all emissions and removals in New Zealand together with this publication, the national inventory report, which is a narrative that presents major emission trends and methodologies for estimating emissions and removals. It also includes sections on the inventory uncertainties, recalculations and improvements.

Inventory reporting under the Convention covers seven direct GHGs: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).1 Indirect GHGs2 are also included; however, only emissions and removals of the direct GHGs are included in estimates of total national emissions under the Convention and accounted for under the Kyoto Protocol.

The gases are reported under five sectors: Energy; Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU); Agriculture; Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF); and Waste.

New Zealand ratified the Convention on 16 September 1993 and the Paris Agreement on 4 October 2016. The extension (as of 13 November 2017) of New Zealand’s ratification of the Convention and the Paris Agreement to include Tokelau means, inter alia, that New Zealand’s national inventory shall include GHG emissions and removals estimates from Tokelau. For the first time, emissions from Tokelau are included in New Zealand’s greenhouse inventory.

National Water Taste Test

The Water Industry Operations Group NZ (WIOG) are proud to invite your organisation to participate in the National Water Taste Test Competition.

Read the invitation here.

'Matter of luck' Martinborough water contamination wasn't another Havelock North

An independent review into a South Wairarapa town's water contamination has said "it was a matter of luck" that the incident was not a repeat of Havelock North.

Just days after the report was released to the public, a boil water notice has been issued again to Martinborough households after "a very low" level of E. Coli bacteria has been detected.

E. Coli was also detected in the Martinborough water supply on the January 30 this year and led to a boil-water notice being in place for 20 days.

An independent report into the first contamination was written by Lutra, an expert water consultancy.

It found the incident "highlighted shortcomings in the design, operation and management of the Martinborough water supply system" Read more

National Planning Standards

The Minister for the Environment, David Parker, has released the first set of planning standardsthat come into force on 3 May 2019. The planning standards are a set of national rules aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system. They are designed to make regional policy statements, regional plans, district plans and combined plans under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) more consistent with each other, easier to use and faster to make. See here for more details.

Women in Utilities - World Bank Survey on gender in Water Utilities

WaterAid is co-convening a session at the Stockholm World Water Week on women in utilities with the World Bank, USAID and others. The World Bank is carrying out a study on gender in utilities using the questionnaire attached and they have reached out to us asking to collect data in New Zealand. The survey needs to be completed by the HR department in the utilities. If it can be completed by the end of May it can be included in the World Bank study. Please find attached the questionnaire and the cover letter explaining the survey.

Meet the delegations from Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia at Ozwater

Below is an update you on the International delegations attending Ozwater and inquire if you wished to meet the delegations and get involved in their program. Please follow up with An Nguyen and Paul Smith with your interest in meeting the SEAsian delegations and we will send you details of their activities during Ozwater.

The SEAsian delegations attending Ozwater include:

Vietnam

  • Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (AWA MoU Partner)
  • 5 Vietnam Water utilities involved in twinning program
  • Other Vietnam water utilities
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Ministry of Construction
  • Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology
  • Vietnam Water Directorate
  • Vietnam private sector companies
  • ADB Vietnam
  • DFAT post

The Vietnam Climate Innovation Centre (VCIC), the Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and AWA have been developing an artificial intelligence business matching software tool called VTEX (http://www.vtex.vn/). The MoST and VCIC will be provide information and training seminars on VTEX during Ozwater. Please advise An and myself if you would like to arrange an appointment with MoST and VCIC at Ozwater.

AWA are soon to call for proposals for the next round of small scale drinking water technology installation in Vietnam and AWA can brief you more on this at Ozwater should you be interested.

Indonesia

  • PERPAMSI – AWA MoU partner and peak water association of Indonesia
  • Cambodian water utilities
  • Indonesia Ministry – DGHS
  • Indonesian Ministry BPPSPAM
  • Indonesian Ministry BAPPANES
  • Indonesia Private sector companies
  • KIAT Team (DFAT Water Fund)
  • DFAT post

AWA are about to commence a Water Utility Improvement Program (twinning) between Australian and Indonesia water utilities and now looking for private companies to get involved in the program to trial technology that can be applied to advance the objectives of the twinning program including: Asset Management, Non-Revenue Water, drinking water technology and wastewater technology and supply – demand planning. Please advise AWA if you wished to get involved in this program. There will also be opportunities for you to hear about upcoming tenders from the DFAT KIAT water infrastructure program in Indonesia.

Cambodia

  • Cambodian Water Association (AWA MoU Partner)
  • Cambodian Water utilities
  • Ministry of Industry and Handicraft
  • Ministry of Rural Development
  • Cambodian private sector companies
  • DFAT post
  • 3i Program team members (DFAT water fund)

AWA are now commencing a DFAT funded program in Cambodia including:

  • Water Utility Improvement Program between Australia and Cambodia water utility
  • Drinking water technology demonstrations and capacity building
  • Business introductions between Cambodian and Australian private sector companies

Please contact An or I if you wished to get involved in the Cambodian Program.

AWA are also preparing for the Australian delegations to Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam during 2019 and I have provide information below for your consideration. Please contact AWA should you be interested in joining these delegations.

  • Indonesia Water & Wastewater Expo & Forum: 18-20 September, Jakarta, Indonesia. The event, hosted by AWA’s MoU partner and the peak water supply association of Indonesia (PERPAMSI), offers the opportunity to network with more than 200 exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors from 10 countries and regions. The Association will be coordinating exhibition space in the Australian Pavilion, business matching workshops, workshops with the Indonesian and Australian utilities involved in the Water Utility Improvement Program, networking night and site tour to water treatment facilities.
  • Cambodian Water Conference and Exhibition, 30-October – 1 November 2019: Following the signing of the MoU between AWA and the Cambodian Water Association in 2018, AWA will be coordinating a delegation to attend the CWA’s annual conference and exhibition. The program will include business introductions, networking events, exhibition space in the Australian pavilion and site tours.

Vietwater 2019: 4-8 November 2019, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Built from the largest Australian delegations to ever travel to Vietnam for Vietnam for Vietwater’15, 16, 17 and 18 with over 320 Australian delegates, the Association is coordinating the 5th Australian delegation to Vietwater 2019 which attracts over 15,000 delegates from over 500 countries and includes a series of workshops, business meetings, a site tour and networking events designed to facilitate strengthened partnerships. Delegates will have their company details profiled in the VTEX Australia-Vietnam business matching platform with no less the three pre-arranged business meetings for each delegate. The program for last year’s Vietwater delegation can be viewed at: http://www.awa.asn.au/documents/Vietwater_Delegation_Invitation_Program_2018.pdf

Martinborough water contamination report issued

Water New Zealand says the report into Martinborough's water contamination in January shows the need for better education and training in the water sector.

The report was commissioned following the discovery of E.Coli in the town's water supply on January 30. This resulted in a boil water notice being put in place until 21 February. Click here to see the report.

David Parker says he'll have failed if rivers not healthier when he leaves politics

Minister for the Environment David Parker says he will personally feel he has failed if the country's fresh water is not in a better state when he leaves politics than when he entered.

The comments were made on Friday during a keynote address to the New Zealand Planning Institute's annual conference, titled Weaving the Strands, held in Napier.

"By the time I finish politics, if I haven't helped get this problem under control, I'll personally feel that I've failed, so I am pretty determined to give it a push." Read more

New Zealand needs to plan for future climate disasters - expert

An international planning expert has joined the chorus of people urging New Zealand to start taking climate change seriously.

Former US State Legislator Sue Minter told The AM Show that climate change will affect the country in multiple ways.

"I think we have to realise that climate change is real and it is here and obviously New Zealand is under threat whether you look at coastal erosion, sea level rise or storm surge.

"These are just some of the very serious hazards that, because of your geography, you really have to face."

Minter will be appearing at the New Zealand Planning Institute's (NZPI) annual conference, where she will speak about her experience leading the response in her home state of Vermont to Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.Read/See more

Walk for Water

More than 50 engineers and humanitarians took up the challenge last week of carrying 20L of water for 6 km around Auckland.

The event was supported by Water New Zealand as part of World Water Day. According to the UN, walking 6 kms to fetch water is the average daily burden of many women and girls in low income countries. It’s time that could have been spent in education.

All the money raised supports Engineers Without Borders' work to empower and train locals involved in their own community development, to ensure than water access solutions are sustainable and focused on the long term. https://givealittle.co.nz/org/ewbnz/fundraisers

Engineering Leadership Forum Submissions

Engineering Leadership Forum Submissions for the month of April

"Waste disposal" attitudes persist

Water New Zealand say messages about preventing sewage blockages not getting through to Kiwis.

People using their sinks and toilets as "waste disposal units" have been responsible for many of the sewage overflows during the dry weather this summer.

So says Water New Zealand, which has just published its latest performance comparison report, the 2017/18 National Performance Review (NPR), which looks at the state of our drinking, storm and wastewater assets.

The majority of the overflows have been caused by blocked pipes, an all too common outcome of people treating their toilets and sinks as waste disposal units, the review says.

The NPR found that since 2015-16 the number of sewage overflows occurring during dry weather blockages has increased five-fold.

View the NZ Herald article here.

Findings of the EPA national investigation into firefighting foams containing PFOS

In December 2017, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) began a national investigation into whether certain firefighting foams were present at airports and other locations in New Zealand. The foams under investigation contain a banned chemical, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS). This report describes the outcome of this initiative.

View the report here.  

Watercare's Climate Change Strategy

Watercare’s newly-released Climate Change Strategy addresses the effects of a changing climate and contributes towards its strategic priority to become fully sustainable. It provides direction to staff and contractors about adapting to climate change and reducing emissions.

View the final strategy here.

View the communication summary here.

View the press release here.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2020 opens for nomination

The prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2020 is now open for nominations.

We are once again looking for a potential winner for the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize. The call for nominees for the 2020 edition of the Prize will close on 1 July 2019, and the winner formally announced and honoured at Singapore International Water Week 2020. Then, in a highlight award ceremony, the newest Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize laureate will receive a gold medallion, a certificate, S$300,000 (about US$220,000) and wide international acclaim.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize honours outstanding individuals or organisations who have benefitted humanity by significantly solving the world’s water problems through the use of revolutionary technologies or innovative policies and programmes. The Prize is named after Lee Kuan Yew, independent Singapore’s first Prime Minister, whose foresight and leadership has enabled Singapore to enjoy a sustainable and high-quality water supply. The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Temasek Foundation Innovates, a Singapore-based non-profit philanthropic organisation.

We have awarded the Prize to eight laureates to-date. Dr Andrew Benedek was awarded the first Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize in 2008 for his outstanding work in the development of low-pressure membranes, and Professor Gatze Lettinga in 2009 for pioneering the treatment of used water using anaerobic technology. The Yellow River Conservancy Commission was awarded the Prize in 2010 for integrated river basin management on an unrivalled scale. Dr James Barnard won in 2011 for his invention of an eco-friendly method for nutrient removal in used water. The 2012 laureate, Professor Mark van Loosdrecht, invented Anammox, a process which greatly reduces energy consumption and chemical use in used water treatment. The 2014 Prize was given to the Orange County Water District for its work in groundwater management, its use of advanced technologies in water reclamation, and for advancing public acceptance of water reuse. In 2016, Professor John Cherry, was lauded for his contributions which led to global recognition of groundwater processes and the development of improved methods for monitoring groundwater contamination.

Most recently, the 2018 laureate, Professor Rita Cowell was awarded the Prize for her pioneering insights into microbial water quality surveillance, and her pivotal contributions in translating these insights into concrete practices and policies to better manage waterborne diseases and protect public health.

As we commence our search for the next Prize laureate, I ask you, a leader in the global water industry, to help us pass the word around and, better still, point us towards worthy nominees. Let us know of who you think may be deserving and I assure you that we will follow up with determined interest.

You may find more information about the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize in the attached brochure and on our website. I certainly encourage you to get in touch with us at leekuanyewwaterprize@siww.com.sg

Find out more here.

Otago Regional Council 'at fault' over 7-year Hawea wastewater plant pollution, consents breaches - residents

A wastewater treatment plant at Lake Hawea has been breaching its resource consent for seven years, polluting surrounding land with excess levels of nitrogen. See more

Time to re-examine Ministry of Health’s function:Opinion

Umpteen management restructurings and public sector and health sector ‘‘reforms’’ have also eclipsed the public health focus. In a just-released book, The Health of the People, Professor Sir David Skegg quotes the report of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry of 2017, which uncompromisingly said there had been a ‘‘complete failure of leadership and stewardship’’ by the ministry. See more

Quake Centre update - Evidence-based Investment Decision Making for 3 Waters Networks (Pipe Renewals) – Developing the National Pipe Data Portal

For a few years now the Quake Centre has been interested in tackling issues related to the investment, service delivery and resilience of New Zealand’s underground infrastructure with a particular interest in the management of 3 waters assets. The Centre has a number of activity streams ongoing including: applied research and the development of guidelines, standards and tools with a focus on smarter ways of tackling problems from a coordinated, national perspective. The aim is to assist local authorities to make local decisions based on sound data and in a way that reflects national best practice.

A couple of key projects are the furthering of the NZ Asset Metadata Standards (NZAMS) and the creation of a National Pipe Data Portal.

View the update here.

Community group airs disquiet over water issues

Concerns about consent breaches, infrastructure limits, and a lack of information about wastewater discharge at the Hawea wastewater treatment plant were the main subjects for discussion at a meeting held late last week.

See more

Clean tap water so close they can almost taste it

Residents in South Marlborough are a step closer to seeing their town's boil water notice taken out of the newspaper. See more

World Water Day Walk for Water

Water New Zealand is pleased to support the Walk for Water Challenge in Auckland as part of World Water Day (22 March). However, in respect for those affected by the recent events in Christchurch, the organisers have decided to postpone the walk until the 5 April 2019.

Engineers without Borders Chief Executive Dane Hart said that the event would have coincided with the remembrance vigil at Aotea Square this Friday afternoon.

He says many of the challenge participants would now be attending the vigil. Please go to the Engineers Without Borders website for information on the new date for the Walk for Water Challenge.

Climate change: New Zealand wants action, but it's coming too slow to save our future

OPINION: When Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg inspired a millennials' global movement – students striking for climate-change action to 'save the future' – she posed a rhetorical question: Why should her generation be forced to study when "the most important facts given by the finest scientists are ignored by our politicians".

Those last words of hers, "ignored by politicians", ought to be resonating with MPs, mayors and councillors everywhere who fancy getting re-elected. Read more

John Pfahlert interview with Newstalk ZB

The demonstration of more than 2000 people in Christchurch at the weekend against a water bottling company shipping billions of litres of water overseas sparked a significant discussion in the media about the issues around selling water overseas. Listen to Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert discuss water bottling with Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessey Allen.

E-coli discovery in Kaikoura water

The town of Kaikoura has been told to boil water following the discovery of e-coli in the water supply.

Water New Zealand Principal Advisor Water Quality, Jim Graham spoke to RNZ's Karyn Hay on Lately about the implications of the finding. Go here to listen to the interview with Jim and freshwater campaigner Mike Joy.

Auckland Water Strategy Discussion Document 2019

View the Auckland Water Strategy Discussion Document 2019 here.

'Put New Zealanders first': Protestors take to Christchurch streets calling for end to local water being sold offshore

Thousands of people took to the streets in Christchurch calling on the government to put an end to water bottling.

They had a clear message for the company selling its water offshore. See more

Westland District Council slated by Auditor-General for building flood wall

A decision by the Westland District Council to build a stopbank at Franz Josef to protect the town's wastewater treatment plant from flooding was not well made nor money well spent, the Auditor-General's report found.

See more. Go here to see the Auditor-General's report.

Review of National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water

The Ministry for the Environment has released a document on the Review of National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water.

View the document here.

Reform of Vocational Education Consultation Discussion Document

The Ministry of Education invites comment on the Reform of Vocational Education Consultation discussion document. Water New Zealand will making a submission on this document. Please provide feedback to CEO, John Pfahlert by Monday, 18 March.

View the document here.

National Party - Our Environment - Discussion Document

The National Party is seeking submissions on Our Environment - Discussion Document. Water New Zealand will be making a submission and is requesting member feedback by 15 March to CEO, John Pfahlert

View the discussion document here.

Water restrictions in the pipeline as Chch council admits it will miss chlorine deadline

Christchurch could face water restrictions after the city council admitted it will miss its May deadline to remove chlorine from drinking water.

Supplies are unlikely to be entirely free of chlorine until October under the current timetable of work to repair vulnerable well heads. See more

Water restrictions in the pipeline as Chch council admits it will miss chlorine deadline

Christchurch could face water restrictions after the city council admitted it will miss its May deadline to remove chlorine from drinking water.

Supplies are unlikely to be entirely free of chlorine until October under the current timetable of work to repair vulnerable well heads. See more

New Zealand Infrastructure Commission - Te Waihanga

The Government has decided to create a new Infrastructure Commission based on the existing Infrastructure Unit in Treasury. Details of how the Commission will function can be attached via the attached link. Copies of the relevant Cabinet decisions are also available via this link.

No wipes down the pipes

Auckland's Watercare is partnering with Plunket to encourage new parents to keep potential blockages out of the sewage system – in particular, so-called ‘flushable’ wet wipes that are actually nothing of the kind. See more

LINZ Key Dataset Improvement Questionnaire

As part of the update on LINZ’s resilience work LINZ has a key data improvement initiative that they are currently seeking feedback from users to help prioritise data improvements.

The link below will take you to a site that provides a brief overview of this work, and also access to 12 individual surveys for each of the key dataset groups. LINZ are not expecting that everyone will undertake all 12 surveys, just those that are of most interest to their work. Each survey should take around 10 minutes.

Please feel free to take a look, and if there are any of the groups that you’d like to offer a view on please take the survey:

https://linz.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=677cefb975c84547b518b39798df75ee

The Cascade Effect: Re-thinking climate resilience

A new report shows that better climate change planning is needed before billions are spent upgrading old water infrastructure.

Listen to the RNZ interview with Dr Judy Lawrence from Victoria University of Wellington.

Contract awarded for $27 million water treatment plant in Whangārei

The contract to build a new $27 million water treatment plant at Whangārei's Whau Valley which will secure the city's urban water supply for decades has been awarded.

The plant will be at 270 Whau Valley Rd and supplied with raw water from the existing Whau Valley Dam and the Hatea River.

The contract worth $26,977,568.29 plus GST was awarded to Broadspectrum at a full council meeting last week.

Infrastructure general manager Simon Weston said the new plant would increase the water supply from 15,000 cubic metres processed each day by the existing plant to 22,000 cubic metres a day and would involve new filtration systems and the latest technology. Read more

Promising results from denitrification wall

A world-first denitrification wall at Silverstream, North Canterbury designed to reduce high groundwater nitrate levels is working as anticipated.

The trial is led by the Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR).

So far the nitrate levels in groundwater have been reduced from 7.1mg/L to 0.5 mg/L by the wall at Silverstream Reserve.

The 25m-long wall, installed eight weeks ago, is a world-first: no denitrification wall has ever been tested in a fast-flowing gravel aquifer system such as the one at Silverstream.

ESR senior scientist Lee Burbery says the wall is working as anticipated. Read more

Connexis 2019 Price Changes

Find out more about Connexis' 2019 Price Changes here.

John Mackie reportedly quits top Christchurch City Council water job

Christchurch City Council water boss John Mackie is understood to have resigned suddenly following a turbulent year.

Mackie was appointed in January 2016 as head of three waters and waste, which runs the city's water supply, stormwater and sewerage systems.

View the full Stuff article here.

Would chlorination have prevented Martinborough's water woes?

As Martinborough continues to be impacted by a boil water notice, an expert explains why small towns are more susceptible to bouts of contamination.

Water New Zealand principal water quality advisor Jim Graham said treatment plants in smaller communities were often not up to the standard of sophisticated overseas infrastructure that made water safe without chlorination.

Graham was familiar with the Martinborough water supply and said it used a "pretty standard treatment method" for a town of its size.

South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) employs a UV treatment and filtration system for the extracted groundwater from its Martinborough bore source. Read more.

E. coli found in Martinborough's water supply, residents told to boil water

Water tankers and drinking water stations are in Martinborough for the town's annual Country Fair after E.coli was found in the town water supply.

South Wairarapa District Council issued a boil water notice to town residents on Friday afternoon after a very low level of E.coli was detected in the non-chlorinated supply.

Drinking water stations have been placed around Martinborough Square for those visiting the fair on Saturday and a 20,000 litre tanker for residents was available away from the Square on the corner of Cork and Strasbourge Streets. Read more

Water activists concerned after Chinese bottling company reveals plans for second Canterbury plant

Water activists in Christchurch are concerned after a controversial Chinese water bottling company revealed plans to build a second factory in the region.

Cloud Ocean Water has bought a block of land in Belfast near its existing site and says the new bottling plant would employ 200 workers.

The community group seeking to overturn the company's water consents is surprised at the expansion plans. Read more

Could turning aquifers into managed reservoirs prevent water shortages and seawater contamination?

It seems the neatest of solutions: take the winter water that rages, unneeded, to the sea, put it in a great underground tank, and drag it out again as the summer dry threatens to brown the grass and suck the life out of parched apples, lettuces, peas.

Managed aquifer recharge is the new buzz phrase in the search for answers to New Zealand's twin problems of increasingly scarce water and weed-choked rivers toxic enough to kill fish. Read more

BRANZ Study Report - Residential water tariffs in New Zealand

The BRANZ study report on Residential water tariffs in New Zealand contains details of how Councils charge for water, wastewater and stormwater.

View the document here.

MCDEM - Do you want to know what the Government will do in a Wellington earthquake event?

Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management are pleased to announce the publication of the Wellington Earthquake National Initial Response Plan (WENIRP). The Plan is now available on the MCDEM website - https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/cdem-sector/guidelines/wellington-earthquake-national-initial-response-plan/

The WENIRP’s publication is the culmination of two years of multi-agency planning, focused on the testing of assumptions and the identification of support requirements between and across agencies. This has resulted in the development of an evidence base that has enhanced our understanding of the response priorities, and has enabled prioritisation and de-confliction of actions across the national response. The plan as strengthened and clarified response arrangements, and leaves us better placed to respond to a Wellington Earthquake.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have contributed to this process. Your engagement has been appreciated and I recognise that the Plan would not be where it is without the contributions from you and your teams.

With the WENIRP’s publication, our focus will shift to ensuring WENIRP is understood and embedded across the sector and that, if activated, agencies (including MCDEM), organisations and CDEM Groups are able to respond and meet their responsibilities.

Drinking-water Standards revision concerns

The Ministry of Health has released an updated drinking-water standard, DWSNZ 2005 (Revised 2018) which will come into effect on 1 March this year. Water New Zealand supports some of the changes but has concerns about others. This has prompted Jim Graham, Principal Water Quality Advisor for Water New Zealand to write to the Director General of Health, raising a number of these concerns and asking that implementation of the new standard be delayed until adequate consultation with the industry can be undertaken.

While we agree with the introduction of total coliform testing and enumeration of E. coli tests, we are concerned that the protozoa treatment level is being reduced to a default of 3-log. We understand that the Ministry of Health has made this decision based on Cryptosporidium sampling undertaken by water suppliers over the last 10 years which indicate that average Cryptosporidium levels are low. Our concern is supported by expert evidence provided to the Havelock North Inquiry which indicated that Cryptosporidium sampling should be targeted to rainfall events and that peak levels were significant rather than average levels. It seems that the approach taken by New Zealand over the last 10 years is not consistent with international best practice.

We are also concerned that this is a significant change to the standards and has been made without industry consultation. The Health Act (S69P) requires consultation if the changes are not minor.

The implications of requiring total coliform testing do not appear to have been fully considered. A total coliform result can be determined from the defined substrate E .coli test. One test produces two results. But the referee methods for E. coli and total coliform testing are different. This would seem to mean that for the total coliform test to be valid, it would have to be repeated using the MPN total coliform referee method.

Additionally it seems unreasonable to make these non-urgent changes part way through a compliance period, affecting how compliance monitoring is assessed and reported. The changes also are not aligned with Local Authority budget setting processes.

It is our view that had consultation drawn on the expertise within our industry, the above and a number of other smaller issues would not have arisen. We have requested that the date of implementation for the revised standards be delayed so that further consultation with the industry can be undertaken. We have asked for an opportunity to discuss these matters with the Director General and will keep you informed of the outcome.

Contact Jim Graham, Environmental Scientist, Principal Advisor Water Quality.

Council should have told community about massive raw sewage spill at Taranaki stream, mayor says

When 1.5 million litres of raw sewage was spilled into a Taranaki stream the community should have been told, and in future it will be, New Plymouth's mayor says.

The spill occurred overnight Monday January 21, when sewage overflowed from Bell Block's pumping station and into the Mangati Stream.

The morning after the spill the New Plymouth District Council sent a staff member to the site to let people know what had happened, updated the signage at the site, alerted iwi, Taranaki Regional Council and interest groups, and added warnings on the council website in the "Can I swim" and "Wastewater Overflows" sections.

However no public statement was made about the massive spill until a media query were made a week later. Read more

Solving NZ's freshwater headache: 'We have waited far too long'

Freshwater ecologist Dr Mike Joy isn't known for holding back when it comes to the state of our lakes and rivers. He shares his views with Jamie Morton on the current state of play, along with some of the themes of his just-published book: From Mountains to Sea: Solving New Zealand's Freshwater Crisis.

How would you describe the big picture of freshwater quality in New Zealand today? Any differently than you would have, say, five years ago?

Water quality continues to worsen, and this is not surprising as we keep adding cows and "developing" more land. Read more

The public relations war over freshwater has re-started

Stuff correspondent Charlie Mitchell delves into the strategy behind DairyNZ's The vision is clear campaign which the organisation describes as a "movement... to encourage and inspire every New Zealander to think about their personal impact on our country's water quality." See more

Massive water infrastructure reform 2019: who will pay?

With fundamental reform of the country's wastewater, drinking and stormwater on the way, who will pay the billions of dollars in much-needed infrastructure upgrades? These are questions that are being debated right now as public consultation between key players takes place on what is a highly sensitive issue. Listen to the discussions on RNZ with Infrastructure NZ CEO Stephen Selwood, NZ Planning Institute Chair Karyn Sinclair and the Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta. Click here to listen to the Radio New Zealand Interview

Non-Financial Performance Measure Rules Feedback Provided to DIA

On behalf of the Water Services Managers Group Water New Zealand has submitted feedback on requested changes to the Non-Financial Performance Measure Rules to the Department of Internal Affairs. The suggestions can be viewed here.

The department has undertaken to update guidance related to the Rules and will consider this feedback where it is relevant. Changes to the rules themselves need to be included in the departments future work plan and this is under consideration.

10th Edition (Nov 2018) WorkSafe "WES Book" published on-line

New 10th Edition of WES Book

Please note that WorkSafe New Zealand’s 10th Edition of the Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices Special Guide was published in November 2018, and has been available on line since that time. The published Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) in the 10th Edition have been in place since the date of publication.

Changes to Exposure Standards

The majority of the recommended values that were proposed in the individual proposal documents were adopted, however some values do differ from those recommended in the proposal documents that were made available on-line to stakeholders during the consultation phase.

(Three substances that were under review in 2018 remain under review - these are nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and synthetic mineral fibre (SMF).)

The main changes in the 10th Edition are signalled in the Preface, which is reproduced below for your information:

2019 Consultation

Please also note that WorkSafe will commence a period of consultation for a further 35 substances in 2019. The probable commencement date will be some time in March 2019. Those (and others) who have received this email will be advised at the time of commencement.

Levels of harmful algae in Canterbury rivers worsening

Longer, hotter summers are creating more instances of potentially toxic algae in Canterbury rivers, authorities say. Read more

Estuary under threat: The photo that sums up Napier's penchant for dumping

There's no point investing $20.6 million into stormwater upgrades to prevent pollution in Ahuriri Estuary unless Napier residents change their dumping behavior, the council says.

The Napier City Council's environmental team recently photographed a part of the stormwater system on Munroe St filled with bottles, cans and foam peanuts used in packaging. Read more

Wetlands act as NZ's "kidneys"

Key to improving water quality is increasing NZ's wetlands - after 90 per cent were drained.

'Drain the swamp' might be a popular rallying cry for a certain politician, but New Zealand's farmers are being urged to do the opposite. Read more

QLDC fined $24,000 for sewage discharge into lake

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has been hit with a $24,000 fine for discharging sewage and polluting Lake Wakatipu.

Council contractor Veolia became aware that a developer had allegedly illegally connected to the QLDC's wastewater network in March 2017. See more

Wastewater Renewals Framework - Gravity Pipelines

One key output from the Pipe Renewals programme is the Wastewater Renewals Framework – Gravity Pipelines guidance document. This has recently been published and is available from the Quake Centre’s resource portal or Water New Zealand. This guidance has been developed by Philip McFarlane from WSP-Opus with input from a wide range of industry players.

The Renewals Framework developed in this document provides a structured process that organisations can use to plan renewals. The Framework shows how organisations can use existing data in a meaningful way. Importantly, the Framework can be scaled and modified to suit the needs of an organisations.

The Renewals Framework draws on processes and information described in the International Infrastructure Management Manual, New Zealand Asset Metadata Standards (NZAMS) and the University of Canterbury Pipeline Renewal Programme. While this document is closely aligned to the NZAMS, the advice provided can be applied independent of the NZAMS.

View the document here.

Marton's water woes fixed by weekend - Council

Rangitikei District Council is confident an issue at the Marton Water Treatment Plant has been corrected and that water will be running clear in time for the weekend.

CEO Ross McNeil says a process error at the plant earlier in the week resulted in discoloured water. See more

Water quality still dropping and tourists aware - scientist

A freshwater scientist says New Zealand is losing the battle when it comes to water quality. Land, Air, Water Aotearoa collates water data from the councils around the country as part of a swimming spot check project across 700 sites and has found 97 unsuitable for swimming. See more

Safe as houses? The biggest risk to your greatest asset

Will councils will be dominated by climate-change issues in 30 years, rather than worrying about water quality in rivers and lakes? Go here to read North and South feature.

Drinking Water Safety Plans update

A drinking-water safety plan is essential to the good management of a drinking-water supply. The Health Act 1956 requires certain drinking-water suppliers to have and implement a “water safety plan”. Whilst the Act describes the statutory requirements for a drinking-water safety plan and incorporates the principles of public health risk management in those requirements, new guidance around planning drinking-water safety and managing health risks will align drinking-water safety plans more closely with international best practice.

The Ministry of Health’s Drinking-Water Safety Plan Framework (WSP Framework) outlines what the Ministry of Health expects drinking-water suppliers to include in their water safety plans. This framework is intended to be used in conjunction with the Health Act 1956, Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand, Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality Management for New Zealand and drinking-water safety plan guides.

The Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water. 2017. Report of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry: Stage 2 (Stage 2 Report) made a number of recommendations in relation to drinking-water safety planning.The Ministry of Health commissioned drinking-water experts in the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, supported by Dr Heather Uwins-England (former Director, Water Supply Regulation, Office of the Water Supply Regulator Queensland) to review and revise the Ministry’s WSP Framework and supporting guides and templates.

The revision of the WSP Framework has been completed and has been published on the Ministry’s website at: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/new-zealand-drinking-water-safety-plan-framework

Work on revising the drinking-water safety plan guides (and templates) is continuing and will be incorporated into a Drinking-Water Safety Plan Handbook that is intended to be published before the end of March 2019.

Positive response to Tauranga wipes campaign

Tauranga City Council says the response to the “Save our Pipes from Wipes” campaign following its launch on 15 October has been extremely encouraging..

To date, more than 113,000 Facebook users have been reached while the video has been viewed more than 143,000 times.

Operational & Business Services Team Leader, Cathy Davidson says social media comments clearly support the messages.

She says typically the comments are asking us to ‘ban the sale of wet wipes’, and to ‘stop selling them’.

“Responders are also seeking clarification around the messaging that is on packaging, especially when products are being clearly marketed as ‘flushable’. Another theme is the question around ‘what are we going to do to fix this problem’, and ‘have we spoken with the manufacturers’.

“Following the video release, further postings have gone live on social media.These have been designed to expand on the information in the video. Messages in these postings have been focused on the composition of the wipes (i.e. plastic) and have highlighted that this is a worldwide problem, not just our city’s. These posts have been reaching in excess of 30,000 people at a time.

“A recent wastewater overflow in a clearly defined community area saw us trial a narrow social media post for this particular community. The post stated the day and time the blockage occurred and that it came from their area. This reached over 3,000 people and provoked some good discussion with community members.”

It can take time to shift the behaviour of a community. But Cathy Davidson is confident the benefits will be both tangible and intangible.

“At the end of the day, this is about protecting our environment from waste water overflows. In terms of measuring our tangible benefits, it is a bit too early to tell. We are continuing to monitor waste water blockages, overflows and also the volume of screenings that are going to landfill. Over the next few months we will be in a better position to report against those outputs.”

The Tauranga City Council has offered to share their campaign concepts with other councils and Western Bay of Plenty District Council has just gone live with their campaign. Any councils who are interested can contact Cathy at Tauranga City Council or Glenn Dougal of WAVE Creative email gd@waveagency.co.nz

Meanwhile Water New Zealand has been working with our Australian counterparts on the development of joint Australian-New Zealand Flushability Standards that will help enforce correct labelling on wipes. This follows the recent publication of new international flushability specifications (PAS 3) http://iwsfg.org/iwsfg-flushability-specification/.

New Zealand’s representatives on the standards group are Noel Roberts from Water New Zealand and Wally Potts from Tauranga City Council.

We have also been corresponding with key Government Ministers and officials about the situation.

Minister of Health Makes Urgent and Minor Changes to the Drinking-Water Standards

As you will know, on 20 November 2018, Hon Dr David Clark, Minister of Health, announced that he "is making changes to Drinking Water Standards which help keep New Zealanders safe from waterborne illness."

The Minister of Health has now issued the Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2018) to supersede the Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2008).A Notice has been published this afternoon in the Gazette and can be found at https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2018-go6440.

The Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand provide requirements for drinking-water safety by specifying the maximum amounts of substances or organisms or contaminants or residues that may be present in drinking-water, criteria for demonstrating compliance with the Standards and remedial action to be taken in the event of non-compliance with the different aspects of the standards.

The Standards now require routine monitoring of total coliforms; and enumeration testing for E.coli and total coliforms.

During consultation with affected laboratories, some laboratory operators noted that presence/absence testing is required as part of food safety requirements, and action is taken on a positive presence result (so enumeration is not required). We have talked to officials at the Ministry of Primary Industries and they advise that they will provide advice to food industry members so these laboratories can continue to use presence/absence testing for food safety reasons. Some other laboratories raised concerns about the time required to achieve accreditation for enumeration, noting there may be a break in services while the laboratory gains accreditation. We have informed IANZ of the proposed change to the Standards so they are aware some laboratories may be urgently seeking accreditation. We have also been informed that IDEXX Laboratories are actively working with some laboratories to assist them set up the new methods.

In addition, there are a number of minor changes to the Standards to clarify or correct text within the Standards, to simplify compliance procedures, or to move guidance material from the (mandatory) Standards to (voluntary) Guidelines.

The Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2018) supersede the Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2008) and come into force on 1 March 2019. A copy of the Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2018) is displayed on the website of the Ministry of Health at
https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/drinking-water-standards-new-zealand-2005-revised-2018

Copies may be viewed free of charge at the library of the Ministry of Health at 133 Molesworth Street Wellington, or on application to a drinking-water assessor at any District Health Board public health unit in New Zealand.

As the Minister also noted in his media statement on 20 November 2018 “A comprehensive review of the Standards is also being carried out, led by an independent Drinking-Water Advisory Committee. I expect proposed changes from this review to be released for public consultation by mid-2019.”

View the summary of changes document here.

Health threat posed by Canterbury rivers - Fish and Game NZ

Scientific testing of popular Canterbury fishing and swimming rivers has produced disturbing findings, including the presence of dangerous disease-causing bacteria and antibiotic resistant E. coli.

Fish and Game commissioned the independent testing after anglers raised concerns about the potential risk of infection they were running due to river pollution and the increasing number of dairy cows in Canterbury.

The tests samples were collected from the Ashley, Selwyn and Rangitata rivers in May and September and tested by Massey University’s Institute of Agriculture and Environment.

The findings show the presence of E. coli, antibiotic resistant E. coli and a dangerous strain of bacteria called shiga toxin-producing E. coli or STEC. Read more

Millions needed to fix wastewater issues in Horizons region, says council report

A new report puts the cost of getting regional wastewater treatment up to national standards at between $330 million and $500m, says Horizons Regional Council strategy and regulation manager Dr Nic Peet.

The report is by environmental consultancy Boffa Miskell for the Department of Internal Affairs. It covers all of New Zealand and says small towns will be disproportionately affected - towns in the Horizons and Waikato regions especially so.

There are 46 wastewater treatment plants in the Horizons region. In June this year only 34 per cent were fully compliant, and 22 plants were significantly non-compliant. Read more

Publication of OAG report Managing stormwater systems to reduce the risk of flooding

OAG published their report Managing stormwater systems to reduce the risk of flooding. You can read the report and the two-page summary on our website: https://oag.govt.nz/2018/stormwater.

US water scientist shocked by NZ's poor water quality

A visiting water scientist from the United States Department of Agriculture has been surprised by the poor quality of New Zealand's fresh water. Mark Borchardt is a research microbiologist whose work has been used to improve water quality and protect the health of millions of Americans from waterborne disease. He has been in the country working with scientists and says there are a lot of similarities with his home state of Wisconsin in the level of water contamination related to agriculture. He told Kate Gudsell for the first-time in his lifetime it was an election issue in last month's midterms, and partly what drove the switch to a Democratic governor. See more

NZ Consumer Report: Bottled water vs Tap water

Kiwi Blue Still Spring Water “emerges so pure it is crystal clear”, SpringFresh’s “natural artesian water begins its life as rainfall on the Southern Alps”, and Countdown New Zealand Spring Water is “sourced from pristine springs across New Zealand”.

You’d be forgiven for thinking bottled water marketers all come from the same well, with 19 of the 22 bottles in our test having the words “pure”, “natural” or “pristine” splashed on the label.

Bottled water shows just how powerful marketing can be, according to Professor Janet Hoek, from the University of Otago’s departments of public health and marketing. Read full article

Draft Water New Zealand Submission on Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill

Please find attached a draft submission from Water New Zealand on the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill. Please send any feedback to CEO John Pfahlert, ceo@waternz.org.nz, by Wednesday, 18 December.

Local Government Funding and Financing

Members may be aware that the Productivity Commission has issued an issues papers on Local Government Funding and Financing, seeking comment by 15 February. Given that water infrastructure occupies about 1/3rd of all local authority spending we propose to make a submission to the Inquiry. We attach a link to the Issues paper. If anyone would like to contribute ideas to the office in advance of us preparing the submission these will be accepted up to Friday, 21 December. I hope to distribute a draft submission for industry comment by late January. Contact ceo@waternz.org.nz if you’d like to discuss this issue.

Iain Rabbitts: Improving our municipal water supplies is taking too long

COMMENT:

It was with mixed feelings that I read Health Minister David Clark's announcement about improving drinking water testing. It's pleasing that the serious public health issues caused by the Havelock North contamination event are being taken seriously, but I wonder why, after 5500 people got sick and four died, it has taken over two years to make any progress.

Improved testing, important for compliance, is a step in the right direction, but consumers should be aware this does not improve the quality of water supplies, it just alerts us they have failed. There is no change in the risk to public health around the country.

Those suppliers that are currently complying with the drinking water standards will continue to comply and those that don't still won't. There may be a few suppliers on the edge of compliance whose status will improve, but it is unlikely any improvement in testing will make a real difference to the level of public health risk from drinking water. Read the full article by Iain Rabbitts - Water New Zealand Board member

Nanaia Mahuta: Overhauling water regulation

Safe, clean water is a birthright of every New Zealander.

Wherever they live Kiwi ratepayers and communities expect to be able to turn on the tap and drink the water without fear of getting sick.

They also want to be able to swim in our rivers and lakes, and enjoy beaches free from the worry of raw sewage seeping into the ocean.

Our interconnected three waters system faces critical funding and capability challenges in delivering this. With pressures such as ageing infrastructure, population changes, increased tourism numbers and the need to build in resilience against climate change and natural events, the situation will get much worse if we do not address it. Read more

Water crisis looming for Central Hawke's Bay

Alarming new data on groundwater in Central Hawke's Bay shows the levels are the lowest ever recorded in November.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council's principal hydrologist, Jeff Smith, said a reading from the settlement of Ongaonga, taken about 4m below ground, showed extremely low levels normally seen only in January.

Ongaonga farmer Alistair Setter said he was seeing unprecedented water issues in the district.

"Springs and waterways are going dry that have never been known to go dry," Setter said.
He said part of the Waipawa River bed had gone dry in mid-October, when it normally dried out near Christmas. Read more

One last Irrigation NZ Scholarship available - bucket testing

The irrigation industry in New Zealand has experienced significant growth over the past twenty years and has been responsible for the development of some of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects. Irrigation makes an important contribution to New Zealand’s economy.

This scholarship will provide applicants with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of agriculture, one of New Zealand’s largest employers, and build awareness of the irrigation industry as an exciting career option.

This summer project will involve carrying out bucket testing on various irrigation systems types, and surveying farmers. Successful applicants will gain valuable job experience, networking opportunities, and add to their skillset and employment track-record

Find out more here.

Tread lightly: Understanding water footprints

Remember Winston Peters' $18 cabbages?

The dire prediction about the impact of Labour's pre-election water tax proposals must have involved a guesstimate of how much water it takes to grow a cabbage – albeit a vastly wrong one.

As competition for water intensifies around the world, the idea of water footprints is gaining currency as a way to compare the water efficiency of different foods. You've probably heard that it takes 1000 litres of water to produce a litre of milk, and rumblings and grumblings about the 16,000l needed to produce a kilogram of almonds. Read more

Hastings council welcomes Government’s Three Waters review

The Government’s Three Waters Review is being welcomed by the Hastings District Council, which is well on its way to achieving many of the review’s aims already.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta led the multi-agency review that investigated the state and performance of New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems.

The review was established by the Government following the Havelock North water inquiry to look at the challenges facing the three waters system and how to make improvements.

Among the major outcomes sought were safe, acceptable and reliable drinking water, better environmental performance of water services, and efficient, sustainable and resilient water services – at an affordable cost for communities. Read more

Govt proposal to overhaul three waters regulation

The status quo is not sustainable. This is the message from the Government as it releases its cabinet papers Future state of the three waters system: regulation and service deliveryand Local governance for community well-being. See the news item on TVNZ.

Right time to discuss purpose and role of local government

20 November 2018“

Long overdue reform of the water sector has created the opportunity for a first principles discussion of what local government can and should do and with what resources, so it is very pleasing to see the Government kick-starting this process,” says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Stephen Selwood.

“Operating infrastructure networks is a technical activity demanding flexible use of capital and strong asset management capability. When networks cut across political, environmental or regulatory boundaries challenges are compounded. This is not the comparative strength of local government.

“Under the current model we have allowed council financing constraints to undermine investment in clean water, political constraints to underfund growth services and technical constraints to under-deliver capital work programmes.

“This is not a good outcome and the Government’s announcement that it will start the conversation with councils about what local government is really for should be fully endorsed across the political spectrum.

“We need local government representing the needs and views of people and communities, something larger government bodies and corporations cannot do, and we need regional government to lead economic development and spatial planning.

“Councils need the right tools which incentivise and enable them to act in the best interests of constituents, regions and wider New Zealand.

“With Minister Parker’s recent announcement that discussion of planning statutes will begin in 2019, now is just the time to consider all functions of local government – city and regional planning, regulation, infrastructure and community needs.

“What everyone can agree on is that we need local government. This conversation provides the opportunity to repurpose its role to improving community wellbeing and focusing on people rather than operating pipes in the ground,” Selwood says.

Public could have a say in bottling firm's bid to use deep bore

The public could have their say on whether bottling firm Cloud Ocean Water can extract water from a deep bore at its plant in north Christchurch. See more

Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert system

A Nationwide Test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system will take place on Sunday 25 November between 6pm and 7pm.

Annual tests will help ensure the system is working effectively, while helping to familiarise the public with what to expect. This is just a test, but when emergencies happen Emergency Mobile Alert will be a vital channel to help keep our communities safe.

The system was launched last year and has been well received with approximately three in four New Zealanders expressing confidence in the system.

The 2017 Nationwide Test reached 34% of New Zealanders’ phones. We estimate half of phones will now receive Emergency Mobile Alert as there are now more capable phones being used.

Not all phones are capable of receiving the alerts, so we need people to look after others. We’re encouraging people to tell their neighbours, whanau and colleagues if they receive an alert.

We’re also reminding people that Emergency Mobile Alert is an additional channel to help keep New Zealand safe. In an emergency, it will not replace other alerting systems, information channels, or the need to take action after natural warnings.

A nationwide multi-media campaign started on Sunday to let people know about the test and where to find out more information. Key messages, marketing and publicity materials have been provided to CDEM Groups and Partner agencies. Further information and frequently asked questions about Emergency Mobile Alert are available at www.civildefence.govt.nz/emergency-mobile-alert .

Have your say on the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill

Following the Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water, Cabinet has agreed to a range of measures to address the Inquiry’s recommendations, including some technical amendments to Part 2A of the Health Act.

The most significant effect of the bill would be to remove specific timeframes for consultation and reduce the minimum notice period for a change to drinking water standards. This would allow for changes to be developed and implemented in a responsive manner. See more on this.

Major infrastructure partnership for North Auckland

Minister of Housing and Urban Development Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff today announced a partnership that will fund $91 million of roading and wastewater infrastructure to support the building of 9000 homes at Wainui, north of Auckland.

The Government Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been created in partnership with Auckland Council, Crown Infrastructure Partners and Fulton Hogan Land Development. Go here to see more

Mike Joy - Solving NZ's freshwater crisis

It's an important and contentious question: how do we preserve New Zealand's fresh water reserves, and maintain our beautiful environment, while also keeping up a functional economy?

And what ethical and cultural considerations does that throw up?

It's a question a bunch of academics and scientists have had a shot at answering in a new BWB book, From Mountains to Sea: Solving New Zealand's Freshwater Crisis.  Go here to listen to Mike Joy on RNZ.

Local government funding and financing issues paper released

The Productivity Commission has just published an issues paper for its inquiry into local government funding and financing.

The paper asks questions about current pressure points and ways that councils can manage cost pressures. Go here to see the paper and details about how to make a submission.

The closing date for submissions is 15 February 2019 and the final report to the Government is due on 30 November 2019.

MfE report - Looking after water in towns and cities

Click here to find information on a set of urban water principles which are designed to improve our stewardship of urban water. They have been developed and recommended by the independent Urban Water Working Group.

The Final Meltdown

Read the latest NZ Geographic, which features a new article by Kennedy Warne, The Final Meltdown.

Retreating glaciers and thinning snow and ice are the future of New Zealand’s mountains. Climate change is predicted to warm the country’s atmosphere by 1–4°C by the end of the century, altering the natural water cycle—how much is frozen as snow, how much falls as rain, and how much flows in rivers. Climate researchers are seeking to predict what will change, and when. What will be the impact on hydroelectric power stations and irrigation schemes? Which areas will be hit hardest by flooding, or increasingly severe drought? The Deep South National Science Challenge is taking a lead role in helping decision-makers plan for the coming century.

Tauranga Mayor calls for restrictions on so-called 'flushable' wet wipes

Every week, more than two tonnes of wipes are removed from the Tauranga's waste water system, and the mayor has now called on the Government to stop wet wipe manufacturers claiming the products are 'flushable'.

"We would like the Government to stop use of the word 'flushable' on wet wipes for advertising, and preferably we would prefer people not flush anything down the loo other than pee, poo and paper," Greg Brownless told The AM Show.  Read more and see Interview

National Disaster Resilience Strategy

The New Zealand Governments draft National Disaster Resilience Strategy is now available for public consultation. View the document here.  

HRV fined $440k over false water filter claims

HRV Clean Water, owned by Vector, has been fined $440,000 after pleading guilty to making unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of its water filters and also for making misleading claims about the quality of New Zealand's home water supply.

The fine was issued by Judge John Macdonald in the Auckland District Court on 19 October for claims made in promotional material between 2 July 2014 and 12 October 2017.

The unsubstantiated claims related to the ability of a magnetic 'ioniser' in its water filter systems to soften water, which would in turn help to relieve drinkers of skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis.

The claims made included statements such as "reduces skin irritations, dermatitis and eczema" and "removes existing lime scale and extends the life of your appliances."

Melbourne Water launch Innovation Competition

Please find below details of the launch of Melbourne Water's Innovation Competition to fight climate change!

Melbourne Water in Victoria, Australia are looking for innovative ways to reduce or eliminate Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions (methane and nitrous oxide) from their wastewater treatment plants. This competition provides the opportunity to submit ideas to Melbourne Water to reduce emissions and winners will share in a pool of up to $200,000 (AUD), allowing them to take the next steps in bringing their ideas to life.

Find out more here or go the Melbourne Water website to find the competition brief and more details on the background, solution areas, competition process and key dates.

https://www.melbournewater.com.au/innovation-competition

This competition opens on 22 October 2018 and more information will be provided at the link above. The deadline for submissions is at 5pm on 3 December 2018 (AEDT).

For more information about the application process and to register your interest please email innovationcontest@melbournewater.com.au or feel free to contact Melbourne Water.

Infrastructure New Zealand's draft submission for the infrastructure body consultation

Infrastructure New Zealand have drafted a submission for the infrastructure body consultation which closes on the 26th

Contact Hamish Glenn if you’ve got any questions.

View the Water New Zealand submission here.  

Ministry of Health revised criteria for appointing drinking-water assessors

You may recall that the the Havelock North Inquiry recommended that the Ministry should take all necessary steps to boost drinking-water assessor numbers and resources, and that the prerequisite Health Protection Officer requirement to be a drinking-water assessor should be removed. 

The Health Act 1956

provides for the Director-General of Health to appoint one or more persons or agencies as drinking-water assessors on any terms and conditions that the Director-General considers appropriate (including, without limitation, terms enabling the Director-General to suspend or revoke the appointment in any specified circumstances). 

The Director-General of Health has determined that the following requirements will satisfy him that a person has the experience, technical competence and qualifications to undertake the functions of a drinking-water assessor:

  • at least two years relevant experience in a public health unit or a drinking-water supplier or equivalent;
  • a relevant technical qualification in drinking water;
  • at least six months training and mentoring by a drinking-water assessor (or equivalent); during which core behaviours and competencies have been demonstrated including an understanding of the public health risks caused by unsafe or inadequate drinking-water supplies;
  • satisfactorily completed the Ministry of Health’s drinking-water foundation training course.


The person must also be accredited to internationally accepted standards for inspection bodies and have in place effective arrangements to avoid or manage any conflicts of interest that may arise.

Appointments of drinking-water assessors will then be subject to the following conditions:

  • completing the NZOQ Lead Auditor training within two years of appointment (newly appointed drinking-water assessors);
  • attending a drinking water training course at least every three years (all drinking-water assessors).

Relevant technical qualifications: examples of relevant technical qualifications in drinking-water are:

  • Diploma in Drinking Water (Drinking-Water Assessment);
  • Diploma in Drinking Water (Water Treatment);
  • Papers 29995, 24906, 29966, 24897, 18456, 18459, 24907, 24912 from any Diploma in Drinking Water (or equivalent from overseas training organisations)
  • Degree in Public Health Engineering
  • Degree in Civil Engineering

Core behaviours and competencies: the Ministry will provide more guidance to prospective employers on the core behaviours and competencies for drinking-water assessors. For example, to be an effective assessor, a drinking-water assessor must be able to develop and maintain effective relationships appropriate between a regulator and the regulated industry including engaging with senior staff at local councils. 

Other DWA appointments: None of the prescribed criteria (current or proposed) prevent the appointment of any individual that the Director-General of Health considers capable of undertaking the role of a drinking-water assessor. This allows the Director-General to accept individuals who have worked in equivalent roles overseas irrespective of their qualifications. It also allows the Director-General to appoint individuals with a wider range of New Zealand qualifications if they possess equivalent work experience in related industries.

Please don't hesitate to contact Sally Gilbert if you have any queries. 

Drug tests on wastewater to be carried out across NZ

Police drug testing of wastewater will soon be be rolled out across the country.

Testing for methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, MDMA and fentanyl will be performed by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) at 38 sites from Kerikeri to Invercargill, covering 80 percent of New Zealand's population.  See more

Engineering New Zealand Rivers Group postgraduate student research support grants

The Engineering New Zealand Rivers Group is taking applications for postgraduate student research support grants up to $2500. The deadline is Nov 1 2018, details here:

https://riversgroup.org.nz/funding-opportunities/

Consultation document on a new independent infrastructure body


Minister’s foreword

After being sworn in as Infrastructure Minister, it became immediately clear that New Zealand is facing a major infrastructure deficit. But we have no detailed and definitive way of quantifying the scale of that deficit – which sectors will be hit the hardest and how we best go about dealing with our infrastructure challenges.

Getting on top of these issues is essential to our economic future, as well as our social and environmental wellbeing. I strongly believe we need to overhaul how we think about infrastructure and how we plan and deliver it.

I am not alone in this view.

This Government has heard from the market itself, as well as local government, about the need for greater visibility of New Zealand’s infrastructure needs. Only once everyone is on the same page about what our needs are can we start planning when and where investment should occur so the sector can organise itself to meet the demand.

As a country, we need to coordinate better, and we need to bring the public and private sector into the same room so we can make the most of the infrastructure we already have and ensure that our future investments deliver the right outcomes, in the right place, at the right time.

For these reasons, the Government is establishing a new independent infrastructure body next year to ensure better infrastructure planning. To help determine what the new entity should look like, and how it can best be mandated to tackle these issues, I encourage you to read the proposals outlined in this Treasury document and submit your views.

Hon Shane Jones Minister for Infrastructure

View the consultation document here. Find the submission form here. 

Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership – Postgraduate Student Grant

The Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (which is managed by the Association) just launched a postgraduate student travel grant for the Biosolids Conference in Brisbane next February.

The Travel Grants will be awarded to students whose work aligns with objectives of the ANZBP and which furthers the legacy of Paul Darvodelsky in progressing open and applied research knowledge for sustainable biosolids management. Applicants for the scholarships must be postgraduate research (Master or PhD) students enrolled in a biosolids related field at an Australian or New Zealand University and must be Australian or New Zealand domestic students. It is expected that scholarship recipients will usually be students enrolled full-time. Part-time students who wish to apply for the scholarship are asked to provide an extra statement as to their outside work status. Students in paid employment more than 20 hours per week are not eligible for this opportunity.

Here is the link to the application form: https://www.biosolids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Biosolids-National-Conference-2019_Scholarship-Application.pdf

Wellington Water bosses don't want a repeat of Havelock North incident

When E coli was recently found in Wellington's drinking water, authorities responded within hours.

In doing so, tens of thousand of people were potentially saved from illness.  See more

Public drinking-water fluoridation and the right to refuse medical treatment — the Supreme Court wades in

The fluoridation of public drinking-water supply has long been a topic of debate in Aotearoa. Although there is broad support for fluoridation from the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Dental Association, the practice has remained controversial, particularly in the context of our express recognition of the “right to refuse to undergo any medical treatment” in section 11 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act (NZBORA).

View the full document here.

MBIE draft report NZ approach to joint Australia- New Zealand Standards

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is currently undertaking a review of the funding of joint Australian/New Zealand standard developments costs. They have released a draft position paper. Attached is the draft report that they have prepared following interviews conducted with a broad range of stakeholders.

I would appreciate any comments that members would like to make on the draft report. Water NZ needs to respond to MBIE by close of business on 19 October. Once the report has been finalised to reflect the comments MBIE receive, MBIE will provide the report and our advice to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Low-emissions economy final report - online

Water New Zealand made a submission to the Productivity Commission on how New Zealand can transition to a low-emissions economy. This was appeared before the Commission and their official response is recorded on pages 497-501 of the report. View the updated from the Productivity Commission below. 

The Government asked the Productivity Commission to identify options for how New Zealand can reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions through a transition to a low-emissions economy, while at the same time continuing to grow incomes and wellbeing. Our final report to the Government makes 173 findings and 78 recommendations.

What did the inquiry find?

Numerous changes will be required across the economy – some disruptive, some less obvious. Three particular shifts must happen for New Zealand to achieve its low-emissions goals:

  1. We stop burning fossil fuels and switch to using electricity and other low-emission energy sources.
  2. We undertake substantial levels of afforestation to offset New Zealand’s remaining emissions.
  3. We make changes to the structure and methods of agricultural production.

What needs to be done now?

The Government needs to prioritise the following actions to achieve the above shifts:

  • Establish a comprehensive and durable climate change policy framework, including separate legislated long-term targets for short- and long-lived gases; a series of successive emissions budgets; and an independent Climate Change Commission;
  • Reform the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and apply some form of emissions pricing to methane from agriculture and waste;
  • Ensure supportive regulations and policies are in place, to address non-price barriers, and accelerate the transition; and
  • Devote significantly more resources to low-emissions innovation and technology.

If we act now we can set New Zealand on the path to achieve a low-emissions future.

OAG report "Managing the supply of and demand for drinking water" was presented to the House of Representatives

20 September 2018

The Auditor-General’s report Managing the supply of and demand for drinking water was presented to the House of Representatives today.

We audited three district councils (Horowhenua District Council, Kāpiti Coast District Council, and Manawatu District Council) and one city council (Palmerston North City Council) to understand the challenges they face in supplying drinking water to their communities. We looked at what these four councils are doing to influence demand for drinking water and whether they are taking an integrated approach, using financial and non-financial methods.

We found, for all four councils, that some things had been done well and that other aspects could be improved. All four councils recognise that issues such as climate change, increased demand, increased limits on access to water, increased regulation, or higher consumer expectations are likely to affect them. However, there is uncertainty about the pace of change.

In the absence of national outcomes for supplying drinking water that councils might be required to meet, principles that they should use for decision-making, or requirements that set out what a high standard of water supply management should look like, councils are responding to their particular challenges in ways that they consider prudent and responsible.

We understand that every council has its own priorities. In our view, councils that have a broad range of objectives for providing drinking water and a greater balance between supply and demand management tools are in a better position to respond to future challenges. This is because they have taken a more comprehensive approach to providing drinking water that puts emphasis on leak reduction and water conservation, even when access to water is not restricted.

A two-page summary and epub for this report are also available.

Q+A: David Parker on taxing bottled water

Parker was asked about this from the Labour-NZ First coalition agreement:

  • No resource rentals for water in this term of Parliament
  • Introduce a royalty on exports of bottled water.

Read/Watch full interview

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

Government eyes International water management models - RNZ

The control of water by a single entity in both Scotland and Ireland is being seen as an example of what could work in New Zealand.  See more

Is New Zealand's drinking water up to scratch? - Newshub

New Zealanders take fresh drinking water for granted - we assume we'll just turn on the tap and it will be fine.

But in reality 70 percent of people living in small towns of up to 500 people get water which doesn't meet drinking water standards.  See Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert on Newshub at the start of the Water New Zealand Conference. 

Dirty drinking water could 'destroy New Zealand's tourism industry - Newshub

An organisation that keeps an eye on the state of New Zealand's water says the quality of our drinking water is so bad in places, it could lead to mass death.

Water New Zealand says if we don't do something soon, we'll see another contamination like the Havelock North one - and that in turn could destroy our tourism industry.

More chlorination likely with water services set to be centralised - OneNews

The Government is set to strip councils of their power over water following Havelock North's 2016 gastro crisis which was a wake up call for the country.

Speaking to Water New Zealand's conference today, the Local Government Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, gave her strongest hint yet of change. 

River Accord community project applications open

The programme aims to assist non-profit organisations such as community groups, schools, catchment care groups and iwi/hapu with projects that will help increase engagement with Manawatū waterways and improve water quality in the catchment.

Manawatū River Leaders’ Forum Chair Richard Thompson says the standard of previous applications has been exceptional.

"I’m looking forward to more projects being supported in their efforts to engage communities while improving the Manawatū River and its tributaries," he says.  Read more

Govt not being 'ballsy and strong enough' on environment - Mike Joy

An ecologist who famously feuded with former Prime Minister Sir John Key has accused the current Government of not being "ballsy and strong enough" to restore the country's '100 percent pure' image.

Mike Joy of Victoria University's Institute for Governance and Policy Studies told The AM Show on Friday that, compared to when the tourism slogan debuted in 1999, we've had an 800 percent increase in the use of nitrate fertiliser, and 20 times the runoff in farming areas like Waikato and Canterbury. Read more and see interview

Te wiki o te reo Māori

Water New Zealand is proud to tautoko (support) Te wiki o te reo Māori (Māori language week) 10-16 Mahuru (September), 2018. This year’s theme is Kia Kaha (being strong) and focuses on how we can all make the Māori language strong in everything we do. What better way for our water industry to embrace this theme than to understand the importance of water and understand the words we can use to describe water from a Māori perspective?

Download this poster to pin up in your office or by your desk.

There are key water types with a description of what they mean and includes the importance of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) in providing us with precious waiora – life-sustaining water.

He wero - a challenge for you (have some fun with this)

  • Add some te reo Māori into your everyday work...
  • Greet each other with “Kia ora” (Hi/hello)…
  • Have a conversation about what you think when you hear the kupu (word) “wai” (water).
  • Try to use the Māori terms on the poster in place of English ones.

And we can all help with the kia kaha theme by strengthening our understanding of ‘wai’ in Aotearoa.

Water and its mauri (lifeforce) is a taonga, a treasured resource which we should preserve and protect to look after us and the many generations to follow.

"Ko au ko te awa, ko te awa ko au
I am the river, the river is me"

Water meters likely for all New Zealand households in the future, expert says

New Zealand may be blessed with a plentiful supply of fresh water, but our system for getting it to our taps leaves a lot to be desired.

In places like Wellington, our pipe system has a water leakage rate of roughly 15 to 20 per cent, Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert told TVNZ1's Breakfast today. Read more and see full interview

NZUAG News Issue 14 August 2018 now available

NZ Utilities Advisory Group are pleased to advise that Issue 14 of NZUAG News is now available for reading on the NZUAG website www.nzuag.org.nz/category/news/. This provides useful insights into recent activities, along with notification of upcoming events such as our AGM in November.

For further information on any of the matters contained in the newsletter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Regards
Colin Lewis

NZ Utilities Advisory Group Administrator
Mob. 027 242 6506

Huge costs loom for councils as sea levels rise

The preliminary findings from a Tonkin and Taylor report were released today, giving councils a clearer picture of the risks posed by climate change in their communities.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) said it was time to put scientific facts before the emotions of those affected.

Tonkin and Taylor's findings were presented at LGNZ's Climate Change Symposium on Wellington's waterfront - a suitable location as they discussed the incoming threat of sea level rise. Read more

Push to cut copper brakes from mainstream use over pollutants

This comes after copper was found to be contaminating waterways at a fifth of sites sampled around Christchurch.

University of Canterbury senior research fellow Dr Aisling O'Sullivan said copper was one of the most eco-toxic metals in New Zealand with devastating effects on freshwater wildlife.

Every time a vehicle brakes, small particles of copper are shaved off and end up being washed into groundwater and flowing into wastewater drains.  Read more

Updated document: GD06 On-site Wastewater Management in the Auckland Region

Update:
Thank you to all those who have provided initial feedback on GD06 – On-site Wastewater Management in the Auckland Region. We very much appreciate the effort put into the review of this draft. The deadline for feedback is October 12th, but we would much appreciate you sending through any major issues or questions prior to this date so we can address them fully.

Update of amended draft:
Based on feedback to-date, and some suggested changes, we have updated the document on the Auckland Design Manual website. Most changes are adjustments to cross references, corrections and clarifications.

The key changes we would like you to be aware of are:

  1. Section D: Wastewater treatment units –
    1. Adjustment to the text around Section D1.4.3 Septic tank sizing
    2. Restructuring of Section D1.5.5 – Types of system
  • i.Removal of trickling filter
  • ii.Removal of single pass packed bed filter
  • iii.Removal of multi pass packed bed filter
  • iv.Removal of diagrams for all “Alternative treatment systems”
  • v.Removal of diagrams for all “Alternative toilet systems”

2. Section G: Risk - Additional comment around the need to design for climate change

Please do not hesitate to contact our team if you have feedback. And thank you again for your support. Please forward this email to others who may have been unintentionally omitted from this email list.

National water monitoring system needs improvement, resources, health boss says

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey has urged against setting up a new independent regulator as part of the overhaul of the country's water delivery, saying the Ministry of Health can - and should - "up its game".

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel also called for caution in the Government's review of the so-called three waters infrastructure, saying there should be better understanding of the problems, risks and potential costs before ministers leap to a solution.

Their comments came during a workshop run by chlorination proponent and advocacy group Water New Zealand in which it outlined what it sees as the challenges and options for reform in the water sector.

Councils across the country could be stripped of responsibility for water provision under major new changes being discussed by the government in the wake of the Havelock North outbreak.  Read more

GroundsWell - Groundwater science in Aotearoa

We are very pleased to promote the first issue of GroundsWell - the newsletter that gives an update on groundwater science in New Zealand and the work of ESR, GNS Science, Lincoln Agritech and Aqualinc.

View the newsletter here

Calling all Young Water Professionals

The Water New Zealand 2018 Conference and Expo is just 3 weeks away so we thought we’d let you know that this year we’re going to do things a bit differently in the YWP session, being held at 11am on Wednesday 19 September.

Ten bright Young Water Professionals will be selected to each give a two-minute presentation. The prize for Best Presentation will be full admission to the Water New Zealand 2019 Conference sponsored by Water New Zealand. There will also be a wicked People’s Choice award up for grabs and you’ve got to be in to win!

Register your interest by emailing a 100-word summary about yourself and why you should be chosen to present (subject line: YWP 2018 – your name) to vicki.mcenaney@waternz.org.nz by 31 August. We will be in touch by 7 September to let you know.

And remember, there is a special YWP Member rate for conference - so register now and we'll see you there! (you must be a registered Water New Zealand YWP member to access this rate).

Te wiki o te reo Māori (Maori Language Week) starts 10 September

Help celebrate Te wiki o te reo Māori (10-16 September). Water New Zealand is proud to support Maori Language Week. We’ve prepared a poster for you to pin up in your office or by your desk that we hope will help in understanding the importance of water and the words we can use to describe water from a Māori perspective.

The poster shows us key water types with a description of what they mean and includes the importance of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) in providing us with precious waiora – life-sustaining water.

Go here to download the poster and please feel free to share it so we can all strengthen our understanding of ‘wai’ in Aotearoa.

Environment Canterbury orders China-based firm to stop water bottling after it breached consent

A controversial water bottling operation in Christchurch has been ordered to stop its activities after being caught illegally taking water from beneath the city.

Cloud Ocean Water Ltd was granted consent in December to extract around 1.5 billion litres a year at a plant in Belfast, which it intends to sell abroad.

See more

Safe, clean, and affordable water – from the source to the tap and back again - Hon Nanaia Mahuta

Our three waters system faces significant funding challenges and the status quo is not an option - Local Government Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta speech to Infrastructure NZ 2018 Building Nations conference.

See more 

Why New Zealand’s approach to water management must change

By David Walker

In mid‐August, members of GHD’s specialist water sector team contributed to New Zealand’s 2018 Building Nations conference. Hosted by Infrastructure NZ, this annual event sees key players in local infrastructure development come together to discuss challenges and opportunities for the sector.

One of the pressing issues on the 2018 conference agenda was New Zealand’s approach to water management. David Walker, GHD’s Market Leader – Advisory in New Zealand was called on to take part in the panel discussion about water sector reform. The following is his assessment of the sector’s current state and what is needed to transform it.

This year, with the Havelock North water contamination crisis still fresh in many people’s minds, it seems New Zealand is on the cusp of a watershed moment.

Globally, we are well known for our relatively unspoiled natural environment and it is widely assumed that New Zealanders enjoy unrestricted access to pristine natural resources – especially water.

In 2016, the contamination of Havelock North’s drinking water supply resulted in more than 5,000 people falling ill with gastroenteritis. In addition to an unprecedented level of sickness in the community and impact on the local economy, the crisis also contributed to three avoidable deaths. In a first world country such as New Zealand, an event of this magnitude is unacceptable. When it comes to water quality, there is clearly a disconnect between the ideal and the reality that needs to be addressed.

At this year’s Building Nations conference, the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, Minister for Māori Development and Local Government said she believes we have taken our water supply for granted for too long and, with one serious crisis situation behind us, it is now time to act. The Minister was clear that the current review by the Government has sensibly been widened to include stormwater and wastewater as part of their Three Waters review.

In my view, with the varied local capability (highlighted by recent work undertaken by the Minister’s officials) posing a risk to water quality and the impacts of climate change looming, water sector reform can’t come soon enough.

The Government’s appetite for change – evident in the Minister’s address, as well as in the proposed Local Government (Community Well‐Being) Amendment Bill – is very encouraging. However, if the sector is to undergo a successful transformation, there are significant challenges to be addressed – namely the regulatory environment and the service delivery model.

The case for improving water sector regulation

This October the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), which has been charged with reviewing New Zealand’s current approach to water management, will present the Government with a report that outlines options for water sector reform.

With the existing decentralised and disaggregated regulatory model overseeing the 67 local water delivery providers in regions around the country, centralisation of regulation is likely to be the DIA’s core focus. By consolidating water oversight, there will undoubtedly be a number of benefits – not least the opportunity to ensure closer regulation and tighter compliance with standards necessary for high quality water provision.

Internationally, experience has shown that in nations where water management and regulation is de‐centralised, there is significant non‐compliance with regulations governing the quality of drinking water and wastewater discharge.

In tightening up the regulatory environment, the Government will be able to move the industry towards a more closely monitored state where quality and certainty of supply are tracked and measured in a way similar to the electricity sector.

Getting the service delivery model right

With 67 separate water providers for a population of just 4.7 million people, it is inevitable that there are significant efficiencies to be gained from some consolidation of the delivery model. These providers also generally manage wastewater and stormwater services for their communities and a key question being considered by the Government is how all three waters will be managed. Adding complexity, stormwater management is intrinsically linked to climate change and will be considered by the Climate Change Commission.

As well as maximising the opportunity for every region in New Zealand to deliver water of a consistently high standard, a consolidated model would also enable greater capacity and capability to deliver necessary infrastructure upgrades in parts of the country that are currently unable to fund this themselves.

Internationally, many nations are moving towards consolidated management of water infrastructure and the evidence from a number of studies shows that this ensures the best outcomes for consumers. In Scotland, the migration to a single entity charged with asset management – Scottish Water – has proven highly successful and this approach is now considered to be best practice.

However, although international experience has shown that efficiencies that come through consolidation are able to stretch the funding dollar, this of itself is unlikely to be a panacea for all circumstances.

A prime example is the town of Punakaiki, on the South Island’s West Coast. Currently, its population of less than 100 is struggling with the funding of drinking water, public toilets and associated wastewater treatment services for both the community and the half a million tourists that visit each year.

Other considerations

Centralising and consolidating New Zealand’s water regulation and delivery model will go a long way to improving both certainty and quality of supply, however additional investment is likely to be needed at a central Government level. Studies recently commissioned by the DIA on drinking water and wastewater treatment indicate there is a significant backlog of infrastructure upgrades to be processed, and it is imperative that the Government consider how this work is funded as part of the wider improvement programme.

Managing the change process across New Zealand’s regions will also be a significant requirement. With the majority of local water supplies overseen by Local Government, any consolidation of service delivery will result in a major impact on the structure of Councils, particularly the smaller districts. To achieve a successful transformation, there needs to be buy‐in and this requires a compelling story for why change is needed – how communities can benefit and how the country as a whole can become a better place to live.

The good news is that, in addition to international examples of successful consolidation, New Zealand already has a local success story to draw upon. Since Watercare took charge of all of Auckland’s water supply in 2010, outlying districts such as Rodney and Franklin have seen half a billion dollars’ worth of investment committed in water infrastructure – investment that simply would not have been afforded by ongoing reliance on localised ratepayer funding and management.

In summary, it is clear that the status quo is not sustainable and has to change. What will ultimately impact the success of any long‐term strategy is how any proposed change to regulation and service delivery are executed and managed.

It is only by addressing these two core elements together that New Zealand will ultimately achieve a robust water management system that guarantees future generations can treat high quality drinking water as a given.

About David Walker

David is GHD’s Market Leader – Advisory in New Zealand. He has extensive water industry experience, including leading restructuring and transformational change. As a commercial advisor at PwC, David was Project Director for the development of the Watercare Services Limited integration plan in 2008/2009. In 2013/2014, he assisted PwC Ireland in their role as advisor to the establishment of Irish Water, a single utility established to provide water and sewerage services to the whole country. In his role at GHD, he is continuing to provide sector leadership and advice.

Super-regions or a special tax - how the Government plans to fix New Zealand's broken water systems

Fixing New Zealand's water infrastructure will cost billions of dollars. Could new super-regions or even a special tax be the answer? Dominic Harris speaks to those charged with finding a solution.

The image of a wastewater pipe spewing filthy green water onto a West Coast beach this winter was a sight that would have turned the stomachs of many Kiwis.

At times tinged red with animal blood from local meatworks, the water poured freely onto the sand and stone foreshore, carrying with it everything from condoms to wipes.

The stench left residents prisoners in their own homes and caused a political stink in the Westland district town of Hokitika.  Read more

Engineering a Better New Zealand

Water is one of the key issues addressed in a thought leadership report just released by Engineering New Zealand which looks at issues facing the wellbeing of New Zealanders. Along with water, the report titled Engineering a Better New Zealand also identifies climate change and seismic resilience as the key issues that need our collective dedication and focus to ensure a brighter future for all.

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert welcomes the report’s findings saying the recommendations for ensuring safe drinking water and management supports the approach taken by Water New Zealand.

Go here for the report.

Two years on from contamination - Hastings DC says safe water top priority

Two years on from the unprecedented Havelock North water contamination event the Hastings District Council has taken on board the learnings from the Government water inquiry and made the delivery of safe water a top priority.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says it’s an important time to reflect on and acknowledge what happened, and to also acknowledge the enormous amount of progress that has been made in the last two years. 

Go here for more information

Dealing to the infrastructure deficit - Chapman Tripp

A new report says decades of under-investment by both central and local government, exacerbated by strong and increasingly uneven population growth, have exposed deficiencies in our infrastructure and in our tools for responding to growth.

http://www.chapmantripp.com/news/dealing-to-the-infrastructure-deficit

Controversial sewage pond work gets extension

The long-awaited upgrade of a tiny West Coast town’s damaged sewage treatment ponds has a time extension – but the district council’s still being investigated for possible environmental rule breaches. David Williams reports.

Faced with possible prosecution over an “unsightly and smelly discharge” into the Waiho River bed, the Westland District Council went, with its hand out, to the Government.

The tiny tourist town of Franz Josef might sit on the edge of a national park but its inadequate oxidation ponds, damaged in a flood in March 2016, were only partially treating its wastewater. The river bed area receiving the icky discharge is open to the public and used by a tourism company that runs four-wheel motorcycle tours. Read more

Kahui Wai Māori group to work on freshwater

The Government is establishing a new group to broaden the conversation with Māori on freshwater.

Environment Minister David Parker today briefed the Iwi Chairs Forum meeting on plans to establish the group, to be known as Kahui Wai Māori – the Māori Freshwater Forum.

“Freshwater is a taonga of huge significance for Maori and all New Zealanders.

“This Government is committed to protecting and restoring our freshwater for future generations. We want to see a material improvement in water quality within five years.

“As we take the next steps towards this goal, we want to widen our engagement with Māori.”  Read more

Water - Who Pays?

The pipes under our cities towns and homes deliver not just drinking water they also take away our waste. But local councils, especially those outside the main centres, say they can't afford the upkeep of the pipes they own and struggle to pay for necessary upgrades. As the Government contemplates how to improve drinking, waste and storm water, Local Government reporter Laura Dooney asked local councils what they'd like to see happen.  Read more

Australian Water Association Seeking technical papers and case studies for the Water e-Journal

I’m reaching out on behalf of the Australian Water Association’s Technical Advisory Committee who are the Associate Editors for the Water e-Journal

The Water e-Journal is the premier online hub for water, science and technical paper publication in Australia. It is the online repository on the Australian Water Association’s website, where you can find technical papers on a diverse range of water-related topics.

Benefits of submitting a paper to the Water e-Journal:
• Showcase your work to an online audience of 15,000+
• Have your executive summary published in Current magazine to a readership of 5,000
• Get your work peer reviewed by experts in the industry
• Be featured in our weekly newsletter, sent to an audience of 11,000+

Have you recently presented at an Association event, submitted an abstract or paper that you believe would be of great interest to the water sector and wider community? If so, we would like to invite you to submit a full manuscript to the Association’s Water e-Journal through our online submission portal.

If this is of interest or you’d like some more information on submission guidelines or editorial deadlines, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks,
Natalija
Natalija GagicMembership Marketing Coordinator
Australian Water Association
Direct: 02 9467 8416
Email:ngagic@awa.asn.au
LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/natalijagagic

Local government inquiry terms of reference confirmed

The Government has asked the Productivity Commission to examine and report on local government funding and financing arrangements.

The Commission is delighted to receive the terms of reference from the Minister of Finance and Minister for Local Government which outline the context and scope of its new inquiry.

“The Commission has previously completed inquiries into local government regulation, better urban planning, using land for housing and housing affordability and is looking forward to assessing and analysing this sector further,” says Inquiry Director, Steven Bailey.

Steven says the success of the inquiry will rely on the input, knowledge and advice of the sectors concerned. “Meaningful engagement is a key part of all our inquiries and the Commission looks forward to working alongside local and central government, agencies, organisations, public bodies, local businesses, community groups and other interested parties throughout the inquiry process to better understand local authority operations, funding and financing.”

The terms of reference are available here and anyone interested in the inquiry can subscribe to receive updates. Water New Zealand will be preparing a submission. 

The Commission will begin the local government inquiry with the publication of an issues paper outlining its proposed approach, the context for the inquiry and a list of key questions to be addressed. The issues paper will be available in October 2018. The Commission will seek submissions from all interested parties and consult broadly to help inform and ground its analysis. Its final report to the Government is due on 30 November 2019.

River Awards highlight national waterways improvement

Judging is underway for the River Story Award section in this year’s Cawthron Foundation 2018 New Zealand River Awards. The River Story Award is awarded to the individual or community with the most interesting and compelling story about working to improve the health of a river, or rivers generally.

Cawthron Foundation has identified eight stories where individuals, groups, businesses and communities are working together to make a positive difference to the health of our rivers and streams.

“People over the length and breadth of New Zealand are working hard to improve the quality of our waterways,” says event organiser, Elizabeth Bean.  Read more

Who put a T-Shirt down the loo? 269 blockages in council’s system

What do cigarette butts, syringes, wet wipes and condoms have in common?

They are all blocking your toilet.

The Selwyn District Council spent about $50,000 last year, unclogging 269 blockages at sewer pump stations.

And there are some weird things found by the district council blocking drains – that’s a T-Shirt blocking a drain in the photo. See the photo - and read more!

Invercargill base of $900,000 study on drinking water safety

A $900,000 pilot study being conducted in Invercargill may soon help water suppliers throughout the country provide safer community drinking water.

A study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) is using innovative technology to test the efficiency of filtration systems commonly used in community water supplies and domestic point-of-use filters.

A recent Ministry of Health report on drinking water suppliers showed 19 per cent of people surveyed were exposed to water that did not meet safety standards. Read more

Large, smelly 'fatbergs' clogging up Auckland's wastewater network

Auckland's sewerage system is choking on 'fatbergs', with Watercare now spending $1 million to remove them and other blockages from the network each year.

The organisation's head of water value, Roseline Klein, describes fatbergs as a "lethal" combination of fat and oil, and items such as wet wipes, sanitary products and nappies that have been flushed down toilets, sinks, or showers across the city.

They're large, solid masses that cause blockages in the wastewater system.  Read more

Updated Drinking Water Standards Guidelines

The Ministry of Health has updated its guidelines on how to apply the Drinking Water Standards. The guidelines help water suppliers to achieve the Standards and provide advice for achieving high level of water quality management. The date on the footer of each chapter or datasheet is an indication of when that section of the guidelines was last updated. It is recommended that anyone using these guidelines uses the web version https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/guidelines-drinking-water-quality-management-new-zealand. You should not print the guidelines, as chapters and datasheets are updated on an ongoing basis.

Auckland Council Guideline Document On-site Wastewater Management in the Auckland Region (GD06) out for public consultation

The document is now published on the Auckland Design Manual website as a draft for public consultation.

They would expect the consultation period to extend from now through to October. There will be multiple opportunities for all stakeholders to provide feedback and suggested edits:

They would welcome your feedback and further inputs.

NZ companies, councils, not 'walking talk' on climate risk

New Zealand hasn't been "walking the talk" on climate risk, finds a sweeping new analysis of hundreds of annual reports and statements.

Climate change threatens hundreds of billions of dollars of property and infrastructure, and will require an economy-wide shift toward lower emissions.

A leading policy analyst was therefore shocked to find scant information about climate-related risk in reporting by companies, councils and government departments. Read more

Councils get help to prepare for sea-level rise

A senior NIWA scientist is concerned many councils are having difficulty “getting off the starting blocks” when it comes to planning for coastal climate change.

Dr Rob Bell, an expert in rising sea levels, wants councils to know there is new information and tools available that can help them, regardless of the uncertainties about how climate change will affect their region.

“I think councils generally know there’s a problem and want to get on with it, but what I’ve picked up is that they don’t quite know where to start – often the biggest hurdle is getting off the starting blocks.”  Read more

Major water management reform could take responsibility for drinking water from councils

New Zealand councils could lose responsibility for providing drinking water under a major reform of national water management, the Government has announced.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said she is exploring whether dedicated water providers should take over, as recommended from an inquiry launched after the deadly Havelock North gastroenteritis outbreak in August 2016.

Mahuta confirmed she has ruled out privatisation of existing infrastructure, saying the need for it to remain in public hands is a "core pillar" for the Government. Read more

Help near for councils, as water changes loom

Councils are screaming for financial help from central Government. The problem is, David Williams reports, they might get it sooner than they think.

Having a stagnant population isn’t all bad, Westland Mayor Bruce Smith maintains.

“No Kentucky Fried Chicken in our towns, no McDonald’s – and long may they stay away – but our growth comes from the growth in tourism numbers.”

Smith is the first-term mayor of a 360-kilometre-long stretch of the South Island’s rugged West Coast, home to 8800 people. The dynamics brought on by tourism are becoming impossible to deal with.

Take a town like Punakaiki, home to the famous Pancake Rocks. It’s got 300 ratepayers, but, Smith says, it gets about 5000 visitors a day. It needs about $3 million of work to bring its infrastructure, like drinking water and sewerage systems, up to scratch. “They can’t do it,” Smiths says of the local residents. Read more

Minister addresses three waters reform at LGNZ Conference

17 July 2018

We should also ask ourselves how can we ensure safer drinking water and better environmental practices in a way that is affordable for our communities? Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta addressed the LGNZ conference in Christchurch about the Government’s approach to three waters reform.

Professor Michael Baker looks at drinking water safety standards

The government is making changes to the Health Act to try to improve drinking-water safety standards. A recent report by the Ministry of Health on the quality of drinking water 2016-17 found that 19 percent of the population is exposed to water that doesn't meet all the requirements of its safety standards. Otago University Professor of Public Health Michael Baker is interviewed on RNZ about what the data means. Listen to interview

Review should focus on four waters, not three, says Napier mayor Bill Dalton

New Zealand has fallen behind when it comes to looking after its water.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said the Napier City Council was just one of many that felt this way and something needs to be done.

The Government is reviewing how to improve the management of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater (three waters) to better support New Zealand's prosperity, health, safety and environment.

Three waters services are a core responsibility of local councils. Read more

Freshwater groups folded as Govt pushes ahead

Two groups charged by the last government with finding a solution to the freshwater management problem have been put on pause as the Labour-led coalition forges its own way ahead. Sam Sachdeva spoke to the groups’ chairs about their work, and the challenges in finding a way to resolve freshwater issues.

They say still waters run deep, and that’s almost certainly the case when it comes to freshwater management.

On the surface, the Labour-led government appears to have made little movement on the issue of water allocation, but there have been reports of strong disagreement between the various coalition parties on the best approach. Read more

Workshops to Discuss Water Reform Options

Water New Zealand believes that it’s important that you are kept up to date with what has been happening and have your opportunity to tell us what you think.

Starting late July Water New Zealand staff will be running a series of 14 consultation workshops throughout New Zealand. We will be focusing on the structure and functions we believe a new drinking water regulator should have; and we will be discussing the various reform options for water delivery available to the Government. You may also wish to raise a range of other issues with us.

We’d like to hear your views so we can formulate a position on water regulation and delivery options that we’d like Government to consider. This work will lead to us eventually tabling a written submission with Department of Internal Affairs officials sometime mid-September.

The dates of these workshops are listed at right. Visit our Water New Zealand website to book early and secure a seat.
www.waternz.org.nz/events

View the brochure here, feel free to pass this onto anyone that may be interested. 

Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill 2018

The Government has introduced a Bill to shorten the consultation period required to make changes to the drinking water standards. The current requirements take 5 years. The changes will allow a shorter timeframe to be set depending on the complexity of the changes. The relevant Cabinet Minutes and Paper are also attached. The Bill will be referred to the Health Select Committee. The Association will circulate a draft submission for members comment in due course.

Government Response to Havelock North Drinking-Water Inquiry

Office of the Minister of Health
Office of the Minister of Local Government


Chair
Cabinet Economic Development Committee

Government Response to Havelock North Drinking-Water Inquiry

Proposal

1. This paper provides an update on the Government actions responding to the Government Inquiry into the Havelock North Drinking-Water Outbreak (the Inquiry) and seeks policy approval for initial amendments to the drinking-water provisions of the Health Act 1956.

2. This paper is intended to be read alongside the Cabinet paper Review of three waters infrastructure: key findings and next steps which has a similar, but broader scope in the context of drinking-water, wastewater, and stormwater (the three waters).

View the paper here.  

Southland's environment becoming less resilient to wastewater pollution

The effects of human activity are making Southland's natural environment less resilient to issues such as water pollution.

This was one of the key findings in a recently released report, looking into the current state of Southland's wastewater infrastructure. See more

Regular Tank Cleaning is Key to Water Quality

THERE'S SOMETHING in the water, and it's probably not what you expect. An amazing array of items can be found in water tanks, from beer bottles to vermin.

Sometimes what's left behind in a water tank is like a puzzle with missing pieces. Inspectors once discovered a small bicycle and a pool float inside a water tank located outside a prison complex. Was the bicycle stashed inside the tank by an accomplice as a method of transportation for an escaping inmate? Did teenagers use the water tank as some sort of playground, storing the bike and pool float inside the tank for their own amusement?

The reasons the bike and float were found in the tank didn't matter as much as determining whether their presence in the water posed a threat to the drinking water's integrity. Contaminated drinking water can trigger diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea—symptoms that can crop up quickly after a person drinks tainted water. More serious long‐term issues also can arise, including cancer, developmental delays in children, and kidney disease, among others.

Simple practices can be used to help prevent storage tank damage and contamination, including installing perimeter fences to keep unauthorized people away from the tank, adding “No Trespassing” signs to perimeter fences, replacing damaged vents, and cleaning and disinfecting tank interiors.

Back to Basics

Although many components of a water system are buried and out of sight, water tanks stand tall on municipal landscapes across North America. However, like all parts of a water distribution system, storage tanks need to be properly maintained to help ensure safe, clean drinking water.

Stratification

Picture a lake: Sometimes the water looks clear, and you can see all the way to the bottom. Lakes aren't always transparent, however, because the water turns over, drawing debris‐laden murky water to the top. This happens to water in a storage tank, too, because of varying temperatures at different depths. If a tank's water temperature varies, it means stratification is occurring and turnover is inadequate. Mixing systems are frequently used to blend the new and old water, keeping a tank's water more potable overall.

Cleaning Frequency

Cleaning can help prolong a tank's life, particularly when it comes to its protective coating. Regular tank maintenance also keeps the tank in service longer than if no repairs were done. Tanks with cathodic protection should be cleaned and disinfected every five years, according to the National Fire Protection Association. However, if a tank doesn't have cathodic protection, cleaning and disinfection should occur every three years.

Galvanic protection and impressed current are two types of cathodic protection. Galvanic uses sacrificial anodes made from metals such as zinc and magnesium, which corrode faster than the steel tank the anodes protect. With the latter type, controlled amounts of direct current are impressed between an inert anode and the steel tank.

Disinfection Methods

Three is the magic number for tank disinfection. Liquid chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, and calcium hypochlorite are all forms of chlorine that can be used to disinfect water tanks and towers. There are also three chlorination methods recommended by AWWA. Operators can weigh the pros and cons of each method to determine which best suits their particular system.

1.In the first method, the water tank should be filled to the overflow level with potable water. No less than 10 mg/L of chlorine is then added to the water for a contact time of at least six hours.

2.The second method requires using 200 mg/L of chlorine solution in a portable sprayer and physically spraying the entire interior surface of the tank from the floor to the top of the overflow. The solution should stay on for at least a half hour. At the same time, the drainpipes should be filled with 10 mg/L of chlorine solution. Once the time has elapsed, the tank must be cleaned with potable water. The drainpipes should also be cleared.

3.The third method calls for at least 50 mg/L of chlorine to be added to the tank. This will fill approximately 5 percent of the total storage volume. The solution should sit no less than six hours. The tank should then be filled to overflow level by flowing drinking water into the highly chlorinated water. This should be left for no less than 24 hours. The tank is then drained.

Testing for Contaminants

Regardless of which method is used, bacteriological testing must be completed before the tank is returned to service. Any presence of coliform bacteria found in sample testing following disinfection indicates harmful contaminants may be present in the water.

Water analysis can reveal if any microbes and bacteria in a water sample may pose a threat to public health. By contrast, other contaminants are conspicuous from inside the tank. Dirt, mud, sand, rust, and other elements or particles can gather at the bottom of a tank, covering what would otherwise be a pristine white tank bottom with inches of sediment. Outlet pipes can also become clogged if too much sediment settles in the pipes.

The amount of accumulation varies from tank to tank, depending on the environment and other factors. Pathogenic microorganisms can thrive in such sedimentation. The risk for drinking water contamination and pathogenic microorganism growth increases the longer sediment stays in tanks. Follow AWWA disinfection standards and testing procedures during dry cleanouts.

TankCleaning Options

Several effective tank‐cleaning options are available.

Remotely Operated Devices

Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) can be used to clean most tanks. Controlled remotely by trained inspectors, these robotic devices are disinfected with a bleach and water solution before they're positioned in the tank. One advantage of using an ROV is that the tank doesn't have to be taken out of service during a robotic cleanout. Another benefit is that the ROV is equipped with a camera, which can document the inspection or cleanout with video for the inspectors and tank owners. ROVs can clean most storage tanks, regardless of tank material (steel, concrete, or fiberglass).

Divers

Trained diving companies that offer inspections are another acceptable option. Of course, divers must have all their gear and clothes thoroughly disinfected before they set foot in the tank. Although it takes longer for a diver to inspect a tank compared with an ROV, each approach takes about the same amount of time during the actual cleanout phase.

Trash Pumps

Trash pumps are used to extract dirt, sand, and other material out of the tank. It's not uncommon to find 1–4 in. of sediment at the bottom of a water tank. In some instances, trash pumps have been known to remove as much as a foot of sediment from a tank. Standard 3‐in. trash pumps can be purchased at home improvement retail stores. No permits are required.

Sediment is discharged based on directions given by the owner and regulations for the city, county, and state where the tank is located. California has some of the strictest discharge requirements. Some operators use filtration bags to gather the sediment so only filtrated water is discharged into the ground.

Dry Cleanout

Sometimes it's necessary to drain the tank because there's too much sediment to be removed by a diver or ROV. A tank that's in bad condition, such as one ravaged by a recent natural disaster, may also need to be drained so it can be thoroughly inspected to determine what's needed to restore its optimal efficiency. Owners tend to shy away from the dry‐cleanout option because it requires the tank to be removed from service, as the tank has to be empty for inspectors to complete the job. During dry cleanouts, AWWA disinfection standards and testing must be followed.

Steps to Prevent Contamination

Some of the best ways to prevent contamination are simple practices.

Deter Vandalism

Would‐be vandals can scale the tank and contaminate the water. Ladders should be 10–20 ft from the ground, making them difficult to climb. Ladder guards with locks should be installed with the ladder. Locking the roof hatch is another way to keep people out of the tank.

Secure fencing around the perimeter helps keep people away, particularly if the tank is topped by barbwire and the gate is locked. Signs also should be posted to keep out intruders. Investing in a security system with cameras is also a viable option. Effective security measures help to prevent contamination and keep civilians from accessing the tank, which would be a liability. If someone climbs the tank and falls off, that's an insurance claim waiting to happen.

This tank is secured behind fencing with barbed wire, but a “No Trespassing” sign should be posted. The tank could also use a paint job, as evidenced by the fading paint and rust streaks.

Prevent Animal Visitors

Sometimes trespassers are of the furry, feathery, or scaly variety. Microbes and bacteria can also hitch a ride on a bird, rat, snake, or other critter that finds its way into the tank through an opening. It's important to maintain tank water quality by securing vents, hatches, and overflow screens and to repair any holes or gaps that may be found during regular inspections.

Ensure Mixing Efficiency

Stagnating water is a breeding ground for contaminants because of stratification, which is when water is separated into layers arranged by temperature, pressure, and pH levels. Water that comes in through the piping stays toward the bottom. This water is also the first to be cycled back out unless the installation of an over‐the‐top fill has occurred. Tanks should be monitored regularly for mixing efficiency, especially those at the end of a water distribution system or with low‐filling cycles or high volumes. Installing a mixing system can help circulate the newer and older water to prevent stratification.

Inspect, Clean, and Maintain

AWWA offers a range of standards (www.awwa.org/standards) that can help tank owners identify the recommended methods most suitable for their tank cleaning and maintenance schedules based on many factors. The best way to prevent contamination is to have tanks inspected and cleaned regularly per code. Effective maintenance is key to identifying issues early and responding to adverse conditions promptly to ensure distribution system water quality and quantity.

Effective maintenance is key to identifying issues early and responding to adverse conditions promptly to ensure distribution system water quality and quantity.

© 2018 American Water Works Association

Water New Zealand Photo Competition Winner

Congratulations to Martin Scott from Hamilton City Council. The winner of our photo competition with this entry.

Fitter in basin - Wastewater Treatment Plant Pukete, Hamilton - submitted by Martin Scott

We had some fantastic entries and look forward to using the images as part of our image suite. The top four entries after the winner are below: 

SH16 Causeway Tidal Flooding, Auckland Motorway - submitted by Peter Mitchell 

Culvert data collection, Auckland Motorway - submitted by Peter Mitchell

Culvert data collection and condition rating, Auckland Motorway - submitted by Peter Mitchell 

The Mangere BNR reactor mixers final inspection - submitted by Paul Doherty on behalf of Matt Girvan

Irish Water Delegation to Visit New Zealand

A small group from Irish Water will be visiting New Zealand in September/October this year. Irish Water is the national water utility charged with responsibility for provision of water and wastewater services in Ireland. They commenced operations in 2014 and were set up to amalgamate the water and wastewater functions of 31 Local Authorities into a single semi-state utility.

They have expressed an interest in making contact with practitioners in New Zealand.

They will be attending Conference in September, and hopefully speaking, but also wish to make contacts with people in the industry in New Zealand during their visit who might be able to facilitate specific discussions/site visits. They would hope to spend just over a week in New Zealand.

Appended is a list of key activity areas that are of particular interest and where they are developing and implementing significant changes.

Key areas of activity that they are presently working on are:

  1. Water Conservation, leakage management and network rehabilitation – application of recently developed technologies to network management.
  2. Energy Efficiency challenges- low energy solutions, renewables and energy recovery.
  3. Developing sustainable wastewater treatment solutions for smaller communities and variable discharge consents.
  4. Biosolids- Resource Recovery and Reuse in Agriculture and Forestry and other areas.
  5. Sewer Network Management and Rehabilitation
  6. Emerging contaminants
  7. Understanding of the impact of large scale Agriculture on water resources and services
  8. Source control of wastewater discharges
  9. Asset management approaches

Since Water NZ is assisting Irish Water with their visit, the obvious opportunity is for Water NZ to facilitate meetings in Auckland, Wellington and at conference in Hamilton.

If you would like to meet with them during their time in NZ please let me know by 12 July. ceo@waternz.org.nz

National Science Challenge 11 report

Please find attached the report for National Science Challenge 11.  This report came from information gathered at the workshop in Auckland back in February. 

Annual Report on Drinking-Water Quality 2016/17 published 28 June 2018

For your information and interest, the finalised Annual Report on Drinking-Water Quality 2016-2017 was published on the Ministry of Health's website on 28 June 2018. This Report is the latest in a series of annual reports there were first published in 1994. It replaces the draft version that was published in February 2018. A copy of the report can be found at: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-report-drinking-water-quality-2016-2017 


The Annual Report on Drinking-water Quality 2016-2017describes the drinking-water quality of all registered networked drinking-water supplies that served populations of more than 100 people. It describes how these supplies met the requirements of the Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (revised 2008)and the Health Act 1956 from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 covering approximately 3,815,000 people. The Report show that:

  • 3,669,000 people (96.2 percent) received drinking-water that met the bacteriological Standards.
  • 3,170,000 people (83.1 percent) received drinking-water which met the protozoal Standards.
  • 3,708,000 people (97.2 percent) received drinking-water which met the chemical Standards.
  • Overall, 81.1 percent of New Zealanders (3,094,000 people) on these supplies received drinking-water that met all requirements of the Standards.

By way of background ad context, in 1995 the Ministry of Health set a target of 95 percent compliance with bacterial and chemical Standards by drinking-water supplies serving over 500 people. Since then compliance rates have changed by small amounts each year but overall water suppliers serving more than 100 people exceed the 95 percent target.

Prompt remedial action also needs to be taken by drinking-water suppliers in the event that monitoring reveals contamination of the water as pathogens can rapidly cause illness. The Report shows that remedial action was taken in all but 27 supplies (serving approximately 0.6 percent of the report population or 22,200 people) and these 27 supplies now have systems are in place for follow up.

Water safety plans are developed and implemented by drinking-water suppliers to identify what risks may exist for a water supply and what action to take if anything does go wrong. The Report shows that over 97.8 percent (3,731,000 of the report population) received water from supplies that had started to implement a water safety plan.

Other initiatives to raise overall compliance with the Standards include:

  • The Director-General of Health issued a formal statement under section 69ZZZC of the Health Act 1956 reminding water suppliers of their statutory responsibilities under the Act and recommended water suppliers reconsider reliance on ‘secure bores’ and warned that the public risk was increased if drinking-water is untreated. The Director-General has also written to DHB CEOs asking them to encourage council (and private water supplier) CEOs to disinfect any non-disinfected water supplies.
  • Establishing an Drinking-water Advisory Committee with expertise across a range of disciplines to assess changes to the drinking-water system.
  • District Health Board public health units continuing to support drinking-water suppliers to achieve consistent compliance.
  • Supporting small water suppliers serving disadvantaged communities to upgrade their supplies using Government funding. While the subsidy scheme was closed to new applicants in 2015, technical assistance continues to be available through the DHB public health units.
  • Reviewing the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand.
  • Updating the water safety plan framework.
  • Improving guidance on compliance and enforcement for statutory officers
  • Maintaining a national database of drinking-water quality information
  • Updating the Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Management in New Zealand on a continuous basis.

Please feel free to share this information with your members and colleagues. 

Proposals for a Zero Carbon Bill

The Ministry for the Environment has a Zero Carbon Bill discussion paper out for public comment. Feedback is sought by 19 July. The Bill is expected to be introduced to the House in October 2018. Select Committee October to March. Website notes intention to have the Act in force by April 2019.

https://www.mfe.govt.nz/have-your-say-zero-carbon

View the Water New Zealand Submission here. Please provide comments/feedback to John Pfahlert by Friday, 13 July. 

Taranaki council wins Supreme Court legal fight to put fluoride in water

A Taranaki council has won a landmark legal fight to add fluoride to the water supply in two towns, and the Supreme Court decision has been praised by New Zealand's dentists.

On Wednesday the court ruled against anti-fluoride campaigners following a five-and-a-half-year, $385,000 legal battle over the water supply in Patea and Waverley.

South Taranaki District Council decided to add fluoride in December 2012.  Read more

Fluoride to return to Hastings water supply after a two year absence

Fluoride is due to make a return to Hastings drinking water from August, following a two year absence due to the Havelock North gastro outbreak.

Hawke's Bay DHB was keen to see fluoride return to the supply and in a paper going before the board today staff said "community fluoridation remains an ongoing and serious concern as it has been absent from the Hastings District Council supply since August 2016 and no clear timeframe for its reinstatement has been announced by Hastings District Council".

It said "Reinstatement is a high priority for Maori and Pacific oral health".

Hastings was the first place in New Zealand to have fluoride added to its urban water as a means of preventing tooth decay, in 1954, but the water supply has been fluoride-free since the Havelock North gastro-outbreak.  Read more

Release of the third report under LGNZ’s Water 2050 project

An update from LGNZ on their Water 2050 project and outlines the release of their third piece of work.

There are five key workstreams to the Water 2050 project: allocation, water quality, infrastructure, cost and funding, and governance. To date, the following papers have been released:

Today, LGNZ has released its third paper in our work programme to members, Water 2050: Cost and funding – Meeting the costs of water infrastructure; a stocktake and analysis of actual and potential funding options for local authorities . This discussion paper considers funding – that is, who ultimately pays for the infrastructure. It outlines and analyses a range of existing funding options and also comments on attributes that future funding options will need to consider.

These reports and our future work have been undertaken in order to inform discussion between LGNZ members and with central government on water and, in particular, to feed into the Government’s current review of the delivery of three waters services. Funding is one of the four workstreams in the Government’s work.

Water 2050: Funding options

In determining which options to use to fund infrastructure to meet rising standards, climate change impacts and population changes, as well as essential maintenance and renewal, this report identifies several considerations:

  1. Cost. For many districts and cities, the cost of investing in three waters infrastructure, including any additional costs resulting from higher standards and new regulation, will be significant. Central and local government policy development must consider both existing and new funding options to ensure every community can successfully balance its investment principles to achieve outcomes that benefit their communities and the country.
  2. Economic equity. If economic equity is considered – where charges reflect the costs of providing services – as a high priority, then those options where users pay based on the extent to which they benefit, and where charges reflect the cost of provision, will be preferred.
  3. Social equity. Social equity addresses affordability to residents and is based on the premise that no one is priced out of the market. Importantly, improving social equity is not only a local issue, but a national one. In the context of water use, local government should not be expected to carry the full cost of contribution for national benefit, particularly where there may be measurable improvements. Central government should work closely with local governments to determine the fair and appropriate sharing of costs for improvement and expansion, and to also share in better outcomes.
  4. Simplicity and implementation. For a successful funding programme to be supported, it must be easily explained and understood by all levels of governance, management, stakeholders and the public.
  5. Conditions and context. While user-charging and local targeted rates are often considered suitable for urban areas, in rural areas these approaches can result in per-person funding requirements that are considered unaffordable. There may be merit, for example, from a wider public good perspective, in spreading the costs of rural infrastructure beyond the relevant local council, while at the same time applying more economically efficient approaches in urban centres.
  6. Time. Infrastructure costs can be recovered over different periods, depending on the funding option adopted. Recovering costs over relatively short time periods reduces funding risk and minimises overall debt requirements, but it pushes greater funding requirements onto the early users of long-lived infrastructure.

Next steps

We intend for this report to feed into policy development on the funding workstream under the Three Water Review. It will be followed next month by a report that quantifies water infrastructure costs, including an estimation of the costs to upgrade and renew infrastructure across New Zealand’s councils under various scenarios, allowing for increased capacity for resilience.

We look forward to keeping you updated on LGNZ’s policy work on water under its Water 2050 project.

The Shaping of Water - Sunday Star Times

How Water New Zealand has rapidly become an industry 'go-to' group - Sunday Star Times.

Please note factual errors - John Mackie is a board member but not Board Chair as incorrectly stated.

Water New Zealand promotes the sustainable management and development of the water environment. We have almost 2000 corporate and individual members made up of decision-makers and technologists from central and local government, industry, the academic and research communities, consultants as well as service and equipment supply organisations.

Go here to see story

Wellington manufacturers admit spilling plastic beads down storm water drains

A Lower Hutt plastics company has owned up for its part in the hundreds of thousands of plastic beads that are scattered around Wellington coastlines.

IML Plastic's commercial manager Richard Jorgensen said the company had not been irresponsible but the view that its processes were adequate was wrong.

"We are responsible and I think it's inadvertent rather than intentional," he said.

Nurdles are small plastic pallets that are used for making a wide range of products.  Read more

Improvement of waterways could take decades

It could be years before high nitrate levels drop in South Canterbury catchments, a groundwater scientist says.

According to the most recent Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) results, four out of the 10 water zones have high nitrate risk levels, including Orari-Temuka-Opihi-Pareora (OTOP) and Lower Waitaki-Coastal South Canterbury.

There is also another potential high-risk area near Ikawai, inland from Glenavy.

Environment Canterbury groundwater scientist Carl Hanson said there was a significant effort in Canterbury to manage and reduce nitrate levels in groundwater caused by more intensive farming over the past 20 years and more.  Read more

Stemming the flow - how Christchurch's top strategist plans to turn the tide on its water woes

The latest report on Christchurch's drinking water offers glimmers of hope among the grim reading. Dominic Harris sits down with new council water boss Helen Beaumont to find out how she plans to turn things around.

See more

Water standards 'need tightening' after antibiotic-resistant E coli found in Christchurch's Avon River

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has been found in Christchurch's Avon River, leading scientists to urge city authorities to tighten water quality standards.

The river has harboured E coli for years, but the bacteria's increasing resistance could mean people fight off illness more slowly when treated with common medication, or infections may be prolonged.

Pets, such as dogs, could fall ill from playing in the water and that infection could be passed to their owners.

The samples were found in a stretch of river popular for canoeing and punting in Hagley Park near Christchurch Hospital. Read more

Problem with wet wipes in wastewater system worsens

Of all the things Aucklanders force-flush down their toilets, wet wipes are especially concerning for Watercare.

The material doesn't break down and can constrict wastewater pipes, leading to blockages and overflows, according to Peter Rogers, asset protection manager at the public utility's wastewater treatment plant in Māngere, south Auckland.

The plant treats wastewater from most of Auckland's toilets, showers, hand basins, kitchen sinks, industrial plants and hospitals. Read more

Whakatane group plans to fight water bottling plant

The expansion of a controversial water bottling plant near Whakatane is splitting the local community. Earlier this month the government granted consent for Creswell NZ , which is owned by Chinese water bottling company Nongu, to buy land to expand its operations at the Otakiri Springs water bottling plant. And the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Whakatāne District Council granted resource consent for the project. Now one local group is getting ready to appeal to the Environment Court - while another's looking at how it can work alongside Creswell to give more jobs to locals. Te Manu Korihi reporter John Boynton reports. Listen to more

Otago Regional Council focuses on urban water quality

The Otago Regional Council has been praised for focusing on urban water quality.

In its draft long-term plan, the council dedicated $3.32million over the next 10 years to focus on urban discharges and the effect on water quality.

See more 

Mosgiel chlorine complaints drying up

A flood of complaints immediately following the introduction of Dunedin city water to Mosgiel’s water supply last year has slowed to a trickle.

About 40 official complaints were made to the Dunedin City Council in the month after it controversially switched Mosgiel’s water supply from the old bore water system to the city supply via the Mt Grand treatment plant because of safety concerns.

But since February, a total of three complaints have been made and only one of those related to the Mosgiel supply.

Council 3 Waters Group manager Tom Dyer said he expected the chlorine taste and smell of the water to have largely dissipated since the supply was switched.  Read more

Water 'not fit for human consumption' warn health officials

Otago Regional Council chief executive Sarah Gardner said the worst result in the Lower Waitaki plains area was from March.

"The levels have spiked at quite a high number - I understand at around 150 [colony forming units - or viable cells - per millilitre] above what the drinking water standard is.

"At other times, they have been relatively close to the standard - but not as close as they should be."

The safe level for drinking water is "less than one" colony forming unit per millilitre.

"Bore owners had been sent emails warning them not to drink the untreated water and would receive follow up letters in the post," Mrs Gardner said.

The council was still investigating the source of the contamination.

The Southern District Health Board Medical Officer of Health, Keith Reid, said residents must not drink untreated water or use it for cooking. Read more

Mentor Me - can you help?

As you may know, Engineering New Zealand has launched a mentoring pilot programme in Auckland called Mentor Me. The goal of Mentor::Me is to connect engineers from all backgrounds and disciplines with senior practitioners to help guide them through all professional and personal challenges they face in their early career.

There has been a great response and there are plenty of mentees looking for a mentor match. Engineering New Zealand is looking for mentors in the following fields, and we think you might be able to help.

If you think you can help, please email Leanne Asher leanne.asher@engineeringnz.org

Attached is a flyer  and Mentor Matching Form  for further information. 

Classification
Civil 12
Design Engineer 2
Electrical engineering 5
Environmental Engineer (Stormwater) 1
Geotechnical 3
Mechanical 3
Aerospace/Mechanical 1
Mechatronics Engineering, working as a multi-discipline CAD Engineer 1
Process/Production/Project Engineer 6
Research & Development Engineer 1
Structural 5
Technical Services Engineer 2
Not listed in their application 5

Government signs off on Chinese water bottling expansion

The government has granted a Chinese-owned company permission to expand a water bottling plant in Whakatane.

Creswell NZ, which is wholly owned by Chinese bottled water supplier Nongfu Spring Co, applied to buy freehold and leasehold interest in 6.2 hectares of land at Otakiri, near Whakatane. The land is classed as sensitive under the Overseas Investment Act because it is more than 5 hectares of non-urban land and borders conservation land.

Land Information Minister Eugenie Sage and Associate Finance Minister David Clark have granted the application, conditional on the company providing an additional 60 fulltime jobs within four years and getting the resource consents it needs under the Resource Management Act, they said in a joint statement today. The company still needs water permits and other resource consents from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Whakatane District Council before it can buy the land.

View the full article here.

Council orders NZDF not to discharge stormwater with firefighting foam

A central North Island regional council has ordered the Defence Force to stop discharging stormwater with firefighting foam in it.

Horizons Regional Council, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, today issued the Defence Force with an abatement notice to stop unauthorised discharges.

It said defence could no longer put water containing firefighting foam - which may contain toxins and long-lasting chemicals - down stormwater drains.

That included water that had been used to wash foam off fire trucks or onto land near the fire training area where it may enter waterways.

View the full article here.

The man behind Water New Zealand - and oil, mining and everything else

You'd think the man defending water chlorination in Christchurch would be running for the Port Hills but when it comes to political crises John Pfahlert has been there, done that.

The Christchurch City Council is in damage control five months into a controversial move to chlorinate the city's water supply, which left residents seething.

With seven months left on the original 12-month repair timeframe voted on by council in January this year, it appears upgrades are yet to begin on all 102 of the well heads requiring one. Chlorination was started to keep residents safe until the work was completed. 

View the full article here.

Questions raised over where New Zealand bottled water is coming from

New Zealand-based water bottlers are cashing in on picturesque Southern Alps landscapes, even if they're based nowhere near them, the Beverage Council says.

Northland-based PH9 Plus Water this week updated its website, removing a reference to the water coming from the South Island of New Zealand, after Stuff began investigating an allegation that it was in fact bottled in the Ararimu Valley, West Auckland. This is the source of much of the high-alkaline water currently sold in New Zealand shops.

View the full article here.

Options for reform aired at Water Summit

Key issues of drinking water reform and freshwater management were discussed at a summit in Wellington last week run by LGNZ, Water New Zealand and IPWEA.

The two-day summit provided an opportunity for water sector leaders to discuss the implications of the government’s approach to water reform following the release earlier this month of the Government’s Review of three waters infrastructure: key findings and next steps paper to Cabinet earlier this month.

Two international experts on regulation and water sector reform spoke at the summit.

Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector for Water Suppliers in the UK outlined the current regulatory arrangements for ensuring safe drinking water in the UK and Europe.Go here to listen to the interview on with Marcus Rink and Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert on RNZ. 

The Chief Executive of TasWater, Mike Brewster, discussed the reform model that was adopted in Tasmania following the amalgamation of water authorities. Hear his interview on RNZ. See other summit media coverage on Newsroom and on Stuff

Go here to see more on the presentations and slides. 

Good farming practice plan a step forward for water quality

A plan to help farmers and growers reduce their impact on fresh water, through good farming practices, has been launched today.

The Good Farming Practice: Action Plan for Water Quality commits to supporting all farmers and growers to implement good practice principles that will reduce their impact on our freshwater.

The Action Plan, jointly developed by primary sector groups, Regional Councils and the Ministries of Environment and Primary Industries, is a positive step by the primary sector towards improving the health of New Zealand’s waterways, Environment Minister David Parker said.  Read more

Water work yet to start?

Five months after the city council revealed Christchurch’s drinking water had been compromised, it appears not a single well head has been fixed.

In January, councillors signed off chlorination of the city’s water supply for 12 months while engineers fix vulnerable well heads.

The decision was made after Christchurch’s secure bore status was revoked in December – a move prompted by the discovery that many wells were in disrepair and vulnerable to pollution from dirty surface groundwater.

The Press has repeatedly asked the Christchurch City Council how many of the 102 well heads have been fixed, but it has refused to provide a direct response.  Read more

Water New Zealand Submission: Productivity Commission Low Emissions Economy

Submission: Productivity Commission Low Emissions Economy

IEMA-NZ - Water Discussion Event

The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA, www.iema.net) The NZ membership of IEMA was formed inApril 2017 to support IEMA and is supported by members located across Aotearoa New Zealand. A Discussion on water issues to discuss the challenges and opportunities for water and the implications for business. The event is on Thu 5 July 2018, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM and will cover a range of issues, including:

  • The state of New Zealand’s freshwater quality. Why should we be worried?
  • What tools and solutions do we have available, from ecosystem services to green infrastructure systems.
  • What is water footprinting and how might it help?

See https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-new-zealand-water-challenge-tickets-46480617779?aff=eac2 for more details.

Arup Global Water Annual Review

Urban water resilience is a key focus in ARUP's Global Water Annual Review 2017-18. Go here to see the full review.

Overhauling the water system - Mike Brewster interview

Mike Brewster, CEO of TasWater has been in New Zealand attending the Water Summit in Wellington. Listen here to his interview on RNZ Lately Programme about the water reform process was tackled in Tasmania and the similarities with New Zealand. (Interview begins one minute into the link.)

https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/lately/20180531

Gastro outbreaks may have gone undetected

There may have been smaller campylobacter outbreaks in Hawke's Bay that were never picked up by health officials, researchers studying the 2016 Havelock North outbreak say.

That possibility is being investigated as part of a two-year study into the Havelock North water crisis, where 5000 people fell ill in August 2016.

Hawke's Bay has had one of the highest rates of campylobacter, per capita, in the country for several years and researchers were looking at historical trends between heavy rainfall and all types of reported gastroenteritis cases.

"The question is ... could it have happened without us even noticing?" Hawke's Bay District Health Board's population health acting director Dr Nicholas Jones said. Read more

Severn Trent's £60M thermal hydrolysis plant starts operating

The £60M scheme changes the way the company treats waste before generating green power and will make the process considerably more efficient, meaning the amount of clean energy generated will increase by almost a third. More than half of the plant is now up and running and it is expected to be fully operational by the end of the summer.

View the full article here.

Overhaul of water system in the pipeline

Speaking to the Water Summit in Wellington today, local government minister Nanaia Mahuta said a "step change" was needed.

"This is the conversation that we need everyone to be thinking about, because the Havelock North report says things need to change," Ms Mahuta said.

The Havelock North inquiry, which reported back six months ago, found nearly 800,000 New Zealanders were drinking water that was "not demonstrably safe".

The inquiry made 51 recommendations, including streamlining the number of water suppliers.

A separate 'Three Waters Review' by the Department of Internal Affairs found drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services were "inconsistent and patchy".  Read more

Big changes ahead in fight for water quality

The strains on New Zealand’s water infrastructure were a hot topic at a local government summit this week. Everyone is preparing for change, but concrete decisions from the Government still appear some time away.

“What we can be absolutely certain of is change.”

Opening Local Government New Zealand’s water summit on Wednesday, Dunedin Mayor and LGNZ president Dave Cull left those in attendance in no doubt about the task ahead.

With the damning findings of an inquiry into the Havelock North gastro outbreak still fresh in people’s minds, local and central government officials are mulling the challenge of fixing New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater supplies - referred to collectively as “the three waters”. Read more

European Commission - Press release Single-use plastics: New EU rules to reduce marine litter

Brussels, 28 May 2018

With the amount of harmful plastic litter in oceans and seas growing ever greater, the European Commission is proposing new EU-wide rules to target the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear.

Together these constitute 70% of all marine litter items. The new rules are proportionate and tailored to get the best results. This means different measures will be applied to different products. Where alternatives are readily available and affordable, single-use plastic products will be banned from the market.For products without straight-forward alternatives, the focus is on limiting their use through a national reduction in consumption; design and labelling requirements and waste management/clean-up obligations for producers. Together, the new rules will put Europe ahead of the curve on an issue with global implications.

View the full article here. 

NZ's water infrastructure is broken

NZ's water infrastructure is broken but Cabinet yet to decide how to fix it.

The Government isn't ruling out taking over the management and operation of the country's water infrastructure from local authorities.

The so-called 'Three Waters' (freshwater, wastewater and stormwater) is under "increasing pressure due to multiple issues, and many local authorities are struggling to respond," according to a report commissioned by the Government last month.

On Wednesday Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta addressed a water summit in Wellington where she told stakeholders a Three Waters Review, led by the Department of Internal Affairs, has found that all three waters services to New Zealanders are inconsistent and patchy. Read more

Water quality leads 10-year plan hearing

Water quality in Lake Hayes dominated submissions at an Otago Regional Council long-term plan hearing in Queenstown yesterday.

Of the 12 groups and individuals who spoke at the hearing, half of them focused on either the lake's water quality or the need to better monitor all the district's lakes.

The hearing began with an impassioned plea by Wakatipu resident Andrew Davis, who accused the council of ''neglect'' in its statutory duty to protect water quality in Central Otago.

He accused the council of taking a passive approach to the lake and its tributary, Mill Stream. That had allowed the lake's water quality to gradually degrade to the point where residents and visitors could no longer be confident about swimming in it.  Read more

Christchurch City Council making slow progress on repairing 102 well heads

The Christchurch City Council promised to upgrade 102 well heads within a year so it could stop chlorinating the city's water supply – but there are questions about whether any have yet been repaired to the standards required.

Councillors voted in January to chlorinate the city's water supply after experts warned of there was a low risk of contamination. The council authorised chlorination for up to 12 months while the work was done.

Councillors were told by council-owned company City Care, which examined the water supply in 2017, that 102 wells needed work to meet expert standards and provided timeframes for when it would be able to upgrade the 25 wells with the "highest potential risk".  Read more

Christchurch mayor wants chlorination levels reduced after public outcry over taste, smell

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel is asking staff if they can reduce the level of chlorine in the water supply following residents' complaints to online media as well as print, and radio and TV , about the taste and smell of tap water. See more 

Regional sharing of knowledge and experiences across the water sector

Wellington Water hosted a central NZ (Tasman, Napier, New Plymouth) 3 waters Managers/Asset managers meeting on the 18th May.

This was a great session with many issues and challenges discussed, some of which are, coping with BAU as well as queries from internal and external parties; growth; procurement; catchment changes with regional plans etc. The intention is to hold another meeting in 6 weeks’ time. 

Innovative flusher gate tackles FOG in sewers

The HYDRAPULSE flusher gate, developed by engineers at Reece Innovation, harnesses the power of water to blast through the congealed debris that can clog sewers and storm drains.

A successful 12-month trial by Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) has sparked significant industry interest and the gates are now being exported to Australia, New Zealand and North America.

View the full article here.

Climate Change Research Institute – MSc Project available

A fully-funded MSc project is available through the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington which will contribute to the ‘Living at the Edge’ programme and the ‘Economics’ toolbox of the Resilience to Nature’s Challenges National Science Challenge.

Find out more here.  

PhD Scholarship in Māori River Restoration

The Rivers Group would like to take this opportunity to inform you about the University of Auckland Marsden Grant PhD Scholarship in Māori River Restoration,which may be of interest to you.

This Scholarship was established in 2017 and is funded by a Marsden Grant awarded to academic staff members from the School of Environment at the University of Auckland.

The main purpose of the Scholarship is to support a PhD student to develop their research to investigate how mātauranga Māori is incorporated into specific river restoration projects along the Waipa River. Their research will involve the use of ethnographic methods and intensive fieldwork alongside iwi-based restoration groups. Accordingly some knowledge of Te Reo Māori is desirable.

Nomination is made to the Scholarships Office and the Scholarship will be awarded on the recommendation of the Selection Committee.

To read more, click here.

Kind regards,

Mark Hooker
Chair, Rivers Group

What we flush

Alex Casey goes on an odyssey to discover the fate of Auckland’s disposable sanitary waste.

Chux cloths. The odd bit of corn. A set of false teeth. It was the worst Generation Game any human had ever played, and I hadn’t even found what I was looking for yet. I was staring into the void at the Watercare treatment plant in Mangere, and the void was full of whatever Aucklanders flushed down their toilets a matter of minutes ago – including an alarming amount of human hair. Then, in the mush, I saw my prize. A tell-tale aqua blue string. A tampon, fresh out of the Splash Planet that is Auckland’s intricate sewage system. Oh the places you’ve been.

View the full article here

Setting research priorities for impacts of climate change on drought

As part of the government funded science challenges, Water New Zealand has been invited to participate in “Deep South Science Challenge” dialogue on drought. The outcomes of the dialogue will be funded research projects that look at the Impacts and Implications of climate projections of drought.

Impacts and Implications projects will build on improved understanding of future climate and existing initiatives developed by NIWA;

Scientists noted that projections of soil moisture and drought remain relatively uncertain compared to other aspects of the water cycle. Nonetheless, a major message is that drought severity increases over time, and the extent will be influenced by the extent of future greenhouse gas emissions. Key takeaways from NIWA were:

  • Drought risk is expected to increase this century in already drought-prone areas,
  • ‘Severe droughts’ occur more often by mid and late-century and worsen as greenhouse gas forcing increases
  • Low flow conditions are expected to be reached earlier in the water year for much of the North Island and eastern South Island, increasingly so with higher radiative forcing scenarios and towards the end of the century (except the West Coast)
  • Summer Mean conditions during spring, summer and autumn seasons are expected to remain about the same or become slightly wetter by mid-century for the lowest radiative forcing scenario. With increased radiative forcing and time, soil moisture conditions are expected to become drier in the North Island and in South Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
  • Soil Moisture Deficit conditions during summer are expected to remain about the same or become slightly lower by mid-century. With increased radiative forcing and time, soil moisture deficit conditions are expected to increase in the North Island while reducing in South Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
  • Less stream water will be available during summer months, and that there is likely a potential reduction of agricultural/plant water needs in the summer months in South Island versus an increase in the North Island.

The projects will complement existing water related research projects being undertake as part of the challenge;

Members with an interest in existing research streams, or feedback on research priorities for the upcoming funding round should contact: Lesley.smith@waternz.org.nz. Priorities for future research will be developed at a workshop on 12th June.

Productivity Commission Low-emissions economy draft report

The Productivity Commission recently released a paper examining options for NZ to move to a low emissions economy. The report is comprehensive at 500 pages long. It asks the question whether waste water treatment plants should be included in the emissions trading scheme. Water New Zealand is planning to make a submission to the Commission. Members with an interest can contact Lesley Smith at Water New Zealand. 

View the draft submission here. View the Productivity Commissions paper here. 

Seven Sharp – Should wet wipes be banned in New Zealand for the sake of the environment?

Seven Sharp – Should wet wipes be banned in New Zealand for the sake of the environment?

Seven Sharp visited Moa Point (one of Wellingtons wastewater treatment plants) yesterday afternoon, for a closer look at what happens to the wetwipes you flush down the toilet, and to talk about why you should only flush the 3P's - pee, poo and paper [toilet paper].

Watch the video here: www.tvnz.co.nz...

Government has a clear mandate to clean up freshwater

The Environmental Defence Society says that the reaction to Environment Minister David Parkers comments about cows has been ill-informed.  See more

Stormwater education & training needs survey

In 2017, Water New Zealand’s Stormwater Education and Training Subgroup sent out a survey to Stormwater practitioners. We had 137 people respond with input identifying future training needs in the stormwater space. Now we need more details from you!

We want to know if your needs have changed and if the same feedback applies, so we are reaching out to even more of you for feedback.

On May 24th we are holding an education & training forum as part of the Stormwater Conference and we want to make the best use of relevant information so we can focus on next steps with those attending the conference. To that end, we’ve set up a short survey to provide us with that focus. There are eight questions and it will take you about 10 minutes to answer them, depending on how much you want to tell us.

Click here to take part in the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8GDZNKC

Please complete your survey by Friday 18 May so that we can collate your answers before the meeting.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the conference!

(Not coming to the conference? You can still do the survey! We want to hear what you have to say and present it at the forum.)

You can find out more about:

And that survey link again: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8GDZNKC

Thank you.
James Reddish
Convenor, Water New Zealand Stormwater Education and Training Subgroup

Consultation open on Health and Safety at Work Strategy

Worksafe NZ is consulting on their draft Health and Safety Strategy. See here for details.

Members are encouraged to participate in one of the regional briefings being undertaken by Worksafe, details of which can be found on the Worksafe website. Unless we receive a strong signal from members that we should be making a submission we will not be doing so to this document.

New Zealand has made progress in reducing injury and fatality rates, but our rates of harm are still too high.

Working with key stakeholders, the Government has developed a draft Health and Safety at Work Strategy, which sets out how to improve the health and safety of workers over the next 10 years.

Your input will help to make sure the Strategy is right, and that it’s meaningful for the people it needs to work for.

This is an important opportunity to contribute to building a system where all Kiwis are healthy and safe at work.

Consultation is open to everyone, and closes on Friday 8 June.

You might like to come along to one of the workshops this month, in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Gisborne, Rotorua and Whangarei. You can register on the MBIE website.

Nanaia Mahuta discusses iwi water rights, pollution reduction

Nanaia Mahuta is the Minister for Maori Development and an Associate Minister for the Environment. She discusses iwi water rights, pollution reduction with Guyon Espiner. Listen to discussion

Iwi water rights, farm pollution separate issues - Ardern

The government plans to set new limits on how much pollution farmers can put in waterways - an announcement that will have huge ramifications for the agriculture sector. This follows other surprise announcements such as the ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration permits. Has the government been giving key players enough warning of big policy changes? Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talks to Susie Ferguson. She says they two issues are separate, and says the government is waiting to hear from the Land and Water Forum.  Hear full interview

New water pollution rules may hit dairy land values

New rules which set limits on how much pollution farmers can put in to waterways are set to have a huge impact on how we use land and water. Environment Minister David Parker said at the weekend that the new system could lead to limits on cow numbers. But the story is developing this morning. Guyon Espiner spoke to the Minister a short time ago and he conceded that it could also dramatically change land values. And adding to the complexity Mr Parker says that the vexed issue of Māori rights and interests in water needed to be resolved at the same time. Hear full interview

Draft Terms of Reference for review of approach to joint A/NZ standards

Attached  are the draft terms of reference for a review being undertaken by MBIE of New Zealand’s approach to joint standards development between Australia and New Zealand. 

MBIE welcomes and will consider any feedback or suggestions on the ToR.

Interested representatives know that they are invited to contact Victoria Hodgson  if they would like to participate in a face-to-face conversation on their industry’s specific experiences and perspectives on New Zealand’s approach to joint standards.

Only you can prevent gross, smelly fatbergs from clogging up city sewers, says inspector

It's been described as smelling like rotting meat and dirty diapers.

A fatberg is a congealed mass found in sewer systems combining non-biodegradable solid matter such as wet wipes with grease or cooking fat.

The destructive deposits have caused problems in cities around the world but it can easily be fixed, according to Barry Orr, a sewer outreach and control inspector for London, Ont.

"We have to stop a lot of things from going down the toilet. The only thing that should be going down the toilet is human waste and toilet tissue," he told The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti.

View the full article here.

NZC in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 3) consultation - Feedback required by 31st May 2018

Please find below a link to the Connexis website for a new training programme in health and safety.

The consultation phase for the NZC in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 3) is now available for feedback. You can find more information and the feedback document online:

http://www.connexis.org.nz/qualifications-under-consultation/civil-construction/#qual8

This is a very flexible qualification: We have to opportunity to add more units into the qualification if we see fit.

For example we could have a ‘Chemical handling’ theme (amongst others) and include the units:

29982 Describe and operate chlorine disinfection processes in drinking-water treatment

And/or create some new units based on the Australian competency standards:

NWPTRT013 - Operate and control liquefied chlorine gas disinfection

https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/NWPTRT013

NWPTRT052 Monitor, operate and report chlorine disinfection systems

https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/NWPTRT052

TVNZ Breakfast show - Government Sector review interview with John Pfahlert

View CEO, John Pfahlert's interview on TVNZ's Breakfast show on Wednesday, 2 May here (approx. 14 minutes into show). 

Future of ‘three waters’ still unclear

A water industry group has questioned why the public is no clearer on how to better manage the resource, six months after the Government took power.

The quality of drinking water became huge news last year after a report into the Havelock North gastro outbreak revealed people across the country were likely to be drinking unsafe water.

View the full article here.

Major Govt water review: Sector calls for new regulator

The water sector has made fresh calls for a new independent regulator as the Government launches a major review to tackle New Zealand's water woes.

The Department of Internal Affairs-led review will probe the way the "three waters" - wastewater, stormwater and drinking water - are managed.

See more

Apprenticeship in Water Treatment Launched

Connexis are excited to announce the new NZ Apprenticeship in Water Treatment has just launched.

This is our first online blended learning programme and combines online learning with practical assessment and block courses. The online learning component is done through our brand-new learning management system (LMS) which has been developed in conjunction with Lutra.

The first cohort of 20 trainees is currently underway, with another due to begin shortly. Interested in getting on the waiting list? Visit our website or get in touch onaskus@connexis.org.nz or 0800 486 626. 

Q+A: Why some ratepayers are falling foul of councils wastewater management

Q+A: Why some ratepayers are falling foul of councils wastewater management

Councils around the country are under pressure to renew sewage systems that meet new environmental standards and are affordable and acceptable to their ratepayers, but not all ratepayers are happy about the newly adopted methods of disposing waste.  See feature on TVNZ's Q + A

Seven Sharp - Why does Christchurch tap water need chlorine when bottled water doesn't?

Seven Sharp - Why does Christchurch tap water need chlorine when bottled water doesn't?

See Water New Zealand's Jim Graham on Seven Sharp

Mayor eyes task force on water treatment

Christchurch City Council has reiterated its determination to rid the city’s water of chlorine in 12 months as the mayor signals creating a task force to ensure chlorination is temporary.

The stance comes after a water expert Iain Rabbitts said it was likely the city’s drinking water supply would end up being chlorinated permanently even if the council did repair all its 103 faulty well heads.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel slammed Rabbitts’ views at a council meeting yesterday. She said his opinion was ‘‘unvalidated’’ and it was ‘‘quite irresponsible’’ to present it as anything else. Read more

Can Christchurch swallow chlorination?

If a leading water quality consultant is right about the state of Christchurch’s drinking water supply, then the region may have its head in Canterbury river gravel about the risks to that supply.  Read full article

Water bores and casings

By John Pfahlert, CEO, Water New Zealand

THE HAVELOCK NORTH water inquiry highlighted widespread systemic failure in our drinking water system. Water suppliers should now be aware that so called “secure” bore water status is not so secure, and that there need to be changes to how we abstract and use groundwater.

What’s been less publicised following the release of the report has been the findings around the construction and maintenance of bores and casings. The inquiry identified a number of problems with current practice and has recommended a comprehensive review of NZS4411 – the environmental standard for drilling of soil and rock.

This coincides with separate discussions involving Water New Zealand and the New Zealand Drillers Federation.  Read full article

Christchurch water supply 'at risk' from unmonitored bores

Christchurch's drinking water supply is likely to end up being chlorinated permanently – and repairing faulty well heads will not change that.

That is the view of a water expert brought in to review the city's programme of temporary chlorination.

Iain Rabbitts, a water treatment consultant and adviser to the government inquiry into the Havelock North outbreak, also said while 103 substandard public wells were being fixed it was possible about 1850 other unmonitored bores could potentially pollute the water supply.  Read more

Deep South National Science Challenge Media Release

View the Deep South National Science Challenge media release Coping in the face of climate change: Research announced to better support our communities here

Toxic fire foam chemicals reach town supply in Marlborough

More properties are testing positive for toxic chemicals in the groundwater near Base Woodbourne, in Marlborough, with drinking water and irrigation supplies affected.

The Ministry for the Environment says there is no immediate health risk to residents, but a precautionary approach is being taken as long-term effects are uncertain.

But one of the wells feeding the tap water of Blenheim residents has tested positive for the PFAS chemicals, while nine private wells used for stock watering or fodder irrigation have levels exceeding milk consumption screening values.  Read full article

Related articles and documents

Climate Change & Stormwater and Wastewater Systems

Motu Note #29, Communities and climate change: Vulnerability to rising seas and more frequent flooding here

View Motu Note #28, Coastal drains and pipes combined with climatic change, need thought and action here.

$700,000 fine for making false and misleading representations about ‘flushable’ wipes

Water New Zealand is behind the Australian Water Association who is welcoming the judgement of the Federal Court of Australia to fine Pental $700,000 for making false and misleading representations about their White King ‘flushable’ wipes. As an industry, we all understand the negative impact these products have on our water utilities which is why there have been a number of great campaigns to raise awareness, including Sydney Water’s Keep Wipes out of Pipes campaign. You can download the technical paper about it here.

PFOS, PFOA

Environmental Protection Authority 

Guidance on disposing of fire-fighting foams containing PFOS. 


Concentrations of Selected Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Serum of New Zealanders

Technical Report No. 34, A report for the Ministry of Health, Wellington

Prepared by the Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR), Massey University, Wellington, 4 October 2013

View the document here.


ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING FIRE-FIGHTING FOAMS IN USE BY NEW ZEALAND FIRE SERVICE

Institute of Environmental Science and Research, June 2017

View the document here.


Government agencies are working together to fully understand and address the issue of PFAS contamination following revelations that traces of the banned substance used in firefighting foam have been found in groundwater near some Defence Force bases.

Agencies investigating the issue include Ministry for the Environment (MfE), NZ Defence Force (NZDF), Ministry of Health (MoH), Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ).

PFAS is an acronym for a group of chemical compounds known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. They are a class of man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1950s in the production of a wide range of products that resist heat, stains, grease and water, including furniture protectants, floor wax, non-stick cookware and specialised firefighting foams. This widespread, but low level, use means most people have some exposure to PFAS without known health consequence. Use of PFOS has been illegal since 2006.

Products containing PFOs must never be dumped in landfill or sewerage sites, on in the environment on land or in water, even if they have been diluted or absorbed into an inert material. Go to the following links for more information.

https://www.epa.govt.nz/news-and-alerts/alerts/managing-fire-fighting-foams-manufactured-with-pfas-chemicals/
https://www.epa.govt.nz/news-and-alerts/alerts/please-check-to-see-if-you-have-3m-light-water-fire-fighting-foam/


Charging for water use

EDITORIAL: Any politician worth their salt knows never to waste a crisis.

Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel softly dropped the idea in recent days that it might be time for her city to reconsider the vexed issue of charging based on water usage.

Coming as the Garden City responds to dealing with a multi-million dollar bill to fend off pressure for permanent chlorination, the debate is essential, even if it has been had many times before.

View the full article here

American “Farm Bill” Protecting Sources of Drinking Water

The American Water Works Association cheers the new “Farm Bill” which brings more attention to the issue of protecting sources of drinking water through conservation practices funded by the Farm Bill. See more here, including a short YouTube animation: https://www.awwa.org/publications/connections/connections-story/articleid/4961/awwa-cheers-drinking-water-protection-measures-in-farm-bill.aspx

Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR)

Hydralinc Australia have developed a new tool based on ARR 2016 blockage of hydraulic structures for flood and stormwater modelling. It is available free to download here

SOLGM Media Release - Southland District Council Engineer wins Local Government Emerging Leader Award

Southland District Council’s Senior Project Engineer for Water and Waste Services, Matt Keil, was awarded local government’s prestigious Brookfields Emerging Leader of Year Award last night at a Gala Dinner held in Auckland.

View the full release here.  

Chlorine could last for years

Christchurch mayor adamant city's water supply will be chlorine-free in 12 months, despite report saying could take 3 years.

The cost to secure the city's water supply has skyrocketed from $630,000 to more than $21.5 million as the Christchurch City Council looks at long-term options to prevent the Government from making chlorination mandatory. .

The council decided in January to chlorinate the water for up to 12 months while it repaired 103 well heads, which were found to be unsafe and vulnerable to pollution from dirty surface groundwater. Read more

Whose water is it anyway?

Fresh water today is slippery business. Large amounts of the resource are being siphoned into the pockets of private, overseas bottle companies by virtue of council consents. Farmers pump water for no fee, turning water to milk and rivers to dust. The citizen is watering her lawns and leaving her taps running.

It seems that everyone is eager to get their hands wet.

Beneath the issue of water allocation lurks the deeper question of ownership rights. Who really owns this coveted blue gold?

The Resource Management Act 1991 and other statutes are silent on the issue of water ownership, thus the issue is floating in the open… Read more

'Shocking' how bad waterways have become

New Zealand faces big challenges, including a ``shocking decline'' in the state of our waterways, Environment Minister David Parker warned yesterday.

New Zealand faces big challenges, including a ``shocking decline'' in the state of our waterways, Environment Minister David Parker warned yesterday. Read more

Councils are already struggling with swimmability targets.

ANALYSIS: New Zealand's unswimmable rivers, by length, would span around 14,000 kilometres end to end. It is roughly the distance between Auckland and New York. If Michael Phelps was swimming at max speed, 24 hours a day, it would take him two months to traverse our polluted rivers.

The scale of restoring those rivers is enormous, and the task has largely been left to local authorities. We now know they will struggle, with the bill likely to be in the billions of dollars to get just a part of the way there.

When the former Government announced a nationwide swimmability standard early last year, the backlash was immediate. The standard, based on E coli levels over time, was described as confusing, even by the county's top freshwater scientists. Read more

Water company a missed opportunity

Waipa District Council is standing its ground, having voted for a second time not to form a water company with Hamilton City Council. But the council’s 7-6 vote against the proposal, which was identical to the previous vote which came under stern criticism from many outside organisations, will likely not spell the end of the story. Read more

Govt to honour earlier irrigation commitments

The Government has begun winding down public subsidies for large-scale irrigation projects, but has agreed to honour previous commitments to existing schemes and three that are still in the works.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the wind-down - signalled in the Government's confidence and supply agreement - came after a review into how to tail off funding through Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd (CIIL), while honouring existing commitments. Read more

Regional councils set draft regional targets for swimmable lakes and rivers

Regional councils are this month announcing draft targets that are a step towards the goal of 90 per cent of rivers and lakes being swimmable by 2040.

The draft regional targets draw on information contained in a report prepared jointly by Regional Councils, the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Primary Industries, with advice from technical experts. Councils have until the end of this year to discuss the draft regional targets with their communities and finalise them.

See more

Water chlorinating underway in Christchurch

The process of flushing Christchurch's water supply with chlorine is underway, ending its reign as the only major New Zealand city not to treat its water. Full story

Hawke's Bay company facing a $600,000 fine over discharges into estuary

A company in Hawke's Bay faces a fine of up to $600,000 for discharging waste into Ahuriri Estuary.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council has taken enforcement action twice in the last four months - once against an individual and once against a company.

In the latter incident, in December, a company, which the council has not named, discharged by-product and yard waste into the stormwater system, which found its way into the estuary.

After an investigation by the regional council pollution response team, the company has been prosecuted, although a date for the hearing has not yet been set. Read more

Christchurch starts chlorinating its water

The Christchurch City Council earlier this year, in the wake of the Havelock North water contamination episode, decided on temporary chlorination because its below-ground wells were not sufficiently sealed to eliminate the risk of contamination.

The water supply in the Brooklands, Kainga and Spencerville areas will be the first to be treated today and by the end of April the entire city's supply should be chlorinated. Read more

Opinion: It’s time ratepayers stopped picking up the bill for tourists.

OPINION: If you've been to Europe or the US recently, or any number of tourist destinations around the world, chances are you've paid a tourist tax for the privilege.

New York and Chicago do it. France, Spain, Germany and Switzerland do it. They all have ways of allowing tourists to contribute to the funding of infrastructure and attractions they use.

And now the time has come to empower New Zealand's local authorities to be able to charge tourists to help pay for the localised infrastructure they use. Ratepayers pay more than their fair share. It's time that other users contributed, too. Read more

World Water Day time to celebrate community efforts

Hon David Parker

Minister for the Environment

MEDIA STATEMENT

22 March 2018

World Water Day time to celebrate community efforts to improve water quality

World Water Day is a time to celebrate the efforts of the many thousands of New Zealanders who are taking action to improve water quality and restore our streams, lakes and rivers, says Environment Minister David Parker.

“That’s why I was glad to join the students and staff of Koraunui School today and I congratulate them on their excellent efforts over the past five years to improve the state of the Stokes Valley Stream,” Mr Parker says. Read more

Wetlands hold secret ingredient of future water quality

Wetlands are the kidneys of the land – filtering, absorbing and transforming contaminants before they can affect streams or lakes. DairyNZ's water science team and NIWA experts share how wetlands benefit water quality.

Wetlands are the kidneys of the land – filtering, absorbing and transforming contaminants before they can affect streams or lakes. DairyNZ's water science team and NIWA experts share how wetlands benefit water quality. Read more

No action on rising seas without law change

Coromandel property owners and buyers will soon get a heads-up about sea level risk. But councils say they need a law change before they can properly implement long-awaited government guidance on rising seas, reports Eloise Gibson.

People considering buying property on the Coromandel Peninsula may notice something new if they request a land information report: a pointer to an online simulator showing potential future flooding. Read more

Shane Te Pou: Water the Government’s biggest fault line

The country’s most valuable asset is being taken off shore, and degraded back home, writes Shane Te Pou. So why hasn’t anything been done?

Rumblings from Wellington suggest that water policy is the biggest fault line for the so-far, so-stable coalition government, both within and between Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens.

The parties need to find a way to stop those rumblings becoming deep fissures.

All three made water a strong part of their pitches to the electorate last year, prompted by two related themes: bottled water exports, and the state of our waterways. Read more

Phil Goff’s legacy plan - 1000 clean beaches

Phil Goff is speed dating journalists.

He wants money. More than that, he wants public buy-in, so when the Auckland Council spends this money ratepayers will be happy about it.

To do that you first have to paint a grim picture - in this case, of polluted Auckland beaches that have seen swim events cancelled and residents staying dry on hot days.

When Aucklanders get the message pollution has taken a grip, Goff figures they'll be ready for a targeted rate to pay for the clean up. Read more

Ecologist rejects ECan's 90 per cent swimmable rivers target

Massey University freshwater ecologist Mike Joy says Environment Canterbury's proposals to clean up Canterbury's rivers lack teeth and won't stop the ongoing decline.

Dr Joy's comments come in the wake of ECan's plan to make 92 per cent of all rivers in the region swimmable by 2030.

He was sceptical that ECan's approach would achieve the goals, particularly with its apparent reliance on farm environment plans. Read more

Chinese company drills water bore in Christchurch despite council warning

A Newshub investigation has found a Chinese company drilled a 170m bore hole on a Christchurch site so it can bottle water for export.

The hole has been drilled despite a warning from the Christchurch City Council that it could interfere with the public water supply.

Officials have concerns the site may be contaminated, and that the new borehole may strike water used by Christchurch people. Read more.

​PFAS contamination investigation underway

Government agencies are working together to fully understand and address the issue of PFAS contamination following revelations that traces of the banned substance used in firefighting foam have been found in groundwater near some Defence Force bases.

Agencies investigating the issue include Ministry for the Environment (MfE), NZ Defence Force (NZDF), Ministry of Health (MoH), Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ).

PFAS is an acronym for a group of chemical compounds known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. They are a class of man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1950s in the production of a wide range of products that resist heat, stains, grease and water, including furniture protectants, floor wax, non-stick cookware and specialised firefighting foams. This widespread, but low level, use means most people have some exposure to PFAS without known health consequence. Use of PFOS has been illegal since 2006.

Products containing PFOs must never be dumped in landfill or sewerage sites, on in the environment on land or in water, even if they have been diluted or absorbed into an inert material. Go to the following links for more information.

https://www.epa.govt.nz/news-and-alerts/alerts/managing-fire-fighting-foams-manufactured-with-pfas-chemicals/
https://www.epa.govt.nz/news-and-alerts/alerts/please-check-to-see-if-you-have-3m-light-water-fire-fighting-foam/

Chlorine protest at Hastings council drinking-water pop-up

Hastings district councillors, mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and council staff got more than they bargained for from their first community drinking-water "pop-up box" outside the Clive Community Hall yesterday morning.

Seven such public information sessions are being held this week, pitched as an opportunity for people to ask questions about the district's drinking water.

Dressed in bright yellow T-shirts at the mobile information trailer, council representatives faced some angry citizens, who questioned everything from how former mayor Lawrence Yule and chief executive Ross McLeod had kept their jobs after the Havelock North water crisis, to why there was a need to chlorinate drinking water. Read more

Date set for water chlorination In Christchurch

The temporary treatment of water will begin from March 26.

In December, the Canterbury Drinking Water Assessor advised the city council it no longer considered the city’s groundwater supply to be secure because some of the below ground well heads needed to be upgraded.

On January 25, the city council decided to temporarily treat the supply with chlorine while well head improvement work was completed.

“We’ve been working with our contractors to secure the necessary equipment and arranging for it to be adapted to suit our infrastructure,” general manager city services David Adamson said.

“We’ve also had to make sure we could get the necessary supply of chemical for treatment. We’re now confident that we can start chlorinating the water from March 26.” Read more

Wellington's summer heat results in record number of leaks in drinking-water pipes

It was a cracking summer in Wellington – so much so that it cracked a record number of water pipes.

Wellington City Council documents show a "record-breaking" 2140 leaks were reported in drinking-water pipes across the region in December – 762 more than in the same month the previous year.

The council's quarterly report, ending December 31, states old and brittle drinking water pipes were particularly vulnerable to cracking as the ground around them dried out. Read more

Water supply in the spotlight

BIG changes how Southland’s drinking water supply is managed are likely, Water New Zealand environmental scientist Jim Graham says.

Speaking at a seminar held by Water New Zealand representatives at the Kelvin Hotel last month, Mr Graham said councils should put aside money to fund upgrades of water purification and delivery systems and make sure drinking water supplies complied or risk prosecution.

About 20 people, including staff from various local councils in the south, attended the seminar, which focused on recommendations of the report from the official inquiry into the campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North last year, which killed three people.

“If we do nothing, I can guarantee you another Havelock North will happen. I can tell you 10 areas in New Zealand where that could happen now. Out of 67 districts, I can guarantee you 60 of these wouldn’t comply [with national standards] now,” Mr Graham said. Read more

Western Bay of Plenty learning lessons from Havelock North water contamination crisis

Lessons learned from the Havelock North bore water contamination crisis will be applied to the Western Bay District Council.

Far-reaching recommendations from the inquiry into how hundreds of Havelock North residents fell ill with gastroenteritis are expected to have the biggest impact on small privately-owned water supply schemes in rural Bay of Plenty.

The Western Bay of Plenty district is reliant on bores for its town supplies, so there was a big turnout of council staff to Friday's seminar at Baypark organised by Water New Zealand. Read more

Door still open for shared water company between Waipa and Hamilton

Hamilton City Council is holding the door open for a shared water company with Waipa District Council after a potential judicial review of the decision was received by Waipa.

After receiving the warning of a judicial review, Hamilton City Council understand that Waipa is seeking legal advice in light of the notice.

The Hamilton council resolved on December 12 last year to establish a Shared Waters Management Company with Waipa District Council, but on December 19, the Waipa council declined to proceed with a shared water company by a narrow majority.

The shared water company would manage water, wastewater and stormwater services for the region. Read more

Okains Bay residents want safe drinking water

Residents of a small Banks Peninsula village are calling on the Christchurch City Council to build a $2.6 million water scheme so they can safely drink the tap water. See more

Sewage sinks swim

The Auckland leg of a national ocean swim race is being relocated this summer because of poor water quality at its North Shore beach home.

This announcement is the latest in a series of growing concerns regarding Auckland's water quality. Read more

Ministerial Review Better Responses to Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies

During 2017 the Government undertook a review into the civil defence system in NZ. The results were published in late November last year, and officials are now considering what changes to the Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) system. Change is afoot and so it’s timely to reflect on the likely direction of travel, since water utilities are a central plank of resilience considerations in emergency management.

The Engineering Leadership Forum, of which Water NZ is a member, made submissions to and appeared before the review panel. What follows is an edited summary of the review recommendations.

New Zealanders expect a national emergency management system that can be relied on to work well when needed. That calls for a system that is underpinned by clear roles and responsibilities, good information and communication, the right capability and resources, and that makes the most of local knowledge - balanced with the need for specialist expertise and national capability. This is in keeping with the intent of the current legislation.

However, practice over the past fifteen years has not always matched this intent. The result is marked variations in practice and patchy capability across the country, and different understandings about roles, responsibilities and authority. Ensuring public confidence in the emergency management system requires strengthening the application of current legislation, consistent with the intent of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act (CDEM Act), together with some changes to allow stronger national-level leadership, direction and standards.

The review considered that change is needed to the functions, structures, and culture at the national level. They recommend establishing a proactive national emergency management agency to provide national coordination and support in local emergencies, national control in national emergencies, and to lift CDEM performance overall.

This includes professional leadership for the emergency management sector and a far stronger role in setting and enforcing national standards. The national agency must also provide assurance that those standards are being met. They see merit in the national director having stronger powers to direct and to ensure that responses to emergencies take account of national interests. In all emergencies – regardless of scale – the consequences affect people, local economies, and communities.

It is clear that local leadership, knowledge, and engagement with those affected communities is integral to supporting trust and confidence and to ensuring an effective response. The review recommends that mayors should have primary authority for declaring states of local emergency under the CDEM Act, and providing the option to declare a ‘major incident’ in order to signal the significance of an event and achieve public recognition of the action being taken, without the extraordinary powers invoked under a state of emergency.

Organisational arrangements need to recognise that emergency response will require territorial, regional, and national capabilities in all but the most minor events. Emergencies can quickly escalate from a contained community event to a cross-district/regional emergency. The reality of how emergencies develop, the current legislative and institutional arrangements, and human nature, all contribute to the risk of not realising an emergency is beyond one’s capability and capacity until far too late.

The current legislation intended that emergency management would be a consortium of territorial and regional effort (exercised through regional Groups). The review report recommends that intent needs to be strengthened. The majority view in the report recommends requiring the development of more formalised shared service arrangements, implemented by the regional or unitary council, to strengthen a Group-wide approach and accountability. This would be supported with consistent Group Emergency Management Office structures.

Iwi need to have a major role in regionally based arrangements. Currently the resources, capability, and social capital of iwi to assist in emergency response is not recognised in legislation, and specific needs of Māori, whanau, hapū, and iwi are often not recognised in Group plans. The review found a compelling case for iwi to be represented at all levels of the Group structure. As a result, they recommend clearer protocols with iwi, and full participation of iwi in coordination and planning structures.

There is a need for far greater professionalisation of emergency management in the CDEM system. Key roles in the system are often part-time. There is no real career path. Training and professional development is very patchy and there are no required professional standards or accreditation. Even with the best will in the world, emergency management responsibilities do not always get the priority they deserve (often an add-on to people’s ‘day jobs’). Despite the statutory requirement for Groups to have “suitably trained and competent personnel for effective emergency management in their areas”, there is no assurance that the people on the spot will have the training, capability, or aptitude needed to respond to an emergency. No one wants response efforts being undermined by having the wrong person in the job.

The report recommends that all staff in emergency management roles meet national standards for professional development and training, and key roles (for example, the Controller role) have national accreditation. Group effort needs to be backed with national capability that can be deployed as required. The recommendation to establish a cadre of professionals to act as ‘fly-in teams’ first surfaced in the Review of the CDEM Response to the 22 February Christchurch Earthquake. It received strong support then and was endorsed in many submissions received for this current review.

There are examples of surge capacity teams deployed at the regional level, in other emergency response services, and internationally. Details of the capabilities required and the most appropriate operating model will need to be worked through. The starting point should be the functions in the CIMS1 framework – controllers, planning, operations, logistics, intelligence (including science), communications, and welfare – drawn from the agencies best placed to provide these capabilities.

Local context and circumstances are important and must be taken into account in any response. But there is also a national interest in ensuring that the system will work when needed. There is a real need for some consistency, standardisation and agreed protocols (for example, in operating practice and procedures, structures, signage, roles and responsibilities). This allows Groups to support each other, and to help coordination (including, for example, deploying fly-in teams and managing cordons). The current legislation allows for this.

The report recommends greater national consistency and standards, and a more robust system of audit and assurance to ensure those standards are met. CDEM legislation is not as clear as one might expect. The authority to act, or the authority to task someone, either does not exist or is not clear. This situation can lead to a lack of coordination, no one really in charge, and the risk of poor outcomes for the community. There is a strong need to clarify that Group (and national) Controllers have control authority - the authority to task other agencies - under a state of emergency. Authority must be backed by joined-up intelligence to support decision-making, with systems that allow agencies to work to a common operating picture. New Zealand’s intelligence infrastructure and hardware has been inadequate in recent emergencies, although agencies individually have a lot of capability to draw on. Recent advances in technology could help provide better intelligence for emergency management.

The report believes a new fit-for-purpose all-of-government 24/7 monitoring, alerting, and warning centre is required, and recommends investigating existing technologies available internationally to support a common operating picture. Effective responses rely on good communications to affected communities, to the public, and to decision makers. Mayors (and Ministers) will always front in emergencies, but they will need support to do that well. Social media is increasingly important, both as a source of intelligence, and as a communications channel. There are a variety of recommendations around improving communications.

MOH Updates

DWO User Survey and Update February 2018

Please find below a message from Ministry of Health and BECA that will be of interest to members.

With the New Year marching on, Ministry of Health thought it was time for another DWO update. Below you can read about how DWO has progressed over the last few months. A response document to a list of issues raised is also attached.

As always, you can contact the support desk on 0800 620 383 or support@drinkingwateronline.nz for any questions you have or help you require in using Drinking-Water Online.

You can also take the opportunity directly to give us feedback through a DWO User Survey.

To ensure the project team are capturing and recording your user experiences and feedback fully, we have set up a user survey through Survey Monkey. Your feedback and input is invaluable for gathering the sort of intel that will ensure the solution is and remains fit for purpose into the future. The aim is to assess the rollout of the Drinking Water Online (DWO) solution generally and determine what improvements need to be made in order for it to support the collection of information of the 2017-2018 Annual Report on Drinking-water Quality (and beyond).
Whilst the initial build is constrained by scope and budget, and aims to deliver a very specific tool that ensures the Ministry of Health are meeting their legislative requirements, we are acutely aware of the need and desire for continued improvement – primarily informed by the users themselves. The following link will take you directly to the survey (you may need to cut and paste this URL into your browser): www.surveymonkey.com/r/DWOusersurvey. The survey will remain available until 28 February 2018. Please share the link with those as you see fit.

PROGRESS UPDATE

1. Support Desk
2. Enhancements to functionality
3. User Manual Updated
4. User Uptake of Solution
5. Archiving WINZ 6 & 7 Data
6. Compliance Module

1. SUPPORT DESK support@drinkingwateronline.nz
Remember to contact the support desk should you experience any issues using the solution. They will endeavour to answer your query then and there or will put you in touch with someone who can. All user issues and feedback are captured electronically by our team which ensures we have an accurate record of what needs to be done, including future enhancements.

2. ENHANCEMENTS TO FUNCTIONALITY
Drinking-Water Online was first demonstrated to users in March 2017, and much feedback was received and considered. Since that date, and right through 2017, improvements were progressively made to DWO, and we plan and anticipate further improvements as resourcing allows.

Some of the improvements made over the last months include: Samples in: the Batch Converter has been improved, and is routinely used by some to add hundreds of test results in each batch. Compliance with the Standards is automatically calculated. Samples out: you can now extract sample results for multiple zones and plants into one spreadsheet in one step. This includes pre-extract filtering for sample dateMost data tables now default to active items only, with an option to see inactive ones only if needed. Where data tables are long, such as for samples, the latest entries now are shown at the top of the list. Data tables have been optimised to show column headings of most value to users. Almost every column can be used for filtering or sorting the table. range, sample purpose, sample name series, determinand, test method, etc. Water carriers has been streamlined to include a registration history, zone list for extractions and a full list of current tankers. Compliance Quarters have been improved so that they automatically default on creation to showing current WSP and treatment status. That status can be entered and maintained by DWAs directly against the supply or plant, etc., as soon as it is known. This allows DWO to present supply treatment and WSP status at any time, and the quarterly or annual compliance steps can be primarily a confirmation rather than a finding-out step.

3. USER MANUAL UPDATED
Following recent tweaks and improvements to the solution, you will see that the user manual has undergone an update. As this is a dynamic document that will grow and evolve as the solution does, it is recommended that you just click on the latest version on the DWO Home page and read it there. However you can download the current PDF if you prefer.

4. USER UPTAKE OF SOLUTION
Firstly, it is pleasing to see that there has been continued uptake of the solution by users from around the country – no mean feat when this involves having to learn a new system, so we thank you all for your patience and perseverance. We anticipate that as you become more familiar with the solution and you have completed the initial transitional exercises of setting up your views, such as import spreadsheets and treatment plant fields, that the day-to-day use of the solution will become much simpler. We have been tracking the statistics of user uptake of the solution since ‘Go-Live’ and as of mid-January, 262 roles have been registered in DWO, including 170 for suppliers. Those users have added 35,200 test samples, including 29,600 tests for E. coli. The rate of user entries is trending steeply upwards, as almost a third of those samples were entered in January alone.
We encourage you all to help grow this user-base by championing the solution. This can be achieved by sharing your knowledge or simply directing others to sign up through the support desk on support@drinkingwateronline.nz.

5. ARCHIVING WINZ 6 & 7 DATA
As you know, active support for WINZ 6 and WINZ 7 is now ceasing. It is the responsibility of each organisation to determine their individual storage needs and responsibilities for archiving WINZ 6 & 7 data.
WINZ 6 will continue to be accessible for several months in 2018, but will then be withdrawn without further announcement. To assist PHUs and contributing suppliers in maintaining a record of key data from the recent years of the Annual Survey, ESR will provide each organisation with an extract of this data, scoped according their supply responsibilities, in Microsoft Excel format. Assuming all reviews of the 2016/17 data have been completed, this will be provided by 31 March 2018.
With regards to WINZ 7 data, each PHU already holds their own dataset locally in a Microsoft Access file. If any supplier would prefer their archived test sample data to be available to them in Excel or csv format, they should contact ESR, who will offer this service on a cost recovery basis until 1 December 2018. Several hours work would typically be involved. The spreadsheet would give suppliers a convenient view of all analytical test results and their transgression status, independent of the WINZ 7 application, and with the potential to filter by date range, determinand, zone or plant code/name, etc. (Note that the default offer is for samples only, so excludes quarterly compliance, etc.)
If there is sufficient interest in this extraction service from suppliers, the Ministry may also facilitate a similar extraction from WINZ 7 at the PHU level, using current Ministry-ESR contracts.

6. COMPLIANCE

Compliance quarters are part of the database design and you will now be in a position to use the July to September 2017 and October to December 2017 quarterly periods to assess water supplier performance using monitoring data inputted. We encourage you to go to the compliance module and check it out as there have been significant changes and improvements to this module since Go-live.


Publication of water safety plans and DWA reports

Text from Ministry of Health

"As you are aware, the Stage Two report into Havelock North drinking-water contamination event recommended numerous improvements to the drinking-water framework for New Zealand.

The findings discussed the accountability of stakeholders involved in the supply of safe drinking-water and stated that several parties have responsibility and that high levels of care and diligence are necessary to protect public health. The Inquiry found that “There is an inadequate appreciation of the risks to drinking water, and the economic and health consequences of these risks, by both local government suppliers, and the public to whom those suppliers are accountable".

As you are aware, water suppliers have a range of legal obligations under Part 2A, including to prepare a water safety plan and to obtain approval of the plan from a drinking-water assessor. The status of a water safety plan (eg. drafted, submitted, redrafted, approved, implemented or not started) is captured in the annual reports on drinking-water quality published by the Director-General of Health. While the Annual Report - and status of water safety plans - is publicly available, the actual water safety plans are not.

As a result of the Inquiry findings, the Ministry is seeking to improve the transparency and accountability of water suppliers.

To support this initiative, the Director of Public Health has prepared the attached letter to drinking-water suppliers encouraging them to publish their approved water safety plans and associated drinking water assessor’s report on their website. It is the Ministry’s view that these documents can inform consumers about the safety and quality of their drinking-water and how the supply is being managed.

We have asked DHB public health managers to forward this letter to all large and medium networked suppliers in their regions, and to work with their water suppliers to ensure the approved water safety plans and associated drinking-water assessor reports are publicly available."

Freshwater policy update

Minister for the Environment, David Parker, has signalled that he wants to toughen up water quality standards. What this will look like and the timing for any changes is not yet clear although he has said he wants to move very quickly.

This is worth a read https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/100641348/fresh-start-for-water-quality-standards

Minister Parker has recently asked the Land and Water Forum for advice by the end of May 2018 to inform his freshwater policy work programme. Water New Zealand would like to see members get involved in shaping this advice. If you are interested in helping with this, please get in touch with charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz or call her on 04 495 0893.

The Ministry for the Environment is also running an urban good management practices work programme to support implementation of the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) in urban areas. A number of Water NZ members are involved.

Water New Zealand is considering what we can do to better support members grapple with the NPS-FM and ensure 3 waters sector interests are well represented in regional planning processes happening round the country. We can’t be active in every region submitting on plans. But we can:

  • Listen to member concerns and feed them into the policy processes underway.
  • Identify hot topics and work to resolve them.
  • For example, the existing resource consent consistency project has clear links to this freshwater work. We will be looking to progress the relevant aspects of that project via the workstreams above.
  • Identify technical priorities and new capability challenges that the NPS-FM will bring and progress them where possible.
  • Provide you with information to better understand the NPS-FM and what it means for you.

For our territorial authority members some questions to think about:

  • If you are an Infrastructure Manager, are you in regular contact with your policy / planning team to ensure your views are being fed into regional planning processes?
  • If you are in policy / planning, are you in regular contact with relevant regional council staff who are running regional planning discussions where these are in progress?
  • Do you feel your 3 waters operational issues are being represented well during regional planning discussions? If not, what could be improved? Feel free to get in touch and let us know your thoughts.

To discuss any of these issues, please contact charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz or call on 04 495 0893.

Development of rainfall and runoff guidelines has begun!

It is only a few small steps and there is a lot more work to do. But it is a step in the right direction.

Check out the project page for a summary of results from the screening survey and some mini-projects that the Steering Group have initiated.

We still have no funding and work is being done by volunteers.

If you are involved in the science challenges, or know people who are, you may be able to help. The science challenge are currently reviewing progress to date to determine priorities for funding in 2019.

The three science challenges most relevant to this work are:

  • Building better homes, towns and cities
  • Resilience to nature’s challenges and
  • The deep south (because it includes climate change adaptation aspects)

Water NZ and/or the Steering Group will pursue this opportunity directly. But if you are involved in the challenges, or know people who are, then by all means communicate the importance of the rainfall and runoff work and why it should be included in the next phase of challenge work. The more voices singing the same tune, the more likely we can get traction on this important initiative.

University of Canterbury new course 2018: Infrastructure systems - Criticality and Lifelines

The University of Canterbury has released a new Masters course Infrastructure Systems - Criticality and Lifelines, to be delivered later this year. Please find the course outline attached.

  1. Practitioner Symposium

Please put Tuesday 28th August in your calendars. I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up a programme for our “Practitioner Symposium” day, and notionally put your name in there, for some of you I’ve suggest a topic. However the actual content I will leave to you.

A few things:

  • I’ve scheduled 30 minutes each, it’s up to you how much seminar/discussion balance you want, but I suggest 25 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for questions/discussion. We’ll need to be a bit flexible. We can change the order if necessary.
  • You are welcome to attend the whole day, and I hope you do. Breaks and lunch will be catered. It would be great if as many as possible could attend the 4-5 p.m. session on “Synthesis, unifying themes, lessons learned”.
  • We’ll also take you out to dinner!
  • As you start to pull together a presentation, please also compile a list of required/recommend readings for your topic.
  • Those of you flying/driving to Christchurch, I can arrange flights and accommodation as needed. Please let me know.

The proposed programme:

Tuesday 28th August

0900-0905 Welcome and housekeeping
0905-0935 Roger Fairclough - International and NZ perspectives, Treasury
0935-1005 Mark Gordon - Canterbury Lifelines
1005-1035 James Thompson - Canterbury CDEM
1035-1100 Break
1100-1130 Orion? TBD
1130-1200 Irmana Garcia Sampedro - Christchurch & Kaikōura, impacts and lessons for asset management
1200-1230 Mike Gillooly - urban resilience
1230-1330 Lunch
1330-1400 Greg Preston - NZ 3 Waters initiatives
1400-1430 Rod Cameron - System for action
1430-1500 Rob Daniel - West Coast CDEM/Lifelines, Alpine Fault preparation
1500-1530 Break
1530-1600 Matthew Hughes - Lifelines research overview/co-creating knowledge
1600-1700 Synthesis, unifying themes, lessons learned
1700-1830 Drinks
1830- Dinner

  • 2.Resilience Assessment

The includes a Final Project – Infrastructure Resilience Assessment, which will be due at the end of Semester 2 (i.e. several weeks after the end of the Block Course). This will use a resilience assessment tool for a given utility’s network/components. I would like to partner each student with a mentor/contact to do this. The goal is to conduct a resilience assessment of practical use to the utility.

Water Complaints Scheme established by Utilities Disputes

Utilities Disputes has announced the creation of a Water Complaints Scheme - a free, independent and fair dispute resolution service for complaints about water services. Watercare is the first water provider to join the Scheme, and Utilities Disputes Commissioner Nanette Moreau hopes to welcome other providers in the near future.

Watercare Chief Executive, Raveen Jaduram says "Here at Watercare we work very hard to answer our customers’ queries and satisfy any complaints, but sometimes disputes aren’t easily resolved. This new service means customers have free access to an independent referee when all other avenues have been explored. The other benefit for us is that the Utilities Disputes team will then give us feedback to help us improve."

When a customer complaint cannot be resolved, Utilities Disputes team apply their dispute resolution skills to facilitate a constructive conversation between the customer and provider. If the complaint remains unresolved, the Utilities Disputes Commissioner can issue a decision.

Utilities Disputes works with providers to help resolve ongoing complaints, and to drive service improvements. By joining Utilities Disputes, providers demonstrate they value customer feedback and take complaints seriously.

Find out more. Utilities Disputes would like to meet with you to discuss the Scheme.

Contact: Annie Bannister, Provider and Communications Coordinator

Email: a.bannister@utilitiesdisputes.co.nz
Ph: 04 914 4539

www.utilitiesdisputes.co.nz

Deposit schemes reduce drink containers in the ocean by 40%

Plastic waste in the ocean is a global problem; some ten million metric tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean every year.

One possible solution – paying a small amount for returned drink containers – has been consistently opposed by the beverage industry for many years. But for the first time our research, published in Marine Policy, has found that container deposits reduce the amount of beverage containers on the coasts of both the United States and Australia by 40%.

What’s more, the reduction is even more pronounced in areas of lower socio-economic status, where plastic waste is most common.

Read the full article here.

Why do we need to treat groundwater to make it safe to drink?

This brochure was available to attendees of the Havelock North Inquiry Outcomes Seminars that were held through New Zealand during February and March 2018.

Brochure.pdf

Mike Joy opinion: Chlorinating water is admitting environmental failure

22 February 2018

The recent call for chlorination of all water supplies marks a sad landmark in New Zealand's environmental history. It is the latest in a series of related markers of freshwater pollution. We have reached the point where three quarters of our native freshwater fish species hit the threatened list and passed the point where more than half our rivers became unswimmable.

See more

Councils concerned by possible drinking water changes

Wholesale change is coming to New Zealand water supplies if the Havelock North drinking water inquiry has its way, and southern councils are worried about the costs to their water assets.

Water New Zealand environmental scientist Jim Graham and technical manager Noel Roberts were in Invercargill on Tuesday to explain the recommendations from the inquiry to southern council representatives.

Rivers more swimmable than ever in Horizons region

There is now evidence that the money and energy invested by farmers and the wider community in water quality improvement projects in the Manawatu-Rangitikei region are making a difference, with rivers more swimmable.

Federated Farmers Manawatū-Rangitikei President Richard Morrison, while welcoming the findings of an independent report commissioned by Horizons Regional Council and the Ministry for the Environment, said it was time to spend money on projects to clean up waterways rather than on legal action. Read more

Workforce Capability Strategy

Are you concerned about the capability challenges in our sector?

Some areas of New Zealand already struggle to recruit and retain good people. We are facing increasingly tougher standards and community expectations as well as a rapidly changing workforce. Our vocational education and training system will need to adapt but we need to provide sector leadership on what that should look like.

Water New Zealand is kicking off a project in 2018 that will explore these challenges and develop a strategy and plan of action for resolving them.

This will be a significant piece of work and Water New Zealand will need active member engagement to deliver it. We welcome member donations of time and/or funding to enable this work to proceed.

Click here for more information about the project.

Here's one final challenge for miracle-worker Jacinda - Bring drinking water fountains to New Zealand's playgrounds and parks.

Now that she's tamed the fearsome Titewhai, and brought peace to the battlefields of Waitangi, here's one final challenge for miracle-worker Jacinda. Bring drinking water fountains to New Zealand's playgrounds and parks.

The challenge comes from Professor Nick Wilson of Otago University in the latest New Zealand Medical Journal following a survey of lower North Island parks revealed that only 11 of 54 children's playgrounds had drinking water available. In Wellington City, the percentage was down to just 6 per cent. Read more

​Councils and water sector eager to grasp Havelock North implications

30 January 2018

There’s been an overwhelming response to a series of seminars around the country on the future of water delivery in this country following the Havelock North inquiry.

Water New Zealand Technical Manager Noel Roberts says Water New Zealand is running the seminars starting tomorrow (Wednesday 31 January) so that water suppliers can better understand how the findings if fully adopted will affect the delivery of drinking water and what this could mean for the water sector.

The inquiry identified a myriad of major problems in the way drinking water has been managed and delivered.

Noel Roberts says most of the 17 seminars around the country through February and March, aimed at council officials, local body politicians and water managers, have already been booked out.

“Water suppliers have clearly understood the need to be fully aware of the implications of the inquiry and the effect this is likely to have on their delivery of drinking water.

“While the government has yet to respond to the recommendations it is clear there will be significant and long overdue changes in the management of drinking water in this country.”

The inquiry recommended the creation of a new drinking water regulator and the mandatory treatment of drinking water, including the use of a residual disinfectant.

It also identified the lack of competence and training in the sector and called for a mandatory training and qualifications regime to be established for all.

Feedback sought on ISO proposal to develop a community scale resource oriented sanitation treatment systems standard

Standards NZ have received notification from ISO about a proposed NWIP in relation to ‘community scale resource oriented sanitation treatment systems’. Details on the standard are attached. Standards are seeking feedback on whether you think this work should go ahead at ISO, specifically they are interested in your position on the following questions:

1. Is this New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) relevant to New Zealand?

2. Should the work proceed if the NWIP is registered by ISO?

3. Are there any relevant documents from New Zealand that ISO should consider as part of the development of this work (e.g. Standards, Regulations, Industry Guidelines)?

4. Do you have any additional comments?

5. If a project committee is established do you believe New Zealand should participate in the work, observe the work or not participate in the work?

If you have any comments/feedback, could you please provide it to isoadmin@standards.co.nz by Friday 9th February.

Water New Zealand welcomes Christchurch water chlorination decision

Water New Zealand welcomes Christchurch water chlorination decision

25 January 2018

Christchurch City Councillors have made the right decision today to chlorinate the city’s water supply.

Water New Zealand Technical Manager Noel Roberts says chlorination is the most cost-effective means of minimising the risk of public illness as a result of water contamination and should be seen as the last barrier of protection.

However he says that it is concerning that the councillors have also decided to oppose any Government move to impose permanent chlorination.

“Chlorination is an effective barrier against contamination because it protects the entire drinking water network.

“If Christchurch councillors want to avoid chlorination they need to ensure that the water is safe for drinking and this inevitably means some form of treatment or alternatively a very costly engineering, maintenance and monitoring programme across the entire network.

“This has yet to be determined with the review of the Drinking Water Standards.”

The Government Inquiry into the Havelock North drinking water contamination has recommended the removal of the secure bore status from the Drinking Water Standards along with the introduction of mandatory water treatment.

Govt should pay for NZ water chlorination - expert

A water engineer says the treatment of drinking water isn't a local issue anymore and should be addressed - and paid for - at a national level. His call comes as Christchurch city council votes on whether to chlorinate its water supply temporarily - and Timaru is considering a permanent move for some supplies - if it can get the money. Listen to interview

Christchurch water chlorination urgently needed to protect public health

24 January 2018

Water New Zealand strongly supports the call for Christchurch’s water to be chlorinated.

Technical manager Noel Roberts says untreated ground water cannot be guaranteed to be safe and councils that do not treat drinking water are taking a risk with the health and safety of their communities.

The latest call to treat Christchurch’s water has come from the Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey following the removal of the city’s “secure bore status” and an engineering report that identified defects with the bore heads.

Noel Roberts says one of the key recommendations from the Havelock North inquiry is the removal of the classification of secure bore status from the Drinking Water Standards.

“This is because it is virtually impossible to guarantee that ground water is free from contamination.

“That’s why Water New Zealand is now urging all water suppliers to ensure they chlorinate any untreated ground water supply.”

He says Christchurch City Councillors will be taking a risk with public health if they vote against chlorinating Christchurch’s water at tomorrow’s meeting.

“The Havelock North contamination is a sobering reminder of the tragic consequences that can happen when a council fails to ensure its community’s water supply is properly protected.”

Water New Zealand will be running a series of seminars throughout the country next month so that water suppliers can better understand how the Havelock North inquiry findings will affect the delivery of drinking water.

Christchurch's water should be temporarily treated after report finds drinking wells 'may be susceptible to contamination'

Christchurch's drinking water should be temporarily chlorinated after it was found the city's wells may be in danger of contamination, Canterbury's public health boss recommended.

An assessment of underground well heads found some with cracked surrounds and inadequate seals, meaning they may be vulnerable to pollution from surface groundwater.

The Christchurch City Council has known about the risk since December 22 when the Canterbury Water Assessor removed the city's secure bore status, but only made the information public on Tuesday. Read more

Life on the edge

This follows two reports from Niwa, warning the country tends to react to events rather than prepare for them.

Local Government New Zealand president and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull told Nine to Noon many councils were unprepared and would not have the money to cope with erosion risk in their communities.

He said councils must be able to plan ahead and put restrictions in place to avoid building in at-risk areas.

"The reports recently released have identified there's a complete lack of adaptation planning, you can't wait for these things to happen, you have to be really proactive and the previous government pretty much buried its head in the sand." Read more

Chch council gets Havelock response update

Christchurch City Council will get an update on how staff are responding to the Havelock North drinking water inquiry that set up a raft of recommendations to improve the nation's inadequate water supply.

The council's recess committee held an extraordinary meeting on February 16 to consider a report on below ground wellheads.

Minutes of that meeting are on the agenda for council's first full meeting of the year, although they're also tagged to be heard during the public exclusion period.

"We have had ongoing briefings from staff since the Havelock North inquiry. At a meeting of the council's recess committee last week, we received an update on where staff were at responding to the inquiry findings," Mayor Lianne Dalziel said. Read more

Timaru Council proposes water charging for infrastructure upgrade

Water meters may be on the cards for the Timaru District with the release of the area's draft financial strategy.

A draft of Timaru's financial strategy for the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan came before councillors at a full meeting on Tuesday.

Water metering was mentioned in the report, which said Timaru needed to consider the options for improving the resilience of Timaru's water supply. Read more

Hefty fines loom for Auckland property developers polluting waterways, leaving rubbish

One street at Flatbush in East Auckland was targeted today, with 13 of the 15 building sites failing to meet environmental standards.

"There's more of a keenness to build the properties than there is to actually look at how that's affecting the environment," said Adrian Wilson of Auckland Council compliance.

The big problem is what's in the gutter on the street concerned. Clay, cement and other sediments are streaming off the building sites, clogging up the stormwater system and polluting waterways. Read more

Residents call for better water

Residents of Waiuku have started a petition about the quality of their water. More than 1000 people signed the petition within 48 hours, which will be delivered to Auckland Council.

They are asking Watercare to investigate and take urgent steps to improve the safety and quality of the water source and treatment.

Residents are frustrated with the amount of chlorine, which they say is neither safe or pleasant. Read more and see petition

Fresh start for water quality standards

The Government is pushing ahead with plans to make freshwater standards stricter in a bid to improve water quality, the Minister for the Environment says.

Preliminary work to create a new national freshwater policy has begun, with formal plans expected to start by the middle of the year. See more

Bold decisions needed quickly to improve drinking water quality

Fixing our drinking water issues requires bold decisions and leadership by central government. Water New Zealand's CEO John Pfahlert, speaking on RNZ says it's imperative the government moves quickly to avoid another contamination outbreak. Listen to the Outspoken programme.

Govt urged to act quickly on drinking water changes

16 January 2017

The government is being urged to announce changes to improve drinking water quickly or risk losing support for change.See more

Masterton leaking 5 million litres a day

Water is one of New Zealand’s most precious commodities, yet we’re losing more than 101 billion litres of it every year through leaks and wastage. One of the worst offenders in terms of water wastage is Masterton. It loses about 5.6 million litres a day to council and residential leaks, according to Masterton District Council’s water management plan. See more.

Home truths on climate change: Kiwi lifestyles will need to adapt as climate change bites harder

Alistair Hughes decided to go off-grid to save money – but many of his home’s features may soon become necessities as Kiwi households learn to cope with the changing climate. The Wairarapa homeowner has solar panels on his roof, water tanks in his garden, and a toilet which feeds into a worm farm, producing fertiliser.

In the six years since he moved to self reliance, he has witnessed the disruptions that droughts and other extreme weather events have caused to water and electrical supplies both around his home, and in Wellington, where he works as a graphic artist at Stuff. Read full article

$3.3m to replace asbestos pipeline

A 9.1 kilometre cement trunk line at the centre of an asbestos scare in Temuka will be replaced by Easter at a cost of $3.3 million, the Timaru District Council has decided.

Mayor Damon Odey suggested during an extraordinary council meeting on Friday the replacement of the pipeline could be a blueprint for other councils, which would soon have to face the question of what to do with their asbestos pipes. He said he would recommend Local Government New Zealand used Temuka as a case study.

‘‘Drinking water standards and suitability is a major topic,’’ Odey said.

‘‘We need to provide some of our findings to the whole water sector.’’ Read full article

How we're wasting 100 billion litres of water every year

Water is one of New Zealand's most precious commodities, yet we're losing more than 101 billion litres of it every year through leaks and wastage.

The losses equate to almost 18 per cent of the total national supply of 572b litres, and are blamed on ageing and eroding supply systems, household leaks, pipes damaged by underground works, earthquakes and landslides, and metering errors.

The statistics were gathered by Water New Zealand for its 2015-16 national performance review, which compiled data from 50 participating councils, accounting for 90 per cent of the population. A review of 2016-17 is due out next month. Read full article

Expert says NZ rules around toxic foam contamination too lax - RNZ

An investigation has begun into toxic, banned firefighting foam to find out where it's still being used and stored. At the same time, a United States expert is warning that New Zealand's acceptable levels for drinking water contamination from the foam are way too lax. See more

Beneficial use of Organic Materials on Productive Land

Guidelines for beneficially reusing organic materials on productive land are under development. The guidelines will supersede 2003 Guidelines for the Safe Application of Biosolids to Land and include additional organic material such as animal manures, and other agricultural wastes, which also contain pathogens and contaminants. Water New Zealand, WasteMINZ, the Centre for Integrated Biowaste Research (CIBR) and the New Zealand Land Treatment Collective (NZLTC) together with the ministries of Environment, Health and primary Industries are collaborating on their delivery.

Nick Walmsley ran five regional meetings to discuss a draft during February 2017, which over 100 people attended. Meeting notes are available here. Twenty-three submissions from 36 individuals and organisations were subsequently received. The project Steering Group held a meeting to consider these submissions on 27 April 2017 and formulated a programme to update the draft . The Steering Group meeting notes and full copies of the submissions can be viewedhere.

The updated draft documents are now available for further public comment here. Submissions on this second draft will close at 5pm Friday, 9 March 2018. It is intended that the guidelines will be published by mid 2018. There will be no regional meetings to cover the second draft guidelines. Submissions should be emailed to nick.walmsley@waternz.org.nz

Statement from the Director-General of Health following the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry

The Director General of Health has just released the attached public health statement calling for improvements in drinking water identified in the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry to be actioned.

Read Full Statement

Water company rejected

A single council-owned company to manage water, wastewater and stormwater services is off the table.

At today's meeting, Waipa District Council rejected a recommendation to form a non-asset owning company alongside Hamilton City Council.

View the media release here.

QLDC to chlorinate all water

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will begin proactively disinfecting all water supplies under its control before Christmas.

The move will see water supplies in Luggate and Glendhu Bay chlorinated over summer, as well as some areas near Queenstown. Read more

Manawatu water being checked after Havelock North outbreak

Work is under way to ensure Manawatu's drinking water supplies are up to scratch, after the debilitating Havelock North gastro outbreak.

But someone familiar with the inquiry says it is too early to say if every water source in the country will need to be treated or not.

A report into the 2016 Havelock North gastro outbreak, released a week ago, made a swathe of recommendations about how drinking water should be handled.

It also found at least 750,000 people were drinking from "not demonstrably safe" water supplies. Read more

Chlorinating the water

Queenstown Lakes District Council has begun chlorinating the water in the region in reponse to the Havelock North contamination report. But the move has received criticism from Sustainable Glenorchy, who says it's "overkill". We ask the panellists if they're in favour of this action to clean up the water supply. Listen to debate by Radio New Zealands - The Panel

Poll rejects new council

We have been advised the progress results for the Wairarapa poll on a combined new Wairarapa District Council are sufficiently clear to call a result: Wairarapa electors have voted against the proposal.

Please find links to the Local Government Commission media release and the progress results form from Electionz.com.

Hamilton says yes to shared waters management company

Hamilton City Council has agreed to form a shared company with Waipa District Council to jointly manage water, wastewater and stormwater services.

View the full media release here.

Brian Rudman: Douse the water deniers

In the wake of the Havelock North mass poisoning inquiry, you do have to despair at what the democratic system can throw up — if I can use such an expression at this time.

For example, instead of punishing Lawrence Yule, the mayor of Hastings when 5500 or more of his electors were left clutching their toilet bowls as a result of the failure of the local water supply, they rose from their sick beds and elected him to Parliament as their local representative.

View the full article here.

Auckland water company joins the Leading Utilities of the World network

Watercare joins five new utilities members inducted during the American Water Summit, in Austin, TX

View the media release here.

Water New Zealand's Jim Graham, Noel Roberts: Ground water never safe

The findings and recommendations of stage 2 of the Havelock North water contamination inquiry released this December jolted many New Zealanders out of their 100 per cent pure misconception about groundwater quality.

The inquiry made it clear that untreated ground water is not safe to drink because it cannot be guaranteed as free from contamination.

While it pointed to widespread systemic failure in our drinking water systems, it also identified problems with our drinking water safety net, the decade-old New Zealand Drinking Water Standards. Read more

Waikato DHB told to make changes after losing drinking water accreditation

Waikato District Health Board has lost its drinking water accreditation.

International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) has confirmed the Waikato District Health Board (DHB) was formally notified on Friday that its accreditation for drinking water had been withdrawn.

Waikato DHB is contracted by the Ministry of Health to monitor 90 drinking water suppliers in the district.

In the meantime the DHB has been given permission from the Ministry of Health to continue to assess the water, but it could no longer associate itself with the IANZ brand. Read more

December NZLTC Newsletter

Please find below the December issue of the NZLTC newsletter. In it you will find a spotlight on research the National Science Challenge, The Deep South is doing and there are clear links to land treatment in NZ. Following on from this we have a special session planned for the conference (Rotorua 7-9th March 2018) on climate change and how this may drive future focus for land treatment. There will also be a technical review on the topic that will be co-ordinated following the session at the conference.

We would like to give out a final reminder to get your abstracts in for the conference and save the date!

View the newsletter here.

Hundreds of thousands Kiwis take 'reckless' risks drinking untreated water, experts say

Hundreds of thousands of people in New Zealand drink untreated water, a practice international experts say is "unacceptably risky".

Many of those people live in large cities, and expect the water they drink to be safe. But the inquiry into the Havelock North disaster said they were being given a false sense of security.

While the number of people drinking untreated water is quickly falling, as councils rush to chlorinate in fear of an outbreak similar to Havelock North, some communities are continuing to resist. Read more

Connexis Press Release: New Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Training Programme: Enrolments Open February 2018.

December 7, 2017: Connexis are pleased to announce that enrolments into the new water treatment plant operator training programmes will open in February 2018.

Find out more here.

Microbeads ban announced by Government

The Government will ban the sale and manufacture of plastic microbeads, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today.

The ban follows through on the plans of the previous Government, which had indicated a ban would be introduced and take effect by May 2018, and Ardern acknowledged this work in her post-cabinet press conference this afternoon.

Cabinet approved regulation to ban microbeads today. It will come into force in six months.

Microbeads are considered a menace to aquatic and marine environments as they can pass through filter systems. They are too small to retrieve or recycle, do not biodegrade, and marine life eat them causing long-term damage.

View the full article here.

Major reform urgently needed in drinking water supply

Water New Zealand is urging the Government to implement the recommendations of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry without delay.

Safe drinking water for all consumers has to be our key priority and our system needs to be able to deliver Water NewZealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert.

He says that while many councils do a good job providing safe drinking water, the Inquiry has clearly identified systemic problems in the regulation and supply of safe drinking water, and the need for major reform.

"Unless there are significant changes to the way drinking water is regulated, there is a serious risk of another contamination outbreak on the scale of Havelock North.

“This report provides a blue print for the Government to move forward to ensure that our drinking water meets the needs of what New Zealanders and visitors should expect from a modern 21st century developed world water supply.”

In particular, he says the report highlights an urgent need for an independent water regulator be established with the power and ability to enforce drinking water standards.

“We support the Inquiry recommendation that the Government create an establishment unit to oversee the creation of a new drinking water regulator.

The report also recommends that all public water supplies have mandatory treatment of drinking water, including the use of a residual disinfectant.

He says the report accurately identifies the lack of competence and training in the sector – something that the industry has known about for some time.

It calls for a mandatory training and qualification regime to be established for all operators, supervisors and managers working in the sector.

This is an initiative Water New Zealand is already acting on. The Association notes that the Inquiry has included recommendations in relation to the aggregation of water suppliers. Given that the Inquiry has observed this would lead to improved compliance, competence and accountability, Water New Zealand calls on the Government to further investigate this recommendation with some urgency.

Mr Pfahlert says this would enable the broad range of recommendations outlined in the Inquiry report to be implemented more effectively and efficiently.

“We simply cannot afford to have another water contamination event such as occurred in Havelock North. The outbreak resulted in many unnecessary cases of illness including loss of life, which has been tragic for those affected and their families. It has also tarnished our international reputation.

"Experts from around the world are now watching very closely to see how we respond to these findings.

“The inquiry has addressed all the key issues that have been concerning many in the sector for some time.

“It has produced a very thorough and well considered report. The inquiry asked the right questions and has come up with the right answers. We would urge that the Government implement the recommendations without delay because, if it does not, there is a serious risk of another similar contamination outbreak.”

Jim Graham and Noel Roberts: Lessons from Havelock North

The highly anticipated final report of the Havelock North drinking water inquiry is due to be released this week and many in the business of providing safe drinking water to New Zealanders are optimistic it will spur much-needed reform across the drinking-water sector. Read more

Will the government’s proposed export water bottle tax cause trade headaches?

A water lobby group doubts a tax on water would affect trade negotiations.

Labour made big promises before the election to tax exports of bottled water.

However, a leading trade negotiator has told MPs if they follow through with their promise, it would break trade agreements, including that with China and the revised TPP.

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert told Rachel Smalley it seems unlikely this would be the most pressing issue for the Government, because there's a bit of give and take in trade deals. Listen to John Pfahlerts interview

Napier residents’ water consumption nearly twice the national average.

Napier people are using almost twice as much water as the national average, as a water shortage crisis in the Hawke's Bay city deepens.

Discoloured water has been coming out of some taps as new water bores were brought online. Read more

Microbead ban welcomed

Minister for the Environment David Parker and Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage today welcomed Cabinet approval of the regulations banning microbeads.

Plastic microbeads are found in personal care products such as facial cleansers, bath scrubs and toothpaste.

"They get washed down the drain but are too small to be fully captured by our waste water treatment systems," says Mr Parker. Read more

NZ Utilities Advisory Group Newsletter, Issue 11, November 2017

The latest edition of NZUAG News, edition 11, is now available for downloading and reading on the NZUAG website, or by clicking here

KoroSan Guidelines for Village Sanitation in Fiji

The WASH Koro Project has released a series of practical KoroSan guidelines to support uptake of improved sanitation services in Fijian villages and settlements. Seven of the guidelines provide technical information for water-flushed and dry toilet options. The eighth guideline addresses participatory approaches to engage communities to build knowledge and capacity to mobilise and support water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) improvements their villages and settlements. The KoroSan guidelines can be freely downloaded from www.niwa.co.nz/korosan

The guidelines were developed and field-tested with 3 partner villages in Viti Levu in consultation with the Fiji Department of Water and Sewage and Ministry of Health. The WASH Koro project Mobilising community-led water supply, sanitation and hygiene improvements in Fijian villages is a collaborative participatory project that aims to provide self-help tools to mobilise communities to recognise and address their own water supply, sanitation and health/hygiene needs. The project team brings together expertise of Chris Tanner and Rebecca Stott (NIWA), Andrew Dakers (ecoEng Ltd) and Ann Winstanley ESR/Creative Questions from New Zealand along-side the in-country knowledge and skills of Viliame Jeke (JecoEng), and the Institute of Applied Science at University of the South Pacific. It builds on the learning and capacity developed in its predecessor Wai Votua Project (which involved the implementation of WASH in a coastal village of 300 people), but instead works at a smaller house by house–scale. The project was supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme through the Partnerships for International Development Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Amendments to the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017

The Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 will come into force on Friday 1 December 2017, along with a number of corrections and minor amendments to clarify the intent of certain provisions.

The official amendment regulations, and the updates to the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations, will be published on the Legislation website shortly (www.legislation.govt.nz). The amendment regulations will also be notified in the New Zealand Gazette (www.gazette.govt.nz) on Thursday 30 November 2017.

In the meantime please see the following link for a copy of the amendment regulations:

http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/employment-skills/workplace-health-and-safety-reform/development-of-regulations-to-support-the-new-health-and-safety-at-work-act/#hsrcabinetpaper

Further information about the new regulations, and what you need to know, can be found at: http://www.worksafe.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/guidance-by-industry/hsno/hazardous-substances-regulations


Worksafe are please to announce they have released the below tools:

haz subs calculator

Hazardous Substances Calculator

You can use this Calculator to create your inventory and find out the controls you need to put in place to safely manage your hazardous substances.

Previously known as the HSNO Calculator, this has been updated to reflect the Hazardous Substances Regulations and has a number of improvements, including:

  • holding a more complete set of controls than the HSNO Calculator
  • providing useful help functions
  • indicating where each requirement is found in the Hazardous Substances Regulations
  • allowing you to search for an individual substance
  • emailing your PIN number to you (note: this is sent by the Calculator and it is up to you to store this information securely. We won't have access to your PIN number.)
  • guidance on how to use the calculator.

TIP: Before you use the Calculator, we recommend that you write a list of your substances, the quantities, where they are stored, and look at where you can eliminate them, or reduce the quantities you have. Then, when you create your inventory in the Calculator, you are only dealing with the substances and quantities you need to manage.

Updating your records

If you have already created an inventory in the HSNO Calculator, your information will have transferred into the new Hazardous Substances Calculator. Using your current PIN, you will need to go into the new Calculator and complete the new fields. This is also a good time to review all your information to check that it is up to date.

A note on PIN numbers – we cannot access your PIN number, or your records. If you have forgotten your PIN you will need to create a new inventory (you will receive a new PIN).

Hazardous Substances Toolbox

The Calculator is housed in the Hazardous Substances Toolbox, a great source of tools and information. As well as the Calculator it provides:

Your practical guide to working with hazardous substances

A Workbook to help you create your inventory

An Inventory Form – a template for a written inventory

Coming soon – the updated Emergency Management Flipchart to help you prepare for an emergency.

Safe work instruments

The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety has approved the first 14 hazardous substances safe work instruments (SWIs) to commence on 1 December. These are now available for viewing on the hazardous substances safe work instruments web page.

Submissions

Thank you to those who took the time to provide us with a submission on the proposed hazardous substances SWIs. Your feedback was very useful and helped inform their development.

You can read a summary of submissions that has been published on our website.

New website

New website is live

This week worksafe launched their new website which brings together six of their previous websites (including those for energy safety, safer farms, construction, forestry and manufacturing) into a single, streamlined website.The easy-to-use website works on all mobile and tablet devices and has excellent search features.

They’ve also taken the opportunity to review and refine their web content to make it as easy as possible to find the information you need. The site includes a range of new digital tools including data visualisations and online notification forms.

For the information about the Hazardous Substances Regulations, go to our hazardous substances landing page and start navigating your way around.

If you have previously bookmarked pages in any of thir old sites, they’ve put in place automatic redirects from the most heavily used pages. If an automatic redirect isn’t in place, you’ll be taken to a page of relevant search results to help you find the content you are looking for. If you have feedback on the new site, please let Worksafe know via our feedback webpage.

Worksafe Media Release: Negligent asbestos removal puts others at risk

Worksafe are reminding businesses and property owners that a negligent approach to removing asbestos not only puts you at risk, but also those around you.

The message comes after Topham Holding Limited, a small farming business on the outskirts of Timaru, was recently sentenced in the Timaru District Court.

During the demolition of an old chicken shed in 2016, Topham Holding’s sole Director removed sheeting which contained asbestos, without first engaging a competent person to ensure the asbestos was removed. This was despite our advice to Topham Holding a year earlier stating that there would need to be close management of any asbestos removal.

The asbestos removal did not meet the requirements of asbestos regulations.

Chief Inspector Investigations Keith Stewart said:

“Topham Holding was aware of the presence of asbestos and was negligent in ignoring the well-known risks of asbestos and our advice about the demolition process.”

Mesothelioma, the cancer caused by asbestos, is the origin of one in five cancer deaths with an occupational link. Respiratory illness such as asbestosis makes up 20% of work-related deaths.

In 2010, mesothelioma accounted for 100 occupational deaths in New Zealand.

“No-one is exempt from managing the risk of asbestos appropriately. Asbestos management is not a job for a layperson – it is a job for a competent and trained professional. It’s not just about keeping you safe and healthy – but those around you as well”.

Notes:

Topham Holding Limited was convicted and fined $10,000

Topham Holding Limited was sentenced under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 - being a PCBU with management or control of a workplace, or of a structure, failed to ensure so far as reasonably practicable, that the asbestos was removed before demolition commenced

The maximum penalty was a fine not exceeding $50,000.


A collaboration between BRANZ and ALGA's NZ Asbestos Advisory Group (NZAAG) has seen a guideline for assessing & managing asbestos in soil. View the document here.

Flood specialist joins international committee

New Zealand civil engineer, Alastair Barnett has recently been elected to full membership of the Flood Risk Management Technical Committee of the International Association for Hydro- Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR).

He joins other members on the committee from the USA, China, Germany, Italy and Belgium. The Flood Risk Management Technical Committee was formed in 2015 at the IAHR World Congress in The Hague.

Its key focus is practical solutions in Flood Risk Management problem solving - a key concern for the water community worldwide, driven largely by transformation of rural landscapes, unsustainable urban population growth and climate change.

Dr Barnett adds that he would be happy to facilitate contributions to the world debate on flood management objectives and techniques by other specialist flood engineers in New Zealand, as well as in the other 35 countries where our New Zealand software is used for flood management.

Email: barncon@xtra.co.nz

Improvements still needed in safety of drinking water

Almost one-third of drinking water supply in the Manawatu needs immediate work to fix potential risks to public health, an independent report has found. See more

Backflow prevention programs hampered by lack of funds, staff

Connections banner


November 8, 2017


Less than half of utilities are required to take action after a cross-connection contamination event has occurred, according to respondents to AWWA’s first-ever backflow prevention survey.

A majority of respondents indicated they have no formal emergency response plans to follow-up on cross-connection incidents, and only 45 percent said their utilities require inspections after cross-connection contamination events occur.

“Why is there no requirement? It’s probably a lack of financial resources and appropriately trained personnel,” said Carolyn Stewart, a member of AWWA’s Cross Connection Control Committee, which oversaw the survey. “As the cross-connection control industry matures beyond program implementation and adoption, it is probable that the steps to take after an event will be incorporated in the way of doing business.”

The findings from AWWA’s 2016 Cross-Connection Control Program Survey show that public health problems caused by cross connections and backflow incidents remain a vital topic facing public and private potable water operations today.

The survey, conducted in late 2016, reveals that many program challenges are hindering development of cross-connection control programs.

“Program challenges regarding funding, staffing, enforcement, public education, reporting incidents, annual assembly testing, inspections, containment vs. isolation, and placement of CCC programs within the appropriate state and local agencies still remain unresolved,” according to the survey report.

A total of 724 systems responded to the survey, which was conducted by AWWA’s Cross Connection Control Committee, a group of water system professionals from municipal, regulatory, sales, and private consulting firms throughout the United States and Canada.

A survey report with aggregate results will be available soon in Journal AWWA. In addition, AWWA’s Backflow Prevention Resource Community and M14: Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control: Recommended Practices manual provide information on how to prevent cross-connection contamination events.

Cross connections – actual or potential connections between any part of a potable water system and an environment that would allow substances to enter the drinking water supply – are prevalent in many systems today.

Cross connections have contributed to backflow incidents that have led to sickness and death. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implemented the Revised Total Coliform Rule, which aims to increase public health protection through the reduction of potential pathways for contamination in the distribution systems of public water systems.

Byron Hardin, Chair of the Cross Connection Control Committee, said political conditions can thwart development of backflow prevention programs.

“As soon as builders and developers understand requirements and pass these costs on to property owners, that’s when it can become political,” Hardin said. “It’s the installation costs on the end user that can create consequences for backflow prevention programs.”

Many backflow programs today only practice backflow prevention protection in the form of containment at the potable water meter, Hardin said, adding that he’d like to see backflow prevention programs become more proactive in protecting the occupants by requiring point-of-use isolation protection inside of facilities. This would be accomplished by following national guidelines for conducting cross-connection control surveys on required “high risk” facilities annually. This approach would also help validate required plumbing inspections to catch altered private potable water plumbing activities being performed without necessary permits.

Only 50 percent of the respondents said they have a dedicated staff person for cross-connection control, while another 41 percent said they share program responsibilities between staff.

And how do utilities enforce their programs?

“The majority of respondents implement their cross-connection control program using authority from plumbing codes, ordinances and/or regulations,” according to the committee’s survey report. “Many rely on local, state, federal, or tribal regulations. A few use other authority such as utility-specific guidance, industry, documentation, or are in the process of determining their position.”

StewartStewart said that when developing cross-connection control programs, it is human nature to start – and perhaps stop – at the low-hanging fruit: backflow preventer installation and program maintenance. After all, Stewart said, if cross connections are prevented during new construction, in theory no investigation will be needed.

Despite the survey’s revelations about the lack of action required after a cross-connection event has occurred, the good news is 80 percent of respondents said their cross-connection programs require inspections by licensed water utility operators following new construction.

Still, the survey raises significant concerns about the widespread lack of requirements following a cross-connection event.

“For me it’s obvious that if you’re staring at a train wreck, it’s time to take action and move forward,” Stewart said. “This is what the industry is about -- safe drinking water. When there is an actual contamination event, we have to make sure these hazards don’t reproduce.”

View the full article from the American Water Works Association here.

Seminars on the Implications of the Havelock North Inquiry

In February 2018, Water New Zealand will be delivering a series of seminars on the outcomes of the Havelock North Inquiry. The inquiry will result in significant changes to the New Zealand Drinking Water industry. Water suppliers will need to understand the implications of changes to legislation, standards, and new knowledge about of providing safe drinking water supplies so that they can adapt to a new environment. The seminars will be delivered in eleven towns across New Zealand and will provide a discussion on the recommendations from the inquiry, the Governments response and how things are likely to play out over coming years. They will cover any organisational changes recommend by the inquiry and the detail of technical changes to legislation, managing risk, catchment protection, water safety plans, drinking water standards etc. The seminars will be delivered by Jim Graham and Noel Roberts and will provide necessary information for Council elected officials, water supply managers and other key water supply staff. Further details will be provided in subsequent releases of Pipeline.

Metadata and the National Pipe database project

As an outcome from the National Pipe database project, five Water Entities have taken on the challenge of applying the metadata standards to their asset databases. The first step in this journey is an independent gap analysis of where the differences are between the organisations current databases and how the alignment with the Metadata volume 1 attributes will be carried out in the first quarter of next year, this will then lead in to an discussion with the parties on what should be the core attributes. Other steps for this project of willing entities is a discussion on how the condition attributes and definitions identified volume 2 are then applied. For more information on these projects or to participate as a willing entity, please contact Noel Roberts.

Emergency Mobile Alert

Kia ora

MCDEM is partnering with other authorised agencies – New Zealand Police, Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry of Health, Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups and Fire and Emergency New Zealand– to use the Emergency Mobile Alerts to alert people if their lives, property or health are at serious risk.

The system uses cell broadcast technology to send messages to enabled phones, so alerts can be targeted to specific geographic locations. People won’t need to sign up to receive alerts, or download an app, alerts will be sent to every enabled phone in the region.

This is an exciting development towards strengthening our emergency alerting systems across New Zealand. But it doesn’t replace existing channels and natural warnings. It’s another channel for warning people when there is a serious risk. We will still use our existing channels, including social media, our website, TV and radio.

Emergency Mobile Alert test

A live nationwide test will be held on 26 November 2017 to test the system, cell towers and your phone’s ability to receive Emergency Mobile Alert.

Public education campaign

MCDEM is rolling out a public education campaign, which include a multi-media advertising campaign:

  • The first phase, starting on 12 November, will let people know what the messages look and sound like, how to check whether their phone will receive them, and when the national test is happening.
  • The second phase, set to start on 27 November, will let people know that the system is live and what to do if they receive a message that is not a test (Stop what you’re doing and follow instructions). The campaigns will include information about which agencies will be using the system.

Help us promote Emergency Mobile Alert to New Zealanders

We would love your help in spreading the word to your customers, staff and stakeholders. Please see the attached campaign guide for information on how you can help, including:

  • Share information about Emergency Mobile Alert with your staff – Promote Emergency Mobile Alert on your intranet, in emails, newsletters and noticeboards (we have fact sheets, posters and web banners at www.civildefence.govt.nz/emergency-mobile-alerts). Encourage staff to share information about Emergency Mobile Alert with their family and friends.
  • Promote Emergency Mobile Alert online – Download our web banners and include them on your company website (remember to link to www.civildefence.govt.nz/emergency-mobile-alerts). You could also share Emergency Mobile Alert specific posts from facebook.com/nzcivildefence and twitter.com/nzgetthru.
  • Promote Emergency Mobile Alert instore – If you have retail space or public areas, you could put up posters or hand out fact sheets.

If you have any technical questions about Emergency Mobile Alert please contact: Kevin Fenaughty, Principal Advisor, National Operations on (04) 817 8545 kevin.fenaughty@dpmc.govt.nz

Thank you in advance for helping us to ensure New Zealanders stay safe and stay informed during emergencies.

Emergency Mobile Alert partner organisation campaign guide

Activating ‘Water Sensitive Urban Design’ (WSUD) for healthy resilient communities: Survey and workshops

WSUD is an alternative to conventional forms of urban development. It uses natural soil and plant processes to manage stormwater, promote water re-use and enhance urban liveability and human wellbeing. WSUD has also been called Low Impact Urban (LIUD or LID) or Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs). Or Water Sensitive Urban Design(WSUD).

New Zealand may be the best place in the world for “Water Sensitive Urban Design” – many areas have a temperate climate with frequent rain and year-round plant growth, and passing storm water through plants and soil (not piping it straight to streams) aligns with kaitiaki values. WSUD has been used in New Zealand for more than 10 years, but there are significant barriers to its widespread adoption.

Please participate in a 5-question survey and/or workshops to identify the barriers to WSUD. The survey and workshop will help people at the ‘flax roots’ by identifying:

  • Quick wins that we will aim to address in this research,
  • Myth-busting exchanges, where we all share existing knowledge,
  • Longer term research needs that we can prioritise and plan as a collective.

The survey and workshops are funded by The Building Better Homes Towns and Cities National Science Challenge. The research team is a collaboration between:

Robyn Simcock, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research,

Jonathan Moores, NIWA

Sue Ira, Koru Environmental Consultants

Chris Batstone, Batstone Associates

Websites: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/living/cities,-settlements-and-communities/water-sensitive-urban-design

Land-based system a focus for future

PKW Farms LP owns Taranaki’s largest land holding. The incorporation owns 13 dairy farms covering about 2300 hectares, plus nine dry stock farms, embracing about 1500 hectares. The dairy properties are located in an area between Opunake and Waverley, with a large concentration of dairy farms in the Oeo-Manaia area. Read more

Association Updates as of 23 November

Land and Water Forum Update

Attached is a letter from the Chair of the Forum to the incoming Government. For anyone interested it gives you an update on Forum thinking.


Pipeline Workshops Completed

The last of 4 regional workshops on the various work streams being undertaken by the association around pipeline resilience were completed last week in Queenstown and Christchurch. In total 140 Association members attended these. Our thanks to the 6 industry presenters who gave freely of their time to make the presentations.


Conference Papers Online

The papers from the September Water New Zealand conference are now available online here.


Growing Up in NZ

CEO John Pfahlert met recently with staff at Auckland University to discuss their interest in conducting research to examine whether there are is an association between children who grow up drinking treated water versus non treated water and their general health status. The Growing Up in NZ program follows 6000 children born in the upper North Island DHB’s throughout their lives to examine their health and wellbeing.


Young Water Professional Group Expanding

The Association has called for expressions of interest to see if there is interest in establishing a YWP group in the the Central North Island, based in Tauranga.

The Young Water Professionals groups are for young water industry professionals with an interest in the water space. Membership is free if you are in the early stage of your career or if you are in full-time tertiary study. The primary objective of the groups is to provide regionally based interaction between young water professionals and encourage younger water professionals and students to become more involved in the water industry.

We will meet on a regular basis and discuss all things water and have some fun activities. YWP groups are well established in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and we will be able to share ideas with them and others around the country. It will be a great opportunity for you to gain connections in the water industry and learn from your peers.

At this stage our aim is to gauge how many young professionals we have in the Bay and to better understand interest in attendance at events. If we have enough interest we will kick off in the New Year with a catch-up to discuss the formation of the new YWP group with some drinks and nibbles.

Register your interest with Coral-Lee Ertel at Western Bay of Plenty District Council via email at coral-lee.ertel@westernbay.govt.nz by Christmas.

Feel free to forward this email on to anyone who may be interested in joining.

For more information on the Young Water Professionals groups, see the Water New Zealand website.


IANZ

CEO John Pfahlert met with Geoff Hallam at IANZ in Auckland recently to better understand the process for accreditation of laboratories involved in testing water samples for compliance with the drinking water standards.


Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

CEO John Pfahlert met with Simon Upton (the new PCE) this week to brief him on Association activities and the likely implications of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry.


Science NZ Conference

CEO John Pfahlert attended the 25th anniversary conference of the establishment of the Crown Research Institutes in NZ. There were a number of presentations on current work being undertaken at CRI’s and some forward looking talks about where the CRI’s are headed in research.


Waterways Centre Conference

Every year the Waterways Centre for Freshwater Research (a JV between Lincoln and University of Canterbury) holds a one day conference where the results of Masters and Doctoral students research is presented. Water NZ was a sponsor of this year’s event and CEO John Pfahlert attended. There is some great research being done, and companies looking to recruit bright young graduates should consider sending people to recruit students. Many are doing work directly relevant to 3 waters operations. Attendance is free. www.waterways.ac.nz


Editorial: Need for change reaches high-water mark

EDITORIAL: You have been warned: The tides and times are a-changing; they have brought us to a crossroads.

That, in a nutshell, was the message from IAG insurance spokesman Bryce Davies, when asked about the possible impacts of climate change for both homeowner and insurer in this country.

It is the clearest signal yet, if indeed one were needed, that climate change is real (sorry, President Trump) and is going to have an increasingly significant impact, not only on insurance premiums but the very existence of some communities hugging the lines of coast and river of New Zealand. Read more

Editorial: Central government needs to help councils deal with coastal hazards

OPINION: Twenty-five thousand property owners will have to consider the implications for their homes and investments after an updated report was released on how rising sea levels will affect Christchurch.

The risk to a maximum of 25,000 properties from seawater inundation, and another 1000 from coastal erosion, will be realised over a very long time – the new report by Tonkin and Taylor for the Christchurch City Council looks ahead to the year 2120.

However, the implications will kick in long before then. Read more

Councils highlight growth infrastructure as urgent issue

Local Government New Zealand says funding growth infrastructure is the highest priority for councils and welcomes the Government’s plans to review local government costs and revenue.

At a meeting of Local Government New Zealand’s Metro Sector on Friday (10 Nov), mayors and deputy mayors from New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing cities agreed the biggest issue facing local government is the funding of growth infrastructure, and that councils are keen to work with the new Government to find alternative methods of funding this as a matter of urgency. Read more

Water Use/Water Demand documents

Water New Zealand has uploaded research papers on water use/water demand to the Water Efficiency & Conservation Network Group webpage.

View the documents here.

Worksafe Update precast concrete consultation and hazardous substances updates

precast concrete

Consultation on precast concrete

Public consultation on two documents about precast concrete work is open.

Worksafe have engaged with a working group to develop new draft guidance that:

  • describes current good practices for handling, transporting and erecting precast concrete elements in New Zealand workplaces, and
  • reflects the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).

The working group included key stakeholders with specialist knowledge and experience in the precast concrete industry.

Public feedback is invited on:

Public consultation opens on Monday 13 November and the deadline for receiving submissions is 5pm on Friday 8 December.

Find out more here.


New focus on hazardous substance safety

Hazardous substances are widely used across New Zealand workplaces, so it’s important to know the risks and how to protect people from harm.

On 1 December 2017, the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 will come into force. They apply to all workplaces that manufacture, use, handle and store hazardous substances.

One in three businesses work with hazardous substances in New Zealand. That includes factories, farmers and growers, as well as tradespeople, collision repairers, hairdressers and retailers. Common hazardous substances are fuels and LPG, acids, cleaning solutions, agricultural chemicals, paints, glues and chlorine.

“Used safely, hazardous substances can contribute to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity,” WorkSafe General Manager Operations and Specialist Services Brett Murray says. “But they also pose real risks to the people working with or around them, including explosion, fire, and serious health issues.”

It is estimated that New Zealand workers are 10 times more likely to die from work-related health risks, such as hazardous substances, than workplace safety incidents, Mr Murray says. However, despite this harm, there can be more complacency about the dangers of hazardous substances than other workplace risks.

“The harm from inhaling toxic vapours or contact with some substances is often unseen. Workers may be unaware they are being exposed, and the effects of exposure may not be discovered for many years.

“The Regulations are aimed at reducing the harm from hazardous substances in the workplace and will increase the focus on their safe management. They bring an expectation on everyone working with them to know what those substances are, the risks they pose and how to manage those risks.”

This is not about wholesale change. The rules for work-related activities involving hazardous substances are moving from the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act to the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA).

Many of the existing requirements continue under the new Regulations, so if your business is complying now, there may not be much more you have to do. However, there are key changes that will help ensure you, as the person in charge, are doing your duty to protect people from harm.

The starting point is to identify the risks in your workplace. Make a list of the hazardous substances on site, the quantities and where they are stored. Then read the safety data sheets (SDS) to understand the risks they pose, how to use and store them safely and what to do if there is a spill or you are exposed to them. A SDS will be required for each substance.

“You will also need to keep an inventory of your hazardous substances, and the simplest way to do this is to use the Hazardous Substances Calculator,” Mr Murray says. “This is one of the handy tools in the Hazardous Substances Toolbox.”

The calculator will help you work out the safety measures (or controls) you need to put in place to keep people safe. This includes general requirements, such as labelling, packaging and ensuring workers have sufficient instruction and supervision, as well as any additional measures triggered by certain substances or quantities.

“Some highly hazardous substances will require a certified handler, while certain quantities of some substances may mean you need to engage a compliance certifier to issue a location compliance certificate. So as well as reducing risk, keeping your substances to a minimum can help reduce the costs to your operation.

“That’s why you should first look at whether you can remove any products, reduce the amount, or replace them with a safer alternative.”

Mr Murray says it is important to note that the required controls may not be enough to protect people from harm, and you must remove or reduce any remaining risks. This can include installing safety measures, such as extractor fans or using automated enclosed areas to conduct hazardous work.

“Personal protective equipment may also be necessary, but should be the final step after implementing other measures.

“And remember, even the most safety-conscious business can have an accident. Make sure you have an emergency plan in place, including who to contact and who is responsible for what.”

As well as looking at what is changing on 1 December, Mr Murray says people need to remember there is already legislation in place they should be complying with.

“Now is the ideal time to review your management of hazardous substances and ensure you are doing your duty to protect people from harm.”

The WorkSafe website has guidance and information to help you understand your obligations. The Regulations are available on the New Zealand Legislation website.

For practical help, see the Hazardous Substances Toolbox. This will be updated shortly and includes the Hazardous Substances Calculator.

To keep updated, subscribe to the Hazardous Substances e-newsletter.


Taking Control of Hazardous Substances

The rules for work-related activities involving hazardous substances are moving from the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act to a set of regulations under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA). The new Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 will be introduced on 1 December. They target a reduction in harm through safer management of these substances at work.

“Used safely, hazardous substances can contribute to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity. But they also pose real risks to the people working with or around them,” WorkSafe General Manager Operations and Specialist Services Brett Murray says.

While the regulations have a new name and a new focus in some critical areas, this is not about wholesale change.

“If you are among the one in three New Zealand businesses that works with hazardous substances you’ll need to check that you are managing them properly,” Mr Murray says.

“If you already have robust processes in place, now is the time to review them. There may not be much you need to do differently.”

However, if you’re unsure where to begin here’s our ‘Starter for ten’ – a brief outline of some of the key things you need to know.

Help is at hand!

  • 1.Useful tools and information are available to help you. The WorkSafe website has some great guidance including an overview of what’s new or changing. And the Hazardous Substances Toolbox includes the Hazardous Substances Calculator. This is a useful tool to help you create an inventory and start seeing what you need to do to manage your substances.

Know what you’ve got

  • 2.Create an inventory of the hazardous substances manufactured, used, handled, or stored in your workplace. Inventories are mandatory under the new regulations.
  • 3.Have, and read, a safety data sheet for each hazardous substance in your workplace. These are not only mandatory but excellent sources of key information about managing your substances.

Assess the risk

  • 4.Look at your inventory and consider whether you need all those substances. Can some be removed entirely? Or substituted for a safer product? For those you need to keep, put the required controls in place to minimise the risks. The Calculator can help you with this. Make sure you review and monitor these controls.

Take control

‘Controls’ are measures that help you control the risks associated with a hazardous substance. Here are some of the key things to do:

5.Plan for an emergency: you’ll be planning not to have an emergency but you, your workers, and emergency service workers need to know what to do - and who is responsible for what - if an emergency does occur.

6.Inform and train your workers. Everyone who works with and around hazardous substance must have the knowledge and practical experience to do so safely.

7.Check that your containers of hazardous substances are clearly and correctly labelled so people know what’s inside. Those labels must be maintained and readable.

  • 8.Place signs at key points such as entranceways, and on buildings, or in outdoor areas, where substances are used or stored. Clear, concise information helps people approach with care.
  • 9.Store your hazardous substances safely. Where and how you store hazardous substances will depend on the type of substance and the amount you have.
  • 10.Check if you have any highly hazardous substances, or larger quantities of substances that may need extra measures such as a Certified Handler, or tracking requirements.

“With the new Regulations we hope to bring a positive focus to the safe management of hazardous substances in the workplace,” says Mr Murray. “Everyone will be expected to know what substances they are working with, the risks they pose and how to manage those risks.

“The greatest change will come when, across New Zealand, hazardous substances are treated as an integral part of work health and safely management.”

For tools and information go to www.worksafe.govt.nz and www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz


WEF Water Leadership Institute (WLI) 2018 now accepting applications!

The Water Leadership Institute program is aimed at educating, training, and providing opportunities that enable developing and emerging leaders to build strong lasting relationships within the water industry. This intensive program allows participants the opportunity to engage in management training, and leadership development through a blended learning approach that includes the examination of complex challenges facing the water and wastewater industries and networking with public and private sector practitioners.

View this on Water-leadership-institute >

Submission for Water New Zealand on the Proposed Waikato Shared Waters Management Company

Water New Zealand is seeking feedback on the draft Submission for Water New Zealand on the Proposed Waikato Shared Waters Management Company. Please provide feedback to Charlotte Cudby by Thursday, 16 November.

E: charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz
P: 04 495 0893

New report assesses coastal hazards risk

The challenges communities face in adapting to climate change are highlighted in a new report assessing the coastal hazards across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

The report was prepared by environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin & Taylor Limited and contains the most detailed and up-to-date information on coastal hazards facing the communities within the Christchurch City Council’s boundaries. Read more

Wellington region's stopbanks and floodgates in poor condition

Nearly 200 of the Wellington region's stopbanks and floodgates are in a poor or very poor condition, with some at imminent threat of collapse.

The findings, presented in a report to the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) Environment Committee on Wednesday, showed the poor-condition defences represented more than a fifth of the region's stopbanks and 16 per cent of floodgates. Read More

Water solutions now 'number one issue' for NZ councils

Too much, too little, or coming in where it's not welcome -- water is the number one issue keeping the country's local councils awake at night. With much of the country's flood protection infrastructure reaching the end of its life, Local Government New Zealand says climate change preparedness, and what it will cost, is 'top of mind' for councils. Find out more about how New Zealand is trying to waterproof its cities on RNZ's Insight programme. Here

Updating Membership Contact Details

Please remember to keep us up to date with any changes to your contact details. If you are leaving your current role let us know your new email address so you can keep receiving Pipeline. The same applies to your postal address. The next edition of ‘Water’ is due out shortly and we don’t want you to miss out! You can either update your personal details on your dashboard on the website or contact us directly at enquiries@waternz.org.nz

Lifelines Forum in Auckland on the 31st Oct – 1st Nov

Water New Zealand is a member of the National Lifelines Council and attended and presented at this forum.

There were two full days of interesting presentations, with some interesting facts being revealed such as: There is approximately 30 days of stored fuel in NZ; 5% of food is imported; valuation and reinstatement costs of infrastructure is understated so suspect insurance costs will rise…

One of the learnings I took from the forum was the reasonable risk of damage from volcanic ash, particularly from Mt Taranaki. The Volcanic Impact Study Group newsletter may be of interest to some members with damage to underground infrastructure from lava .

VISG Newsletter - Issue No.9, September 2017

And coping with ash and the need for spare air filters for diesel generators

VISG Newsletter - Issue No.9, March 2017

I suspect this may also apply to blowers and air compressors.

Contact Noel Roberts for more information.

Auckland Council - Three Waters: Value for Money (S1&A) Review 2017

Auckland Council has just completed “value for money” review of the benefits of combining Auckland Councils Stormwater services with those of Watercare. The document linked to this brief indicates savings in the order of $370m over ten years.

The review is one of 4 requested by the Mayor of Auckland Council and is the only one to identify significant savings.

Members will be interested in the reviews findings because it lends weight to the argument that increasing scale in water service delivery is of importance to driving improvement in levels of service at lower cost to ratepayers.

View the document here.

How the Auckland Council could save $30m a year

Combining the Auckland Council's water company with its in-house drainage operation could save $30 million a year.

That is the biggest potential saving found in the first four reviews of the council operations, and could undo part of the amalgamation process of the city.

A high-level review of the city's so-called Three Waters stops short of a merger, but the mayor Phil Goff said that could be a future step.

Amalgamation created a council-owned company called Watercare to deliver water and treat sewage and wastewater, leaving drainage within the council. See more

Office of the Auditor-General: our water work programme

The Office of the Auditor-General has published a new report, Introducing our work programme – Water management. This report describes the Office’s work programme for 2017/18, which will explore aspects of drinking water, freshwater, stormwater, and the marine environment.

The Office’s unique view of the public sector and independence enables it to look at the water management system as a whole – across public organisations in both central and local government and beyond political cycles. The Office will consider how well these organisations are carrying out their water management responsibilities, to understand how well New Zealand is positioned for the future.

Through its work, the Office will highlight any improvements that are needed in the public management of water and in the accountability and transparency of organisations for their decision-making and performance.

For more information about this report and the Office’s water management work programme, please contact Kristin Aitken, Sector Manager, Local Government Group.

Visit our website for more information about our water-related work

Climate change will hammer New Zealand's drainage systems

New research into the effects of climate change says New Zealand's drainage systems need a major and expensive upgrade if they're to cope.

It's likely to cost ratepayers billions - but the report says if it's not carried out we're in for serious problems.

We're already seeing signs of what's to come. In March the Auckland suburb of New Lynn was underwater after a massive deluge flooded streets and storm water systems were overwhelmed.

And the research shows water networks like these will soon be under even more pressure. See more

Perceived Risk of Using Treated Wastewater - invitation to particpate

Research Background

My name is Kaysone Vongthavilay and I am a postgraduate student at the University of Auckland School of Environment undertaking research for a Master of Science in Environmental Management. My supervisor is Dr. Sam Trowsdale. As a part of this degree I am carrying out research leading to a Master’s thesis.

Project Overview

This research is motivated by concern over the increase in population which also increases demand for water. Wastewater is the only source of alternative water that grows as population increases. Wastewater treatment is a highly technical engineering process and suits the principles underpinning water providers. Nevertheless, little is known regarding public concerns over treated wastewater. This thesis will examine risk perceptions of using treated wastewater. The main research objective will be to gain an understanding of the risk perception of the public and water practitioners in using treated wastewater. This research is an attempt to understand attitudes, trust, and perceptions with respect to wastewater reuse. One of the features of the study is a comparison between the public and the practitioners’ views. This project will continue until February 2018.

Find out more here.

Water system report shows need for climate change preparation

Water New Zealand says a new report has highlighted the serious risk our infrastructure is facing because of climate change.

Chief executive John Pfahlert says the report Climate Change and Stormwater and Wastewater Systems by the Deep South National Science Challenge outlines a very concerning future for our water network and this is something that the sector has been concerned about for some time.

View the full article here.

Science to rule on farming's role in ETS

Farmers are relieved that science - rather than politics - will decide whether agriculture should be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme.

no caption

If agriculture is included in the scheme, farmers will be expected to pay for five percent of their emissions. Photo: 123rf.com

Under the coalition agreement unveiled yesterday, a new Climate Commission will make the decision.

Other details made public yesterday include scrapping the controversial water tax, but introducing a royalty on bottled water exports, along with higher water quality standards for everyone.

Labour went into the election promising to make the country carbon neutral by 2050.

It said it would bring agriculture into the emissions trading scheme in its first term, promising farmers would only have to pay for 10 percent of their emissions.

But under the terms of the deal announced yesterday, if the commission recommends agriculture is included in the scheme, farmers will be expected to pay just five percent.

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne said handing the decision to a commission meant the science and evidence could be presented and thought through.

"There's two contexts; what New Zealand's emissions profile is - very unique because we have a high amount of animals compared to per capita of people, but that does not mean that our food production is higher emission than everywhere else, in fact we are very low emission compared globally," she said.

She was also happy the hotly debated water tax was off the table and said it was an attempt to fix environmental issues, but it did not target the right people.

"Some of that money could easily be shunted into areas that the irrigation and the water tax had nothing to do with, so it was going to be quite an unfair tax. Also the fact that nobody pays for water in New Zealand, sort of a thin edge of the wedge one and where would that start and stop," she said.

Industry lobby group Water New Zealand said the coalition agreement was a missed opportunity for an in-depth conversation around paying for water - involving domestic, industrial and agricultural users.

A recent survey by the group found that 59 percent of the almost 5000 people polled believed that all users should pay for their water.

Water NZ chief executive John Pfahlert said the decision to target bottled water exporters made good politics, but not necessarily good public policy.

"We're looking at environments around New Zealand where water will increasingly be constrained, particularly on the east coast of New Zealand. As we approach that sort of world we at Water New Zealand would simply say that it makes good common sense and good public policy to make sure that we have water priced properly, so that it goes to the most efficient use," he said.

Ms Milne said in dry areas, like the east coast, irrigation was the life blood and Labour's decision to scrap Crown subsidies for new water storage and irrigation schemes was short-sighted.

She said people wrongly assumed the subsidy meant more dairy farms, when it could help areas like Hawke's Bay to grow many different crops.

"That sort of infrastructure is very important because actually nobody knows what will be the crop of the future in 5 or 10 years' time. We've come through in New Zealand agriculture wool booms, land booms, beef booms, dairy booms. What is the next one? They talk about plant protein being a very big part of diets, so we should enable our communities to have options and if we take irrigation, I think it's very short sighted," she said.

The government is yet to announce who will on the new Climate Commission or when it will begin its work.

View the full article here.

Water system report shows urgent need for climate change preparation

Embargoed until 5am Friday, 27 October

Water New Zealand says a new report has highlighted the serious risk our infrastructure is facing because of climate change.

Chief executive John Pfahlert says the report Climate Change and Stormwater and Wastewater Systems by the Deep South National Science Challenge outlines a very concerning future for our water network and this is something that the sector has been concerned about for some time.

He says sea level rises and increasing flooding events will create multi billion dollar challenges in the future that we need to start preparing for now.

“We need to prepare for the effect that coastal erosion and rising sea levels will have on our ability to discharge waste and stormwater.

“Flooding events and sea level rises will have a big impact on water networks and will mean that billions of dollars of underground water assets will need replacing sooner than previously expected.

“This is a huge challenge that cannot be left solely to local communities and regions to grapple with.

“We need to see a more connected discussion across the country and the new government needs to work with the water sector and local government on a collaborative approach to climate change management.”

He says delaying action will only make the choices more painful and expensive down the line.



For more information contact CEO John Pfahlert on 021 150 9763 or Communications Advisor Debra Harrington on 027 202 8857

NZ faces challenges as it moves to address a patchwork system of regional water infrastructure

The water system of England and Wales was privatised under the administration of Margaret Thatcher in 1989. However, attempts to do the same in Scotland were met with significant opposition, and the utilities were ultimately centralised and kept in public hands.

This is the fork in the road - some argue - that New Zealand now faces as it moves to address a patchwork system of regional water infrastructure. See more

Climate change: five ways it could harm us

We think of climate change as a gargantuan global crisis that will transform our environment in ways we can barely begin to imagine.

Yet few of us appreciate how it could hurt us individually.

An expert report released today by New Zealand's leading body for science, Royal Society Te Aparangi, warns of a warmer world bringing heat waves, diseases, water contamination and air pollution.

Several degrees of warming this century could also have alarming implications for our mental health and social inequality - hitting Maori particularly hard. See more

LGNZ MEDIA RELEASE: Water declaration reaffirms commitment to quality and signals cost issues

Wednesday 25 October 2017

Water declaration reaffirms commitment to quality and signals cost issues

A local government leaders’ water declaration has been launched to further reiterate the sector’s commitment to lifting water quality and call on the new Government for greater action.

Water is a key issue for New Zealanders. Lifting the quality of freshwater resources and improving our drinking, waste and stormwater will require a huge effort and the Water Declaration is local government’s commitment to playing its part in achieving these goals.

The Local Government Leaders’ Water Declaration acknowledges the increasing importance of water to New Zealanders. It follows a climate change declaration launched in July and recognises the interlinked nature of what are two major issues for New Zealand.

Local Government New Zealand President Dave Cull says councils manage freshwater quality and quantity, the delivery of drinking water and the provision of waste and storm water services.

“There is no doubt water is a challenging and complex area to address,” Mr Cull says.

“Local government is already working with its communities to lift the outcomes for all of our waters and is seeing good success in some areas. But we face a number of challenges in achieving this, particularly around funding to deliver investment in the improvement our communities want to see.”

Lifting the quality of freshwater resources and improving our drinking, waste and stormwater provision will require a collaborative effort and will come at a significant cost. Additional funding tools will be needed to ensure this work can be carried out and councils are very likely to need financial support from the Government in some areas to make real gains.

The Declaration builds on the Water 2050 project started this year by local government to scope the costs of maintaining and improving water quality and its continued supply. Water 2050 will underpin the need to think about water in a holistic way, raising the cost implications of investment in drinking, waste and storm water assets and services to meet increased standards for water quality, and outlining the need for a national conversation on costs and new funding tools.

“Water, along with climate change, is a top priority for local government. As a nation we need to take significant steps towards making improvement, and this declaration is a commitment to action from local government,” Mr Cull says.

The Declaration outlines a number of local government commitments. These include:

  • improving the water in our regions with, and for, our people and future generations;
  • ensuring that those people who have the privilege of using our water do so responsibly; and
  • working with our communities so that the costs and priorities for investment in infrastructure to provide a secure supply of water and maintain and improve water quality are clearly understood.

The Declaration also outlines key steps for the new Government, including:

  • recognising the interlinked nature of all water, whether natural rivers, lakes, streams or groundwater and drinking water, stormwater or wastewater, and reflecting this in coherent, integrated water policy;
  • acknowledging the impact climate change will have on our water resources and developing policy options to address these; and
  • working with local government on a plan to meet these costs and develop new tools for funding and financing infrastructure.

Click here to read the Local Government Leaders’ Water Declaration.

www.lgnz.co.nz

New report out on the human health impacts of climate change in NZ

The Royal Society has released a new report on climate change that looks at the human health impacts in NZ across a range of factors. Impacts relevant to three waters management include the possible abandonment or relocation of neighbourhoods in flood or erosion prone areas and increased pressures on water quality and quantity. Such impacts would increase the challenges in providing safe drinking water as well as effective wastewater and stormwater services to communities. A copy of the report and other resources can be found here.

Shared Waters Management Company in the Waikato – member views on a Water New Zealand submission

Waipa District and Hamilton City Councils have released a Statement of Proposal to form a Shared Water Management Company (a non-asset owning Council Controlled Organisation) to manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services on behalf of both councils. Feedback on the proposal is due by 10am on Monday 27 November. The proposal is the result of several years of preparatory work in the region.

Water New Zealand intends to make a submission on the proposal expressing support for it. If members do not think the submission should support the proposal, please let us know your views by the end of next week (3 November) so we can amend the tone of the draft submission accordingly. Members are also encouraged to make submissions directly.

A draft submission will be included in the next pipeline on 9 November for member feedback before it is submitted. All views on the proposal are welcome and if received by 3 November will be taken into account when preparing the draft submission.

CHARLOTTE CUDBY
charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz
Senior Policy Analyst
+64 4 495 0893
+64 27 351 6938

Robust and fair water policy needed in wake of water tax dumping

Robust and fair water policy needed in wake of water tax dumping

24 October 2017

Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert says he’s not surprised that the government has dropped its controversial water tax on irrigators but has left a royalty on water bottlers.

However, he says it’s unfortunate that the government has made these policy changes in the absence of a wider, and more important, discussion about water pricing.

“This is clearly a direct response to the public’s anger over perceptions that water bottlers are profiting from free access to a public resource.

“But picking off one group of water users, while not addressing the bigger question of water pricing and value, will not result in good policy.”

He says we need a sustainable long term approach to water management.

Prior to the election, Water New Zealand surveyed almost five thousand New Zealanders and the results showed a majority in favour of water pricing.

“While nine out of ten New Zealanders believed that water bottlers making a profit from taking pristine water should pay a royalty, 77 percent believed that there should be a cost when taking water for agriculture and horticulture despite the outcry from critics during the election campaign.

“It’s interesting that more than half - 59 percent - believed that all users should pay for water.

“It’s clear that water issues will be a big challenge for the government and I would welcome the opportunity for the water sector to be involved in discussions.

“New Zealanders are increasingly concerned about water quality and the effects of climate change on water and our infrastructure. We need a long term sustainable approach to water.”

Association News 26 October

New Staff

CEO John Pfahlert welcomed Jim Graham to the Water New Zealand team last week. Jim has joined the Water New Zealand staff as Principal Advisor Water Quality. Jim is well known throughout the water industry and has an extensive background in drinking-water risk management, standards and water quality having worked for two DHBs, the Ministry of Health and for the last nine years as a Principal Environmental Scientist with Opus. Jim's role is to provide advisory services to water suppliers, particularly in light of the expected changes that will result from the Havelock North Inquiry. Water New Zealand members are encouraged to contact Jim if they have questions or queries about any matters to do with drinking-water supplies.


Media Release - Robust and fair water policy needed in wake of water tax dumping

Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert says he’s not surprised that the government has dropped its controversial water tax on irrigators but has left a royalty on water bottlers.

View the media release here.


Membership survey results provide strong direction

Thank you to all our members who completed our membership survey. We were pleased with the response rate and as a result of your comments we intend to run the survey annually to ensure we remain on track in our commitments to meet members’ needs.

Among recommendations, you indicated that you’d like us to be more proactive over policy issues and advocacy – something we have already been putting a big focus on – and will continue to do so.

You want us to provide more access to training opportunities. As a result of that we will continue to work on the implementation of the Water Industry Operators Certification Scheme, work with training providers to deliver qualifications and deliver technical training into district councils.

The survey revealed that members are around the country are keen to have more involvement in Water New Zealand. In response to that we’ll be organising more regional meetings and other opportunities for engagement.

We’ll be keeping you more informed about our work and engagement with government and other organisations and we’ll continue to speak out on issues that affect our sector. Keep an eye on Pipeline, our fortnightly newsletter, for updates.

And of course, we’re very happy to have feedback from members throughout the year. If you’d like to communicate with us on any issue please email enquiries@waternz.org.nz


Industry Training

At their meeting in October the Board of Water New Zealand decided that the Association should take a stronger leadership position to ensure that the delivery of water training is fit for purpose. This decision is also supported by the results of the recent membership survey where members were clearly seeking the Association to play a greater part in the training space. Discussions are already in train to now decide what specifically the Association can do to improve performance in this area. Contact ceo@waternz.org.nz if you want to know more.


Standards Development

In conjunction with the Engineering Leadership Forum the Association is planning to write to incoming Ministers expressing concern at the lack of government investment in Standards development. Our view is informed by continuing issues over the lack recognition of the public good value of Standards. Contact ceo@waternz.org.nz if you want to know more.


Infrastructure NZ Conference

CEO John Pfahlert will be attending the Infrastructure NZ annual conference in Wellington this week. He is also having a meeting with an OFWAT representative who is in NZ for the conference to talk about price control and effective regulation.


Office of the Auditor General – Management of Stormwater networks to reduce the effect of Flooding

Water New Zealand staff met with the office of the Auditor General staff to advise them on the breadth of issues facing stormwater.

As part of the performance audit, they are proposing to look at five Local Authorities’ to investigate:

  • understanding of their current and future flooding risks;
  • process for determining the levels of service for their stormwater networks; and
  • management of their stormwater network to deliver current and future levels of service.

It is expected that a the final report will take 9 - 12 months to produce and the OAG is happy for Water New Zealand to publish the report on our website.

Water New Zealand are meeting with OAG again this week to discuss the audit on the “security of drinking water sources”

Other audits and further explanation can be found at https://www.oag.govt.nz/2017/annual-plan/part3.htm


National Performance Review Reporting Commences

Every year Water New Zealand facilitates the National Performance Review, an annual benchmark of public drinking water, wastewater and stormwater system performance.

Registrations for this year’s National Performance Review have now closed, with 48 organisations, suppling services to over 4 million New Zealanders contributing information. The review has been on running since 2007 and previous years data can be found at: http://www.waternz.org.nz/NationalPerformanceReview


2018 Conferences - Save the date

Modelling Symposium, 14-15 March 2018, Christchurch

Stormwater Conference, 23-25 May 2018, Queenstown


Water Quality NEMS Draft for Comment available from 20 October 2017

Draft NEMS standard for Water Quality monitoring – feedback by 6 December.

Members have in the past raised concerns about inconsistent and problematic resource consent requirements related to water quality monitoring. This topic is one of many themes that emerged from the resource consent consistency project that is being reinvigorated in 2017-18 (more on the project here).

A draft National Environmental Monitoring Standard (NEMS) has been released for feedback by 6 December 2017 that covers many of the topic areas members have raised in the past. These include water quality sampling, field measurements and laboratory methods as well as quality assurance and coding protocols. The draft standard covers groundwater, rivers, lakes, and near shore coastal waters. The standards are being adopted by regional councils throughout NZ.

This is an opportunity for members to contribute directly towards more consistent and cost-effective resource consent conditions. Click here to view the draft standard and to find out more about providing feedback; some important points are also included below for ease of reference.

NEMS is an initiative involving regional councils and the Ministry for the Environment to develop technical standards for data measurement and handling for a number of environmental parameters. Over several years various standards have been developed by working groups – existing standards and further background on the process and who has been involved can be viewed here.


Important points to note:

Please read the opening pages of each document carefully, as they describe the scope and limitations of the Standard in some detail.

  • Please also “subscribe” to this Standard, so that you are notified of future updates or changes to the document.
  • There are four documents, each relating to a domain (groundwater, rivers, lakes and coast).

This Standard has been prepared principally for field technicians, programme managers and environmental scientists or consultants who collect, quality check or report on discrete water quality data;

The primary focus is on water quality data acquisition (sampling and measurement), quality assurance and archiving associated with long term monitoring programmes, to assess state (condition) and trends through time;

Whilst sampling for other purposes, such as compliance monitoring or microbial monitoring at recreational sites, is not specifically addressed in this Standard, much of the guidance around field measurements, water sample collection and handling, and data management are applicable to other uses of discrete water quality data. This Standard, therefore, provides a normative reference for most discrete water quality sampling and measurements carried out in lakes across New Zealand;

This Standard does not address monitoring objectives, monitoring programme design or data analysis or interpretation. Generally speaking, aspects that affect the quality of the measurement or data is within the scope of this Standard, but aspects that relate to programme design (e.g. objectives, sampling frequency, sampling depth, etc.) or data interpretation are outside the scope of this Standard;

This Standard is also not intended to apply to the monitoring or sampling of potable water supplies. .

The documents use the words “shall” and “should” with a specific purpose in mind – where the former is used, it indicates that it is a requirement of the Standard. This FINAL DRAFT version of the NEMS Water Quality is not intended to be applied until the document is released as Version 1.0 in April 2018. The NEMS Steering Group declines any responsibility for planning or budgeting decisions made based on this DRAFT Standard.

Feedback:

These documents are released publicly to seek feedback from individual and organisations with an interest in water quality monitoring, analysis or reporting. Please follow this link to provide your feedback: http://www.nems.org.nz/feedback/.

Comments and feedback may be provided until 6 December 2017.

Please note that feedback MUST BE provided via the NEMS website, and feedback provided by any other means may not be considered. This is to enable a streamlined and manageable process when reviewing and incorporating your thoughts and comments.

General guidelines for feedback:

Please include the page number and Section number relevant to each of your comments so that we can easily track and collate them

Where you believe something is, or may be, incorrect or missing, please clearly identify this in your submission along with the suggested amendments and/or additions;

Please be mindful of the scope of this Standard – there is little point in providing comments pertaining to programme design or data interpretation, as they fall outside the scope of this Standard, and will not be able to be incorporated.

Please also note:

Chlorophyll a field measurements (fluorescence): Feedback from those experienced with chlorophyll a field measurements by fluorescence would be appreciated on the calibration and validation of sensors.

The details of some of the listed laboratory test methods are currently being examined in more detail through a literature review and inter-laboratory trial that will be completed before the NEMS is officially released in 2018. Differences in laboratory preservation and analytical practices for nutrients (particularly very low level measurements), chlorophyll a, and some anion and cation test methods are the primary focus of this investigation.

Timeline for the rest of the process:

The opportunity to provide feedback and comments will remain open on the NEMS website until 6 December 2017. Prior to that date, Juliet Milne (Lead writer) and Olivier Ausseil (WQ NEMS Project Manager) will be at the NZFSS Conference, during which Juliet will be presenting on the NEMS Water Quality. They will be happy to discuss the NEMS with you at this time.

After 6 Dec, your feedback and comments will be compiled and systematically addressed by Juliet, Olivier and other parties from the working group and NEMS Steering Group where necessary. Communication about your feedback will not necessarily be entered into unless there are points of clarification required or issues that need more discussion to resolve.

It is intended that the Version 1 of the NEMS Water Quality will be released in April 2018, if not prior, depending on the scope of change required from this Version 0.1 DRAFT. An implementation workshop will be organised in May/June 2018, to provide users with practical guidance on how to implement this Standard.

Water New Zealand Stormwater Group – Stormwater Management Survey

You are invited to take part in a research survey regarding the collaboration of urban site design teams (architects, landscape architects, engineers, planners etc.) in the design of sustainable stormwater management systems.

This research is being conducted through the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Toronto in collaboration with Autocase. Your participation will provide insights into the roles of each discipline in urban site design and how these roles affect the implementation of sustainable stormwater management systems. This research will help provide a foundation to create educational methods and design tools that are accessible to the various disciplines involved in the design process in an effort to promote sustainable site design.

Please complete this on-line survey to be a part of this exciting research study! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sustainablesitedesign7

Comparable international data will be made available to New Zealand stormwater networks.

Our slow-moving disaster as sea level rises

A look at the effect that rising sea levels will have on our communities and the infrastructure that holds them together. Report by the Herald's science reporter.

South Canterbury DHB urges people to monitor their private wells following report on nitrates, E.Coli

Fears of nitrates potentially causing "blue baby syndrome" have prompted the South Canterbury District Health board to tell families, and particularly pregnant women, to check their water is safe if they are using a private bore.

A recently-released ECan survey found a number of wells across Canterbury had unsafe levels of nitrate.

Three wells in the Orari-Temuka-Opihi-Pareora water zone, around Timaru, already exceeded the acceptable level. See more

Auckland Council plans an extra $600m to clean up Waitemata Harbour

Auckland Council is looking to spend a further $600 million to reduce diluted sewage pouring into Waitemata Harbour and onto inner city beaches nearly every time it rains.

The extra money will go to extending a massive new pipeline to reduce overflows and the separation of century-old pipelines carrying wastewater and stormwater.

The council's environment and community committee has given the green light to develop a $1.825 billion water quality programme for the new 10-year budget, $595m more than in the existing 10-year budget. See more

Concerns raised over nitrates' effects on babies

Increased irrigation in Canterbury is putting newborn babies at increased risk from water contamination, a medical officer of health says. See more

Pipe Renewals Guidance Programme Update

This is a general update to keep interested parties abreast of progress with the Pipe Renewals Guidance Programme. The aim is to provide these regularly: feel free to circulate as necessary.

View the document here.

Conference Papers and September Journal available online

Presentations from the Drinking Water Workshop held on Tuesday, 19 September are available online here.

Keynote Presentations from the Annual Conference & Expo held Wednesday, 20 September - Friday, 22 September are available online here. The remaining papers will be available online in due course.

The September journal is available online here.

Papers from the Stormwater Conference held Wednesday, 3 May to Friday, 5 May are also available online here.

NZ Pure cans its plan to take 6.9 million litres of water a day from Blue Spring

A water bottling company has withdrawn its application to take 6.9 million litres of water a day from Putaruru's Blue Spring to send overseas.

NZ Pure Blue Springs Limited told the Waikato Regional Council it would withdraw its resource consent application on Tuesday morning, a Waikato Regional Council spokesman said. See more

$11 million pipeline required to fix Lower Hutt drinking water

The cost of treating Lower Hutt's contaminated water supply has escalated to $11 million, with a 1.5-kilometre pipeline needed to divert water away from the Waterloo treatment plant.

E-coli had been found in water drawn from the Waiwhetu Aquifer, which goes to the plant, on three occasions since late last year, and an increase in coliform bacteria was also detected.

With an investigation unable to determine the cause of the problem, Greater Wellington Regional Council agreed to continue permanent chlorination and ultra-violet (UV) treatment of the water, at an up-front cost of $4.6m. See more

Next Government has powerful mandate to tackle water quality challenge

As negotiations continue over which parties will form the next government, it is clear the environment – particularly water quality - has become one of the major policy issues to tackle.

It certainly figured prominently in the election campaign, with intense media and social media debate and farmers taking to the streets to protest about how they feared some water policies would impact them.

The rural community's fears were fuelled by disinformation and exploited on the election trail by politicians all too ready to make the most of rural uncertainty and anxiety in order to get a few more votes. See more

Denitrificaton wall could be answer to nitrate problems

Farmers trying to lift the water quality of rivers might get help from a nitrate wall proposed to go into Silverstream Reserve near Kaiapoi to lower the steam's high nitrate levels.

The Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR) was keen to assess whether the wall, which had been successfully used with sandy aquifer systems at Waikato and the United States, could have the same results for gravel aquifer systems such as those in Silverstream and elsewhere in Canterbury. See more

Fencing of waterways an effective tool to combat pollution

Fencing of waterways has proven very effective where it has been used to combat the risks of contamination from agriculture, AgResearch says.

AgResearch’s Professor Rich McDowell, the chief scientist for the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, was speaking after the publication of a study looking at policies for fencing waterways on contamination loads in New Zealand waterways. See more

Most river pollution comes from streams that don't need fencing, research shows

Most of New Zealand's river pollution comes from streams that would be exempt from waterway fencing rules, new research shows.

It calls into question the effectiveness of current efforts, which would become law under legislation proposed by the National Government.

A paper published by the American Journal of Environmental Quality found that 77 per cent of contaminants in New Zealand's rivers came from smaller waterways exempt from proposed fencing rules. See more

New Zealand Lifelines Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment

The New Zealand Lifelines Council has now completed the report ‘New Zealand Lifelines Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment: Stage 1 September 2017’ which provides a summary of New Zealand’s national lifelines infrastructure and vulnerability to hazards.

This document has had wide input from national lifeline utilities, regional lifelines groups, New Zealand Lifelines Council members and key government / industry agencies involved in infrastructure resilience. Lifelines infrastructure refers to all the transport, energy, communications and water services sectors that are fundamental to supporting New Zealand’s communities and economy.

The use of this report by others and suggested enhancements is welcomed and encouraged. This report will be a live document with regular updates as new information comes to hand. In depth assessment of particular subjects will be contained in separate reports.

Please provide feedback to myself at lisa@infradecisions.co.nz or Roger Fairclough atroger.fairclough@neoleafglobal.co.nz at any time

Climate change - gaining traction on intractable issues

Water New Zealand has been working with the Deep South Challenge to help facilitate better understanding in our communities around the potential impacts of climate change on New Zealand’s water infrastructure. The Deep South Challenge aims to enable New Zealanders to adapt, manage risk, and thrive in a changing climate through connecting society with scientists.

In this article, Deep South Challenge Partnerships Director Susan Livengood talks about the relationship with Water New Zealand and how that will help clarify and respond to the needs of the water sector in a future of increased rainfall, sea level rise and more extreme weather. View the article here.

Leadership, not fear-mongering, needed over waterways

Change is daunting, uncomfortable and challenging but it is also inevitable. Nothing remains the same and it requires strong, skilled and sympathetic leadership to guide people through change with a minimum of fear and disruption.

Unfortunately, when it comes to cleaning up our waterways and protecting the environment from further harm, some sectors of the farming community fear any change to what they are doing. See more

Havelock North report shows economic value of water treatment

26 September 2017

A report revealing that Havelock North’s water contamination outbreak has cost around $21million shows that effective water treatment makes economic sense.

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert says it cost just $1million to install a water treatment plant for the Havelock North community following the outbreak.

He says if the plant had been installed before the outbreak, it would not only have prevented more than 5000 people suffering from the debilitating effects of campylobacter, it would have been a very sound economic investment.

The independent report, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, has just been released.

It estimates that the cost of household inconvenience such as boiling water and taking time off normal activities cost $12.4m and that health related costs of $2.5m were relatively modest because of the efficient and effective way in which the general practice and support services were mobilised.

John Pfahlert says that communities and water suppliers need to weigh up the cost of an inevitable outbreak of disease caused by untreated water compared to the relatively minor costs of providing treatment.

“Twenty-one million dollars is a significant amount of money, especially compared to the cost of water treatment. But we also know that water contamination outbreaks have a big human toll. A number of people are still suffering as a result of the Havelock North outbreak and we know there were at least three deaths linked to the water contamination."

He says the outbreak could have been even worse if the strain of campylobacter had been slightly different.

“In that case we could have been looking at a way bigger calamity including a scenario of many more deaths.

“Whatever way you look at it, water treatment is a no brainer and water suppliers need to be very aware that outbreaks are way more costly than preventive treatment.”

World Rivers Day heralds boost for water quality data

Understanding and improving our waterways requires high quality information and communities can now access the latest on their rivers, lakes and streams thanks to fresh data available today. World Rivers Day (Sunday 24 September) highlights the value many people see in rivers, and strives to increase public awareness and improved stewardship of rivers around the world.

Water quality is of high importance to many across New Zealand and became a key election issue. It is clear New Zealanders want to see a lift in the quality of our fresh water resources. See more

NZ 'rolling dice' with untreated water - Canadian expert

A visiting Canadian water scientist says he is at a loss to understand why all drinking water in New Zealand is not treated to avoid the risk of illness. Dr Steve Hrudey from the University of Alberta attended the Water New Zealand Conference in Hamilton. He studied an outbreak of E coli in the water supply in Walkerton, Ontario in 2000 when seven people died, and the campylobacterosis outbreak in Havelock North in August last year which affected many people. See the RNZ story here.

​Survey reveals New Zealanders have major concerns about water quality

20 September 2017

A nationwide survey has revealed that the majority of New Zealanders are concerned about pollution and the impacts of climate change and intensive agriculture on water quality.

The survey, undertaken by Water New Zealand, also found that most New Zealanders want to see charging for water extraction, particularly by water bottlers and other commercial interests as well as the agricultural sector.

The New Zealand Water Consumer Survey 2017 is a nationwide poll of almost 5000 people and seeks to gauge what New Zealanders think about critical issues associated with water.

It has found that most people are very concerned about drinking water quality in New Zealand though they believe that their water supplier provides high quality drinking water. These results differ across the country and people in urban areas have most confidence while confidence declines in regional centres and in rural areas.

The majority of respondents are concerned about poor water quality in their waterways, particularly litter and floating plastics, as well as sewer overflows.

Water New Zealand CEO, John Pfahlert says that across the country there are concerns about the future of water and its availability.

“People understand how extraction, climate issues and pollution are impacting on our water resources and the quality of waterways.”

Half the respondents believed that local and national governments do not work together to make the right decisions for New Zealand’s water resources and one in three people are uncertain that drinking water providers adequately plan for the future.

As well as attitudes and values, the survey set out to understand how New Zealanders, as consumers, rated their own regional water supplier.

It found that environmental concerns are a key driver for saving water and only nine percent are not concerned about saving water. But it also found that, particularly in Auckland where water and wastewater is charged on a volumetric basis, saving money outranks environmental concerns as a motivator for water saving.

Mr Pfahlert says the survey shows that New Zealanders would prefer to pay for how much water they use instead of a service charge in their rates.

“The survey aims to provide water service providers including local and central government with a deeper understanding of customers’ views and understanding of water issues.

“This will help the development of relevant and sustainable policies around water and especially provide water service providers with evidence to help transitioning to a more customer-centric focus.

“To make the findings particularly useful, we have developed an online tool which will enable a “slice and dice’ approach to information so that we can easily see demographic and regional differences to the findings.”

The survey was undertaken by consultant Arup and the results presented at the Water New Zealand conference in Hamilton today.

Key findings

Drinking water

  • eighty-nine percent (89%) are somewhat to very concerned about drinking water quality in New Zealand.
  • Four in five respondents (83%) are confident that their water suppliers provide high quality drinking water. The level of confidence varies depending on the participant’s environment. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of respondents in urban areas selected “good” or “very good”. This reduces to sixty-four percent (64%) for those in rural areas.
  • Almost half of respondents in rural or regional areas (42%) experience changes in the look, taste or smell of their drinking water. In urban areas urban areas 37 percent experienced changes in water quality.

Water shortages and saving

  • More than four out of every five respondents (86%) were somewhat to very concerned about water shortage in the whole of New Zealand. Concern for water shortage across the country is widespread.
  • Saving water is a high priority and the main driver to save water is to do “their bit for the environment” with four out of five (83%) selecting this option.
  • Auckland, where water and wastewater is generally charged on a volumetric basis, is the only region where the motivator of saving money is higher than environmental concern
  • Three in five respondents (63%) agree that they would prefer to pay for how much water they use rather than a fixed charge in their rates

Water charging

  • Nine out of ten people want to see a charge for extracting water from the environment for bottling or similar. Three in five people (59%) believe that there should be a cost when taking water from the environment for all users and nine in ten (89%) respondents agree that there should be a cost when taking water from the environment for bottled water and similar industries.
  • More than three quarters (77 percent) believe there should be a cost when taking water from the environment for agriculture and horticulture
  • 58% believe that water suppliers provide high quality customer service. This is lower in regional centres (53%) and rural and small communities (49%) and significantly higher (76%) in our largest urban area, Auckland.

Climate change

  • More than four in five respondents (85%) are somewhat to very concerned about climate change impacts, with the same proportion of people somewhat to very concerned about flooding and seventy-four percent (74%) somewhat to very concerned about drought.
  • Half of the respondents (50%) believe that local and national governments do not work together to make the right decisions for New Zealand’s water resources.
  • One in three (36%) respondents are uncertain that drinking water providers adequately plan for the future.

Water quality

  • Three in every four people (73%) are concerned about poor water quality in their waterways. Forty-three percent (43%) would pay more to have better quality waterways and sixty-nine percent (69%) believe councils should invest more to improve waterway quality.
  • Eight five percent are somewhat to very concerned about intensive agricultural and horticultural impact on water

Pollution

  • Eighty-three percent (83%) of respondents stated that litter and floating plastics were the pollutants in their local area that concerned them the most, closely.

Go here for the national survey report and the data tool to see a breakdown of the survey findings across regional, age and gender demographics.

Untreated drinking water poses huge health risk – Drinking Water Workshop

Untreated drinking water poses huge health risk – Drinking Water Workshop

19 September 2017

Drinking water suppliers have been told they are taking a big risk with the health of their communities if they do not treat drinking water for possible contamination.

Visiting water contamination expert, Dr Steve Hrudey from the University of Alberta told an audience at the Water New Zealand Drinking Water Workshop in Hamilton that the Havelock North contamination was caused by a number of systemic failures.

These included complacency, communication failure and a lack of curiosity about possible contamination indicators.

He says overall however, there appears to be a reluctance on the part of many water suppliers, here and overseas, to treat water because of misperceptions about contamination barrier options such as chlorine.

He says fear of chlorination of drinking water is common but that fear is not based on credible, compelling evidence of human health risks.

Steve Hrudey says it is vital to ensure that all drinking water is treated to remove contamination and that simply testing for contamination does not provide a barrier.

“By the time testing shows water is contaminated it has already been distributed into people’s homes.”

Environmental consultant Jim Graham told the audience today that Havelock North’s Water Safety Plan had many contradictions and that it had become a compliance document rather than what its original intent was – a risk management tool.

The Drinking Water Workshop is bringing together experts from around the world and New Zealand to discuss the learnings from last year’s Havelock North water contamination outbreak.

Water New Zealand Annual General Meeting - Important Information

This a reminder that the Annual General Meeting is to be held on Thursday, 21 Septemeber at 5pm at Claudelands Arena.

Copies of the Annual General Meeting documents can be found here. We will not have copies available on the day so we suggest you print your own in advance of the meeting.

Graeme Mills has been nominated for Honorary Life Membership, this will be voted on by the members. We suggest that you read Graemes bio to ensure you can make an informed vote on his nomination.

International Drinking Water Expert and Conference Keynote : Steve Hrudey Radio interview this week – “Chlorine: not agent of the devil”

One of the world's leading water contamination experts says New Zealand is vulnerable to another drinking water crisis because of a lack of chlorination. Professor Emeritus of the University of Alberta, Dr Steve Hrudey, prepared a 50-page analysis on the 2016 contamination of Havelock North's public drinking water on behalf of Water New Zealand. He says a failure to recognise close calls and complacency were a major factor in the crisis, as well as the avoidance of chlorination. Dr Hrudey is out in New Zealand speaking at the Water New Zealand Conference, starting next week.

Listen here.

Association Updates

View updates on:

Progress with Certification for Operations Staff

There has been some progress in the development of our proposal for a certification scheme for operations staff. We have begun working with the Ministry of Health and others to do the following:

  • 1.Analyse the industry feedback you’ve provided, to understand the issues, identify themes and develop recommendations. We expect this work to be mostly complete in early October 2017.
  • 2.Establish a process of further industry consultation based on the aforementioned analysis and recommendations beginning in mid-October 2017.
  • 3.Secure funding for the development of a certification regime - potentially beginning in 2018.

To ensure that the process outlined prioritises the expectations of industry stakeholders the Board of Water New Zealand has:

  • 1.Established a Steering Group (chaired by Kelvin Hill) to provide guidance and feedback – this is in the process of being established
  • 2.The CEO has engaged an independent Project Manager (Rob McCrone) who will guide the process of implementing a certification regime.
  • 3.With the support of the Ministry of Health we have engaged Allen+Clarke (consultants) to undertake the analysis of your industry submissions – in consultation with the Steering Group

New Staff Appointment

Chief Executive John Pfahlert is pleased to announce the appointment of a new full time staff member. Jim Graham has been appointed as Principal Advisor - Water Quality, and will start with the Association based in our Wellington office on 16 October. Jim will be working to provide advisory services to Councils across a range of drinking water related matters. His appointment reflects the significant workload expected to arise out of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry.


Customer Survey Report

The Association will be launching the results of the customer satisfaction survey we conducted in May at the Annual conference next week. A PDF copy of the survey will be distributed to all members in the week following conference. It will also be made available on our website as an interactive tool, allowing the membership and general public to analyse the data.


Nomination for Honorary Life Membership

The Board of Water New Zealand is pleased to advise that they will be recommending to the AGM at Conference next week that Graeme Mills of Tauranga City Council be awarded life membership of the Association in recognition of his services to the Backflow special interest group.


Metadata Standards

The Standards have now been released. This is an update on the Standards for the three waters network. The standards can be downloaded here: http://standards.meta-connect.com/

To request/suggest changes to the standards please contact:

I have circulated to industry the following:

  • 1)The ‘workshop spread sheet’ – this contains a summary of all feedback received and how it has been actioned (though agreement at the technical workshops)
  • 2)The executive summary of the business case.

The involvement of LINZ and MBIE in this initiative is now at an end. Water NZ will be the contact point for any changes people wish to request to the water standards. Note however that the Government has decided not to provide any specific funding to implement these standards. Any implementation Water New Zealand undertakes will now need to be fitted in around other work commitments.

We are in dialogue with the Transport Agency to explore options to implement the water standards in conjunction with the roading standards. It is still our desire to run pilot trials with these standards with selected councils. I will keep you posted as developments occur.

Some more details for those who are interested:

The CEO met with Dave Hipkins from LINZ and others involved with this project on 31 August. The data standards went “live” on 1 September. The ownership with be retained by the NZ Government, though that is somewhat meaningless – since no Government Department wants to “own” them.

LINZ now no longer has any involvement in the project, and Chris Kane from MBIE who was involved has resigned. An “exit” report was produced by LINZ and MBIE to Treasury, and David Taylor is in receipt of that. It appears however that the National Infrastructure Unit has no interested in their implementation. Nor is the monitoring unit within Treasury.

Minister Joyce was briefed by Treasury. He refused to allow officials to prepare a budget bid to enable more funding to be allocated for implementation.

The data standards are now hosted by Metaconnect for 2 years and they have been paid to ensure maintenance and version control. 30 hours a month has been allocated. At this stage there is no plan beyond the 2 year horizon, but I suspect the Transport Agency will ensure they provide money going forward to allow updates.

So, after all this work we have no money to assist with water specific implementation of the Standards. Water NZ is the contact point for suggested changes and improvements to the document. The CEO will be working with the Transport Agency to get Council implementation done.

After the election we propose to follow up with whoever is the Government to highlight the efficiency gains to be had from their implementation in a consistent manner across government.


Report from ELF

John Pfahlert attended a meeting of the Engineering Leadership Forum (IPENZ, IPWEA, Concrete NZ, Civil Contractors NZ and Electricity Engineers Association) where the principal issue of discussion was concern at the process of joint Standards development between Australia and New Zealand. Of particular concern are the significant costs being requested by Standards New Zealand to be involved in the review of existing joint standards.


NZ Utilities Advisory Group

The 2018 NZUAG Code Review will be officially launched at the RIMS conference in March 2018. The 2018 review process will follow a similar approach to that used in the last review. An initial submission round will focus on identifying areas where amendments to the Code may be required. Following analysis and consideration of these by the Review Committee, an initial revised draft of the Code will be produced. This will then become the base document for the second consultation round, which will be undertaken in conjunction with a national seminar series based around proposed Code changes and significant issues raised. Following Review Team analysis of second round submissions, a final revised draft will be prepared for consideration by the full NZUAG Board. Once signed off by the Board the new draft Code will go through a process of legal review, before eventually being submitted to the Minister of Infrastructure for final approval and sign off. A five member Code Review Committee, consisting of two Corridor Manager and two Utility Operator representatives, along with the Independent Board Chair is in the process of being set up to carry out the review. If you are interested in being a part of such a committee, please contact the administrator Colin Lewis on info@nzuag.org.nz

Tony Hale from Waipa District Council is the interim WSMG representative on the NZUAG.


Deep South Science Challenge

This is one of eleven national science challenges. The Deep South science has multiple sub projects from recalibrating the earth system model with a higher resolution section for New Zealand and Antarctic area through to climate change impacts and opportunities for iwi; Impacts and Implications for infrastructure and Engagement of decision makers and end users of what the currently know and what the y need to know.

It is envisaged that over the next year Water New Zealand will be co-ordinating presentations and discussions between members and the Deep South project.


Wet Wipes

On behalf of the New Zealand waste water sector Water New Zealand has signed the MoU for voting rights with the International Water Services Flushability Group. (IWSFG)

The objective of the IWSFG is to develop and maintain clear standards that define suitable criteria for products that can be flushed down toilets and drains, and labelled flushable, to protect water collection and transfer systems, treatment plants, their workers, and the environment.

This objective is supported by Publicly Available Standards (PAS) documents setting out the test protocols and other information supporting and referenced in the standard.

http://iwsfg.org/


Pipeline Workshops

In conjunction with the IPWEA and Quake Centre the Association ran two very successful industry workshops in Hamilton and Palmerston North last month to update members on recent developments around pipeline resilience issues. They were well attended with 36 and 30 attendees respectively. The workshops will also be run in Queenstown on 6 November and Christchurch on 7 November. Registration to these events is via www.waternz.org.nz/Queenstown and www.waternz.org.nz/Christchurch

Expression of Interest - Twinning Partnership with Solomon Water Water and Waste Water Expertise Technical Coaching and Mentoring

Solomon Water (SW) is a dynamic and growing State Owned Enterprise based in Honiara. To facilitate our vision of “Safe Water for a Healthy Nation”, we are looking to form an agreement with a water utility partner to work in collaboration with us to support our staff in building capacity and increasing technical skills and competencies, contributing to the creation of a sustainable organization that can deliver on its full range of commitments and projects.

This Twinning arrangement is an innovative one, and will require a partner who is happy to work with us on this program to suit current needs and develop as the relationship and in progress learning unfolds.

It is important to note that this is not a paid consultancy, but rather an opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to the water industry, The Solomon Islands and use this as an organisational developmental opportunity for the Partner and their selected staff.

The Twinning initiative will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) who will cover only those costs associated with travel, accommodation and per diems for Partner and SW Staff.

The successful Partner will support SW’s Operations Manager and Operational team leaders in improving the management of SW’s water and sewer operations.

Requirements

  • Willingness to deliver the Partnership on a pro- bono basis
  • Significant Water and Waste Water Management Expertise
  • Availability of skilled technical and trades people to participate and support the program
  • The ability to have staff visit the Solomon Islands for short periods
  • The ability and willingness of staff to provide regular mentoring and coaching face to face and remotely
  • The ability to host SW staff in the Partners home location or operational sites for short periods
  • The ability and willingness to mentor, coach staff and support with their growth and development with care and continuity
  • A professional approach with the desire to participate in a Partnership of real and lasting value that will evolve, develop and support a close neighbor and developing country

It is expected that the Partner will provide support and mentoring on a monthly basis for up to two years with the arrangement coming into effect by November 2017. A formal twinning contract will be negotiated with the utility that best suits Solomon Water’s needs.

The majority of activities will be focused on technical development in the ‘hands on’ management of water and waste water operations provided by Solomon Water. It is also expected that the selected Partner will have the capacity to arrange for key team members to work alongside technical peers in operational roles within the Australian water industry, in a short term support and learning capacity.

SW believes that the opportunity to partner with a like minded and allied industry organisation that has both the capacity and experience in the water and utilities arena will allow its team to thrive and develop skills and capability that will allow it to continue to meet the current and emerging challenges and opportunities that face it in the development context.

If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact Solomon Water’s General Manager, Ian Gooden on +677 8960777 or +677 24028 for a full Terms of Reference.

To apply please send your response addressing the Terms of Reference to Ian Gooden - General Manager at igooden@solomonwater.com.sb

Applications close on Wednesday 4 October 2017.

Find out more here.

Water front and centre

Water is one of the hot topics this election, and is becoming one of the issues of our time.

From quantity to quality, rights to royalties, seldom it seems has this substance — that is fundamental to life and leisure in New Zealand — been so fiercely debated. See more

Farmers need support to improve water quality

Good publicity, collaboration and support are vital for farmer involvement in cleaning up waterways, a report on the Rere water quality project has found. See more

Four Otago waterways decried as 'lost rivers'

Four Otago rivers have been described as ''lost rivers'' by a national fishing group, which says they are now unable to be fished because of water quality and flow issues. See more

Metadata Standards Released

This is an update on the development of Metadata Standards for the three waters network. This notification is to inform you that the standards have now been completed and are ready for implementation.

The standards can be downloaded here: http://standards.meta-connect.com/

  • Please note, the simple and free registration process has been streamlined and reregistration will be required for those that had access to the draft standards.

To request/suggest changes to the standards please contact:

Included areseveral attachments below:

  1. The ‘workshop spread sheet’ – this contains a summary of all feedback received and how it has been actioned (though agreement at the technical workshops)
  2. The executive summary of the business case.

The involvement of LINZ and MBIE in this initiative is now at an end. Water New Zealand will be the contact point for any changes people wish to request to the water standards. Note however that the Government has decided not to provide any specific funding to implement these standards. Any implementation Water New Zealand undertakes will now need to be fitted in around other work commitments.

We are in dialogue with the Transport Agency to explore options to implement the water standards in conjunction with the roading standards. It is still our desire to run pilot trials with these standards with selected councils. I will keep you posted as developments occur.

Contact John Pfahlert at Water New Zealand if you wish to discuss this project.

Govt coastal erosion efforts 'too little, too late'

It's too little, too late from the government on rising sea levels, an expert says after a leaked report, and councils are having to bear the brunt.

The unpublished 284-page draft report from the Ministry for the Environment is an update of the 2008 guidance for local government on how to adapt to coastal hazard risk from climate change.

It warns sea level rise could affect more than 130,000 people, almost 44,000 residential buildings and five airports. See more

Havelock North - the way forward

International evidence can help provide lessons from last year's water contamination at Havelock North, writes John Pfahlert. See more

Election policy series: The battle over our rivers

What to do about the alarming state of New Zealand's lakes and rivers has predictably dominated the environment space in the run-up to this election.

Anger over our freshwater estate has reached boiling point as report after report has shown a pattern of ongoing degradation in many parts of the country - perhaps nowhere more so than amid the plains of Canterbury - with the dairy industry taking much of the heat. See more

Additional Conference Presentation by Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health have been allocated an additional slot at the Water New Zealand Conference to cover a range of topics arising out of the Havelock North Inquiry.

They will discuss the change in approach to the management of drinking water that has arisen from the Havelock North Inquiry. This includes: a review of the drinking-water standards, possible changes to water safety planning (and a movement towards a best-practice risk management framework that includes critical control points); suggested changes to the Drinking Water Register and the requirements for annual reporting; strengthening the management of non-compliances with the Health Act and the drinking-water standards; establishment of an expert advisory group to provide high quality, independent scientific and technical advice to the Director-General of Health on current and emerging health issues relating to drinking-water; and strengthened collaboration and cooperation between drinking-water suppliers, freshwater management and public health.

A revised framework for Water Safety Planning is currently being developed for consultation and will be available for discussion.

The paper will be presented at 12.00 noon on Thursday 21 September. See the conference program at http://www.waternzconference.org.nz/

Waikato region technical documents – members may wish to provide feedback

Members who operate in the Waikato region may be interested in a series of technical specifications currently out for comment, and others in the pipeline.

The Waikato Local Authority Shared Services - a company owned by 12 councils in the Waikato region - is seeking feedback by Wednesday 4 October on its Regional Infrastructure Technical Specification (RITS).

The RITS is a document that sets out how to design and construct transportation, water supply, wastewater, stormwater and landscaping infrastructure in the participating councils’ areas. Prior to developing RITS, each council had its own Infrastructure Technical Specifications, which resulted in different standards having to be met across the Waikato region. The purpose of RITS is to provide a single regional guide and specifications for building public infrastructure.

Click here to access the documents and feedback form.

The Waikato Regional Council is also preparing two guidelines that are expected to be available for comment sometime in 2017. The two guidelines are:

  • Waikato Stormwater Management Guideline (to replace Auckland Council’s TP10)
  • Waikato Stormwater Runoff Modelling Guideline (to replace Auckland Council’s TP108)

It was previously expected that these guidelines would be available for release in mid-2017. Work is still underway on both guidelines. Members with an interest may wish keep an eye on this work, with the view to providing feedback when the documents are released.

Thanks to the Stormwater Policy Sub-Group for bringing these matters to members attention.

Land and Information New Zealand update you on national elevation data

This is an important dataset for New Zealand, and through a pilot project where they worked with several regional councils to make data for their regions freely available from the LINZ Data Service (https://data.linz.govt.nz/group/national-elevation/data/) for reuse. Your input and feedback has helped them to build a business case for greater investment in this data. Based on this, LINZ has decided to build on the momentum of their work so far and to fund this project for another two years.

Over this time, they’ll continue to work on coordinating capture of new LiDAR data at a consistent standard and make it available for reuse. They’ll also look for opportunities to partner with others on this, as well investigate options for how they can fund this work beyond those two years.

Understanding Industry Changes

Researchers at BRANZ are currently exploring the human factors behind the construction and infrastructure industry's willingness or otherwise to adopt new practices. New practices and solutions to eliminating quality issues in our industry will have no impact if they are not able to be adopted by industry.

It is important that we listen to and understand your beliefs, perceptions, opinions, attitudes and behaviours toward adopting process and technological changes for eliminating critical quality issues in the industry.

All answers and entirely anonymous. Should you want more information, participation advice or to take part in interviews and focus group workshops, please contact Dr Lee Bint: Lee.Bint@branz.co.nz

Thank you for taking part in this important survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IndustryChanges

Herald water tax survey backs earlier Water New Zealand findings

A poll by the NZ Herald newspaper supports earlier findings of a survey by Water New Zealand showing that the majority of New Zealanders are in favour of charging for water extraction. Water New Zealand Survey

The Herald-ZB Kantar TNS online survey shows that 70 per cent of people agree that commercial water users should pay a royalty to help fund the clean-up of waterways. See more of the Herald story.

Insight: How Safe is Your Drinking Water?

Safe, clean drinking water is essential to public health and a core service of local authorities, but not all parts of New Zealand enjoy the luxury of being certain their water won't make them sick.

Half a million visitors travel to the West Coast town of Punakaiki every year to experience the natural wonder of the Pancake Rocks. Many are tourists in camper vans, who park up for the night in the local motor camp where they can shower, cook and fill up their water tanks for the next couple of days' freedom camping.

For about the last four or five years however, drinking water supplies at the camp have been on a boil water notice more often than not. See more & Listen to full Insight documentary

Without changes, gastro crisis will happen again - Water NZ boss

A new Ministry of Health report shows more than 80,000 New Zealanders are receiving publicly-supplied water that has failed bacteria standards.

Chief executive of Water New Zealand John Pfahlert explains why the Ministry of Health should be prosecuting local authorities for quality breaches.

He tells Morning Report if nothing is done to enforce standards for drinking water quality, there will be another crisis like the Havelock North water contamination in 2016. Listen to Interview

NZ's drinking water compliance totally inadequate - Water NZ

Publicly supplied water for more than 80,000 people in New Zealand has failed on bacteria standards, an official review shows.

Details in the Ministry of Health's latest Annual Drinking Water Quality Reportalso showed more than 600,000 people received water that failed standards for gastroenteritis-causing protozoa. See more

A good start, but water charge plan flawed

Labour’s water charge plan isn’t perfect, say commentators, but it’s an important step down the road to equitable use of a public asset. Dave Hansford reports.

Last week, Labour announced it would start charging “large” water users for each drop. It joined a long queue: practically every other party has already called for levies on industrial water use, with the exception of National, which is awaiting a report from a technical advisory group on this and other water issues. See more

Council decides bottling Waihou River requires iwi consent

An application to pump water from a Waikato spring for bottling will require consent from Raukawa iwi, the Waikato District Council (WDC) has decided.

Pure Blue applied to take nearly 7 million litres from the Waihou River every day, but Raukawa told WDC taking water from the stream diminishes its "mauri, wairuia and mana".

If the bottling company cannot provide written consent by October 16, the council will decide whether the application will require notification of affected parties or the public. See more

Survey reveals overwhelming support for water charging

16 August 2017

Nine out of ten New Zealanders believe that there should be a charge for extracting water from the environment for bottled water and similar industries, according to a recent survey by Water New Zealand.

The New Zealand Water Consumer Survey 2017 received nearly 5000 respondents and is the first nationwide examination of New Zealanders’ attitudes to a wide range of issues associated with water.

While the survey revealed that 89 percent of New Zealanders want to see a charge for water bottlers, more than three quarters (77 percent) believe there should be a cost when taking water from the environment for agriculture and horticulture.

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert says the findings make it very clear that New Zealanders strongly believe that private businesses that profit from the use of water should pay for it.

He says that while the overwhelming support for charging water bottlers is understandable and that on the surface this strongly supports Labour’s plans for charging for water, it’s also important that there is wider discussion about water pricing and how to ensure efficient and fair use of our water resources.

The survey also reveals that three in five people (59 percent) believe that all users should pay for taking water from the environment.”

“What’s interesting is that the results are consistent across urban, regional and rural areas.

“The survey shows that New Zealanders are generally in favour of paying for the water they use although it reveals many are unsure of what they currently pay for.

It shows many people (74 percent) already believe they pay for the water they use as well as its delivery.

“This suggests that there is a lack of understanding around water charging. Under current law, local councils can charge only to cover the costs involved in treating, transferring, maintaining and operating water infrastructure.”

The survey was undertaken in May and June this year and covers a wide range of consumer attitudes – from issues around quality and future concerns to service delivery and costs. It was undertaken on behalf of Water New Zealand members to provide better understanding of community attitudes, priorities and perceptions and to help develop comprehensive and sustainable water policy for New Zealand.

Full results will be released at the Water New Zealand Conference in September.

Calling for nominations for Water New Zealand 2017 awards - Deadline Extended

Taking home the award for the CH2M Beca Young Water Professional of the Year at last year’s Water New Zealand Conference and Expo has helped motivate Jules Scott-Hansen to continue striving to do her best for the industry and her community.

“Getting recognition was really special,” she says.

As an engineer with Opus International, Jules impressed her associates and colleagues with her professionalism, communication skills and passion for how engineering can make a difference to people’s lives.

“As a new person in the industry you’re not always told if you’re doing well, so it was great to be nominated by my Business Manager and really nice to have the recognition of my peers and colleagues for the work done early in my career.”

Jules was one of more than a dozen industry professionals to receive recognition for their contribution to the sector through the Water New Zealand awards.

“Every year we run these awards because the conference provides a great opportunity for our members to show our appreciation of the work of our colleagues and the professionalism of the water sector,” says Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert.

“These awards do mean a lot to those who have been nominated and support the professionalism of our sector. So I strongly encourage all our members to look at the awards on offer this year and ensure you get nominations in.”

Other key awards include the Ronald Hicks Memorial Award which is given for innovative work on water pollution and sewage treatment in New Zealand. Since 1985 some of the many creative leaders of the association have been recognised through receiving this award.

Chair of the Ronald Hicks Memorial Trust, Mark Milke says the award helps communicate new knowledge and important innovations and he’s asking for more nominations now.

“Today’s society continues to be challenged to solve or better understand its water pollution and sewage treatment problems. We do not have all the answers, but we do have many people contributing to important innovations,” he says.

Go to our website www.waternzconference.org.nz for more information on awards and criteria.

Key awards include:

  • Hynds Paper of the Year - recognises the best technical and presented paper at the Water New Zealand Annual Conference & Expo based on written content and quality of presentation
  • Ronald Hicks Memorial Award - made to the author(s) of an article or paper considered significant in solving or clarifying sewage treatment or water pollution problems in New Zealand
  • CH2M Beca Young Water Professional Award- acknowledges and rewards one young water professional who has made a significant contribution to the water industry and the general community, and has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the early stages of their career
  • ProjectMax Young Author of the Year- complements the Hynds Paper of the Year Award and encourages participation of young authors
  • Poster of the Year - entries are welcome on any topic of relevance to the water industry, with entries from students particularly encouraged. Poster summaries must be 250 words or less and submitted in word document format.
  • Opus Trainee of the Year – open to any trainee currently involved in an NZQA approved course applicable to the water and wastes industry
  • IXOM Operations Prize – seeking examples of best practice in the industry and nominations are welcome for individuals, an operations team, or a particular project that had a strong operations flavour
  • Veolia Health and Safety Award will acknowledge and reward a corporate entity or individual who has developed an innovation which eliminates or minimises a health or safety risk in the water industry
  • YWP Conference Attendance Award - gives the opportunity for recent graduates to attend the Water New Zealand Annual Conference or the Water New Zealand International Stormwater Conference, in order that they may broaden their knowledge and gain greater appreciation of the water environment, water management, water engineering and the water industry at large
  • Project Award provides recognition of excellence, not only in the delivery of a project, but also the contribution of various parties to the final outcome. Members are invited to nominate projects primarily associated with addressing water, wastewater and/or stormwater issues that highlight the projects technical expertise and the service applicants have provided to its clients.

Non-members of Water New Zealand are eligible for some of these awards.

Criteria and Scope for Awards

The definition and scope of each award, the criteria for selection, along with the nomination processes and timelines for submission can be found under Awards section on the conference website www.waternzconference.org.nz

Nominations this year will close Friday, 25 August August 2017, and the awards will be presented at this year’s Annual Conference in Hamilton.

Chinese company seeks consent to draw 580 million litres of pristine spring water

A Chinese-owned company has applied to draw up to 580 million litres of water a year from the pristine Otakiri Springs, near Whakatane, to bottle and ship overseas.

At a time when the commercialisation of freshwater is a sensitive election issue, the bid by the Nongfu Spring subsidiary is set to open the political floodgates.
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern is promising to crack down on royalty-free use of New Zealand's limited water resources. And National's Minister Nick Smith says his party has asked a technical group to look into charging for bottling water, but the report won't be finished until after next month's election. See more

Editorial: What lessons can we take from the gastro crisis?

Access to clean drinking water is a basic right. Most of us have taken it for granted most of our lives. We expect to be able to turn on the tap and have pure, drinkable water flow out. That was until today exactly one year ago when a gastro crisis hit Havelock North, laying low more than 5000 people, sending about 45 to hospital and having possible links to three deaths. It was the largest waterborne contamination in New Zealand's history. In today's paper, we have dedicated five pages to the event. See more

Water crisis damages New Zealand's clean green image

New Zealand's clean, green brand may have taken a hit internationally after the Havelock North water crisis last year.

Marketing experts have highlighted how most international consumers generalise and how this could be detrimental to the country's pure image.

University of Auckland senior lecturer of marketing Dr Michael Lee said when people overseas buy New Zealand goods they think of pristine, clean and green.

However, when a crisis like this happens it is not good for the international brand. See more

Years of work ahead on Hawke's Bay water from gastro fallout

The future of how New Zealand's drinking water is treated is one of the questions the Government Inquiry looked at this week, expected to lead to improvements for how drinking water supplies are managed across the country.

Since the outbreak a year ago today, Hastings' supply has been chlorinated, with some sources receiving further treatment. Due to heightened awareness, Napier's supply has also received chlorination following two separate E. coli scares. See more

Experts slam debate

Water chlorination has saved hundreds of thousands of lives globally and should not be a debate in New Zealand, scientists say.

Chlorine has been used to disinfect water supplies around the world for more than 100 years but is not mandatory in New Zealand and many water supplies are untreated.

Harrison Grierson water and wastewater manager Iain Rabbitts said chlorine should be put in all water supplies in New Zealand.

Globally it has led to the biggest increase in human life span ever, it is vitally important, he said. See more

Operation Oxfam

Oxfam has taken the popular water challenge to another level - experience Operation Oxfam!

Disasters don't discriminate. They can happen at any time, to anyone. Would you be prepared?

This October, challenge yourself, your colleagues and your mates to Operation Oxfam - the ultimate disaster simulation - and see if you've got the skills to master the disaster.

Up for the challenge? Find out more and register your team today: oxfam.org.nz/operation-oxfam

What is the Operation Oxfam challenge?

Teams of four will need to build and assemble three vital elements for survival - shelter, a water system and a toilet - strong enough to keep them going in the wake of a disaster.

A limited timeframe, limited resources and unexpected curveballs will mean that the Operation Oxfam experience will simulate some of the disasters we’re seeing happen around the world every day.

With a growing number of climate events happening in our corner of the world, the vital funds you and your team raise as part of Operation Oxfam will help us respond to climate disasters in the Pacific, which are becoming more frequent and more severe, all while increasing your preparedness if disaster strikes at home.

Operation Oxfam is taking place during ‘Get Ready Week’ and is held in association with Auckland Emergency Management.

Think you and your colleagues can master the disaster? Register your team here: oxfam.org.nz/operation-oxfam


Revised Freshwater Policy Will Help Improve New Zealand’s Freshwater Management

PRESS RELEASE - Land & Water Forum

9 August 2017

Revised Freshwater Policy Will Help Improve New Zealand’s Freshwater Management

The government has taken an important step in improving New Zealand’s freshwater management in the revised National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM).

The Chair of the Land and Water Forum, Dr. Hugh Logan, is pleased that recommendations the Forum made last year have now been incorporated in the latest NPS-FM – particularly action on river ecosystem health using two key water quality measures – nutrients, and the macro-invertebrate community index (MCI), which measures the different varieties of small aquatic animals that exist in the river ecosystem.

“We are very pleased that regional councils will now be required by law to not only monitor MCI, but also to act where it is declining,” says Dr. Logan. See full Press Release

NZ trailing other countries in drinking water compliance

New Zealand's compliance with drinking water standards is poor compared with the UK and European countries, and an independent regulator would assist in improving water quality, the Havelock North water inquiry has heard.

The final stage of hearings into the state of New Zealand's drinking water regime resumed yesterday and turned to considering whether creating one independent water regulator focused solely on drinking water safety would improve current issues with water quality.

International drinking water expert Colin Fricker, who was one of a panel of five drinking water experts, talked about what he had seen overseas. See more

Labour’s water policy raises many questions

9 August 2017

Water New Zealand says the Labour Party’s proposal to fund regional councils to improve water quality through a royalty on commercial users could help provide local communities with better resources needed to restore waterways.

“It is only fair that some of the profits from the taking of water are returned to communities to help restore degraded water quality,” says Chief Executive John Pfahlert.

“In principle it acknowledges the value of water and its huge contribution to our economic security and way of life.”

He says he can understand why voters would be attracted to policies that include charging big commercial users such farmers who rely on irrigation and water bottling companies. But he believes a fairer approach would be to charge everybody who uses water.

“Why target farmers and water bottlers and not industrial and domestic users in order to ensure that water is used efficiently across all sectors?”

John Pfahlert says it is important that there is a consistent approach to any policy on water and water pricing and not a knee-jerk response to opinion polls.

He says although publicly appealing, this policy raises many difficult questions.

“Currently the Government’s view is that nobody owns water. This policy takes the view that everybody owns the water.

“This shift in ownership status would raise questions of the rights of Maoridom who could legitimately claim a share of ownership under the Treaty of Waitangi.”

John Pfahlert says there are also questions around the mechanisms that would be used to impose a charge on water consent holders and irrigators.

“It would probably mean there would need to be retrospective legislation and this would raise many fish hooks for farmers and for the government.”

Water experts weigh in on chlorination for NZ water

The majority of experts giving evidence at the Havelock North water contamination inquiry say drinking water needs to be treated to avoid contamination.

The group of five were asked to give their opinion on a range of issues at the second stage of the inquiry, which began in the Hastings District Court. See more

Havelock North Inquiry - Expert calls for water prosecution

A water expert has told the Government inquiry into New Zealand's drinking water that

councils should be prosecuted for contaminations.

The outbreak last year made some 5500 of the Village's 14000 residents ill with campylobacteriosis, while putting 45 in hospital and has been linked to three deaths.

Levy for water needed - Jacinda Ardern

Labour party leader Jacinda Ardern says there needs to be consistency about how natural resources are treated ahead of an expected water bottling levy announcement.

Ms Ardern told the AM Show that there needs to be remuneration for water used for profit. See more

​Labour set to announce water bottling levy, as bottlers fight back

Bottling companies are hitting back at what it they call "unfair targeting of individual industries", as Labour gears up to announce it'll charge a levy to water bottling companies.

Newshub has learned Jacinda Ardern will announce her first major environmental policy on Wednesday, which will include a levy on water bottlers.

Lack of mandatory training and qualifications causes gap in drinking water safety

7 August 2017

Water New Zealand is recommending to the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry that the Government establishes a mandatory system of qualifications, competency assessment and continuing professional development for operators, supervisors and managers who operate water treatment plants.

The Inquiry reopens in Hastings today with an examination of systemic issues where there is room for improvement.

Chief Executive of Water New Zealand, John Pfahlert, says there is no mandatory system for training, qualification, competency assessment and continuing professional development for water operators, supervisors or managers in the sector – and that this is a serious gap.

He says Water New Zealand is currently working with the sector to develop an appropriate certification framework which will address this issue.

“While many councils do ensure their staff are properly trained, the lack of mandatory qualifications means there is a significant temptation to cut back on professional development, particularly when budgets are constrained.

“We know that in any sector, training is often the first casualty of tight budgets. Couple this with a lack of understanding about risk, and we have the potential for another contamination event.”

In its submission to Stage 2 of the Havelock North Water Inquiry, Water New Zealand has also urged that all drinking water supplied by a public authority be treated and that the Drinking Water Standards be reviewed.

John Pfahlert says that there is a need to review the current system of drinking water delivery to ensure that safe drinking water is delivered to all New Zealand communities.


For more information contact CEO John Pfahlert on 021 150 9763 or Communications Advisor Debra Harrington on 027 202 8857

Water New Zealand is a national not-for-profit organisation which promotes the sustainable management and development of New Zealand’s three waters (freshwater, wastewater and storm water). Water New Zealand is the country's largest water industry body, providing leadership and support in the water sector through advocacy, collaboration and professional development. Its 1,600 members are drawn from all areas of the water management industry including regional councils and territorial authorities, consultants, suppliers, government agencies, academia and scientists.

Government 3 Waters Inquiry

The Government has announced an inquiry into 3 waters, to be led by the Department of Internal Affairs. Details on the review can be found on the DIA website. The Association will be developing an active plan to respond to and engage with the Inquiry.

https://www.dia.govt.nz/Three-waters-review

Change of legislation needed if bottling companies charged for water

Most New Zealanders want to see a levy placed on water extracted by water bottling companies. Water New Zealand CEO, John Pfahlert says this would require a change in the legislation, raising the question of who owns the water. Click here to listen to Radiolive interview

​Water New Zealand submission on the Proposed National Planning Standards

View Water New Zealand's submission on the Proposed National Planning Standards - August 2017

New infrastructure jobsite coming in September

Connexis is launching an Infrastructure Workforce Jobsite!

Hosted on the Connexis website, this jobsite will enable infrastructure companies to link up with jobseekers, and advertise any vacancies you have within your crews. From apprentices to senior engineers, this jobsite will cover all available infrastructure position vacancies, and allow you to engage directly with our work to promote the infrastructure industry as a great career option.

The Infrastructure Workforce Jobsite will launch 1 September 2017, and we are now welcoming companies to send us the job vacancies you have available which will be loaded onto our jobsite in mid-August ready for the launch.

If you would like to list a job vacancy with us, please fill out this form and return it to us by replying to this email by Wednesday, 16 August 2017. We will load the vacancy for you, and send you your login details to your own employer account to manage your listing.

If you have any questions, please call 0800 486 626 or email marketing@connexis.org.nz

The Rivers Group Public Project Grant and Student Research Grant

The IPENZ/Water New Zealand Rivers Group has new contestable funding opportunities available. See here for further details.

Drinking water needs fundamental reform - engineer

A top water engineer says Havelock North's water contamination inquiry should lead to fundamental reform of New Zealand's drinking water regulation. A central question the inquiry is seeking to answer is whether groundwater can ever be considered safe for drinking without some form of treatment. Iain Rabbitts is a Water and Wastewater engineer at Harrison Grierson - he told RNZ's Kathryn Ryan that the treatment of all drinking water should be mandatory as a starting point, followed by an complete overhall of how drinking water is managed. Kathryn also talks with Canterbury District Health Board's Chief Medical Officer, Alastair Humphrey.

Go here to listen to the full interview

Napier's water to remain chlorinated as safety standards shift

Napier’s previously untreated drinking water will remain chlorinated for at least the next three months as the city loses its "secure bore" status.

The city's supplies have been chlorinated for the past 10 weeks and will continue to be treated following a meeting between Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and its drinking water assessors this week.

The council said the agencies agreed chlorination should continue, particularly since the drinking water assessors had revoked the council's secure bore status. This status was in place when water supply bores were protected from any possible contamination. See more

First tick for safe drinking-water group in Hawke's Bay

A region wide plan to protect Hawke's Bay's drinking water received its first tick yesterday.

It has been proposed all five of the region's councils and the Hawke's Bay District Health Board (HBDHB) establish a joint drinking-water governance committee, which would focus on the region's water.

Yesterday the Hawke's Bay Regional Council became the first to agree to establish the committee - which would be created once the other groups had also agreed. See more

Authorities discuss possibility that Christchurch drinking water could become contaminated

Authorities have privately discussed the possibility that aquifers supplying Christchurch's pure drinking water may become contaminated with nitrates from intensive agriculture.

The concerns have emerged from recent scientific work by Environment Canterbury (ECan), which shows deep groundwater from the Waimakariri district could be flowing towards Christchurch.

It is the first time ECan's modelling has showed that is a possibility.

It is understood the information has not been publicised due to ongoing scientific uncertainty, along with the the risk of it becoming politicised due to the upcoming election, said one source familiar with the situation. See more

Amplify our Innovation: Consider Nominating a Paper for the Ronald Hicks Memorial Award

Mark Milke, Chair of the Ronald Hicks Memorial Trust

Water New Zealand members are encouraged to consider nominations for the Ronald Hicks Memorial Award. The award has been awarded since 1985 for some of the most significant innovative work on water pollution and sewage treatment in New Zealand, and awarded to many of the creative leaders of our association. Table 1 lists the previous Hicks Award winners.

The Ronald Hicks Memorial Trust Fund was established in 1984 to recognise and commemorate the contribution that Ron Hicks made to water and wastewater management in New Zealand from the mid-1950s until his death in 1983. Ron joined the Auckland Metropolitan Drainage Board from the UK as Chief Chemist at the time when the Manukau Sewerage Purification Works was under development.

He became widely respected as an international authority on domestic and industrial wastewater treatment practices, and it was through his efforts from 1957 to 1959 that the NZ Sewage and Industrial Wastes Association, the forerunner of Water New Zealand, was formed.

Ron Hicks’ legacy is remembered through the Ronald Hicks Memorial Award made to the author(s) of an article or paper considered significant in solving or clarifying sewage treatment or water pollution problems in New Zealand.

Nominations come from Water New Zealand members, but non-members are also eligible for the award. Nominated papers and articles do not need to be published by Water New Zealand, and in today’s increasingly international and electronic world, the trustees would expect nominations for papers published in international research journals or conference proceedings, and websites both in New Zealand and overseas.

The Trust Fund is administered by three trustees who together comprise the judging panel for the award. The current trustees are:

  • Mark Milke, Christchurch (Chairman)
  • Nick Dempsey, Auckland
  • Paul Barter, Nelson

Today’s society continues to be challenged to solve or better understand its water pollution and sewage treatment problems. We do not have all the answers, but we do have many people contributing to important innovations. To help us communicate new knowledge via the award, the Trustees need the support of Water NZ members. Consider helping your association by making submissions for the Ronald Hicks Memorial Award.

Any queries regarding this Award should be made to the Chairman. Nominations can be sent via email or post to Mark Milke ( mark.milke@canterbury.ac.nz; Dept. Civil Eng., Univ. Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140), or to Water New Zealand ( amy.aldrich@waternz.org.nz). Nominations this year will close Friday, 11 August 2017, and any award will be made at this year’s Annual Conference in Hamilton.

Special report: World comes to Tauranga to stop sewage polluting harbour

A specialist workforce from 14 countries is racing against the clock on a project to stop sewage polluting Tauranga Harbour in big storms.

The trickiest bit of the $99 million Southern Pipeline project involved 52 people from every corner of the globe harnessing their skills to finish a project essential to the development of the city's booming southern suburbs.

Brian Perry Civil, a division of Fletcher Group, won a $21m contract to drill and then winch a 916mm diameter steel outer pipe to a peak depth of 35m under Tauranga Harbour. See more

Ministerial Review - Better Responses to Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies in New Zealand Submission by the Engineering Leadership Forum

This submission is from the Engineering Leadership Forum (the Forum). The Forum comprises the CEOs of New Zealand’s professional engineering associations, including the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand, the Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand, Water New Zealand, Civil Contractors New Zealand, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (New Zealand Division), the Electricity Engineers’ Association and the Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand. These organisations represent well over 30,000 professional engineers.

View the submission here.

Water New Zealand Election of Board Members 2017 and Notice of AGM

Notice is given for the call for nominations for election to the Board of Water New Zealand. The closing date for nominations is Tuesday, 1 August 2017 at 5pm.

There are six elected Board members, who are elected for three year terms. This year one position available. Sitting member David Simpson retires by rotation.

The nominee, proposer and seconder involved in the process of nominating a person for a position on the Water New Zealand Board must be financial members of the Association as at the closing date of nominations.

Official nomination attached.


ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is given for the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Water New Zealand, the trading name of the New Zealand Water and Wastes Association Incorporated to be held at Claudelands Arena on Thursday, 21 September 2017 at 5:00pm.


NOTICES OF MOTION

John Pfahlert, Chief Executive of Water New Zealand, now calls for Notices of Motion for this meeting, which shall be with him not later than 5:00pm, Wednesday, 16 August 2017. Please note that all notices of motion shall be in writing to the CEO and be dated and signed by the mover and seconder, both of whom must be financial members of the Association. Please include an explanation for the reasons of the motion. Any notices of motion submitted after 5:00pm on Wednesday, 16 August will not be accepted.


Please contact Amy Aldrich, Association Secretary, Water New Zealand if you have any queries.
Email: amy.aldrich@waternz.org.nz or
DDI: +64 4 495 0894

Big push for clean water

DairyNZ boss Tim Mackle believes the industry can lift its game, remain confident and maintain the country’s clean, green image, writes We don’t want to see more dairy in New Zealand if it harms the environment.

Staying profitable and competitive in a global market has been a constant challenge for New Zealand’s dairy industry over the years. DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says New Zealand’s dairy sector has no choice but to evolve to meet international demand. “That needs to happen at a faster pace than in the past. It’s not just the challenges we face reaching markets, but also because of the opportunities that are opening up for us,” he says. See more

Submission for Water New Zealand on the Proposed National Planning Standards - draft for comment

Water New Zealand is seeking feedback on the draft submission for Water New Zealand on the proposed National Planning Standards. Please provide feedback to Charlotte Cudby by Thursday 27 July.
E: charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz
P: 04 495 0893

Water Metering of Customers on Reticulated Supplies Good Practice Guide Completion

Water New Zealand has recently completed the Water Metering of Customers on Reticulated Supplies Good Practice Guide. This is now available in the Water New Zealand Library. Links to these document can be found below.

The objective of Water Metering of Customers on Reticulated Supplies, Good Practice Guide (the Guide) is to prescribe industry good practice for the supply, use, and operation of water meters used for the sale of water by an organisation to its commercial and domestic customers.

National Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety in the NZ Water Industry documents

Water New Zealand has recently completed the National Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety in the NZ Water Industry document, this is now available in the Water New Zealand Library. Links to this document can be found below.

The material is intended for use by organisations responsible for water, wastewater and stormwater operations. The document has been targeted for use by the following users:

  • Health and safety coordinator/manager
  • Operations and maintenance manager
  • Senior management teams.

The material is intended to provide model guidelines that organisations can develop operational specific material from, or to update existing procedures and material. The guidelines set a common approach and standards for both organisational and operational risk management.

Taxing water not as crystal clear as it seems

OPINION: The latest calls from Greens and Labour for a water tax acknowledge it would need to be applied in a 'fair' way, but I wonder if they understand just how difficult to nigh on impossible that would be to achieve.

A key reason is the basic geography and climate of New Zealand, which means that some areas get more rainfall and others are more reliant on irrigation.

For example, Canterbury accounts for just under 60 per cent of regional water use, Otago just over 10 per cent and the other three summer dry east coast regions around 5 per cent each. See more

Council appoints independent chair to lead water services change programme

Hastings District Council has appointed Napier Port chief executive Garth Cowie as external chairperson to lead the change programme for water services operations within Council. This change programme follows an independent review of Council’s water operations commissioned by chief executive Ross McLeod, to address shortcomings identified through the Inquiry and to ensure that Council has in place the capability, capacity, systems and people to ensure safe drinking water for the community. See more

Water quality riles residents

Seven months on from last year’s earthquake, many Kaikoura residents are still without clean drinking water.

November’s 7.8 magnitude quake damaged several of Kaikoura’s water supplies, particularly in the rural areas, and boil water notices remain in place for the Fernleigh, Peketa, Oaro, Kincaid, East Coast and Suburban supplies.

Rick Irvine is on the Suburban scheme and said every time it rained his water was undrinkable. There were many others in the same boat, who were paying for bottled water or boiling water on a daily basis. He questioned why he was still being charged for a service which he was not getting.

Water quality riles residents.pdf

Groundwater pesticide survey of interest to water suppliers

A total of 165 wells were sampled as part of the 2014 national survey of pesticides in groundwater, a survey that is conducted on a four-yearly basis. The survey aims were to update the national overview of pesticides in New Zealand’s groundwater systems, to investigate temporal variation in pesticide concentrations, and to identify environmental factors associated with pesticide contamination. Samples were analysed for around 80 pesticides using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. Pesticides were detected in 28 wells (17%), with two or more pesticides detected in 10 wells (6%). Pesticides were detected in wells from six of the 13 regions sampled.

One well contained a pesticide (dieldrin) at a concentration greater than the maximum acceptable value (MAV) for drinking water. Twenty-one different pesticides were detected, with most concentrations being less than 0.1 mg m-3. Only four of the 51 pesticide detections exceeded a concentration of 1 mg m-3. Comparisons with earlier surveys indicate similar levels of pesticide detections in groundwater over the last 12 years, with higher levels of detections before that time. The majority of wells sampled in each national survey have not had pesticides detected; where detected, the concentrations were mostly less than 0.1 mg m-3 and, with the exception of dieldrin and terbuthylazine, less than 5% of MAVs.

View the document here.

First reports to be released for CouncilMARK™ local government excellence programme

Local Government New Zealand is pleased to announce that the Independent Assessment Board (IAB) will release the first reports for the new CouncilMARK™ local government excellence programme this week.

Release of the first assessment reports will be today, Thursday 13 July 2017 via the CouncilMARK™ website with an accompanying media release from the IAB.

Eighteen Foundation Member councils have signed up to the programme. A number have completed an independent assessment across four priority areas and have received an overall assessment rating and commentary on how they are performing.

The first reports to be released are:

  • Horowhenua District Council
  • Matamata- Piako District Council
  • Napier City Council
  • Queenstown Lakes District Council
  • Ruapehu District Council

The IAB will now consider the draft reports and ratings for further Foundation Member councils in August and September.

LGNZ congratulates these councils for participating in the programme and taking the lead within the sector to show and grow the value of local government in New Zealand.

About CouncilMARK™

The CouncilMARK™ programme is designed to help our members show and grow council performance and the delivery of value to our communities and was established in response to reputation research which showed an opportunity for improvement, to highlight both the good and the areas for progress, and chart a way forward for the local government sector.

As outlined in prior communications, CouncilMARK™ involves an independent assessment of councils across four priority areas, and has been specifically tailored for New Zealand councils. Each participating council receives an assessment rating and commentary on how they are performing, as well as support to lift this rating over time. CouncilMARK™ has significant sector support.

Some observations

While each report accounts for the individual circumstances of different councils, a number of common themes emerged across each of the four focus areas. Under governance, most councils’ vision documents were clear and easily understood. Financial decision making is generally conservative and prudent. Under the service delivery and asset management priority area, services were mainly found to be aligned with council vision and goals. Most councils performed well on communicating and engaging with the public and business. Councils keep their constituents regularly informed and are accessible to the community.

On the other hand the reports show councils could see improvement in a number of ways across the focus areas. For governance councils could look to embed stronger risk management regimes. Financial decision making could be improved by strengthening audit and risk committees by including an independent member. Some councils have an opportunity to improve their service delivery by increasing councillor focus on asset management. Several councils had created considerable investment in various ways to communicate, but some channels such as social media were under used.

Next steps

LGNZ will release its own supporting media release. You can view more information about CouncilMARK™ at its website.

Councils are being encouraged to distribute their own media releases and engagement with their community on the results and develop action plans for improvements.

A call for a second intake of participating councils will be announced later in 2017.

For further information on the CouncilMARK™ local government excellence programme please contact Helen Mexted, Deputy Chief Executive Advocacy or Angela Rego, Programme Manager.

Engineering e2e employer

Having trouble recruiting the engineers you need? Supporting this Engineering e2e research could help.

Engineering e2e is undertaking research to understand more about potential barriers to recruiting engineers.

The short online survey will be used to develop communications and tools to help both graduates and employers.

“There’s anecdotal evidence that employers –especially small- to medium-sized companies and those outside the larger cities – have difficulty finding the people they need,” says Sir Neville Jordan, Engineering e2e Steering Group Chair. “We want to test that view and understand who is applying, and which qualifications are being considered.

“One thing we are particularly interested in understanding, is why engineering businesses employ – or don’t employ – engineers with NZDE, NZDEP or BEngTech qualifications.”

There is a link to the 10 minute survey from the e2e home page: www.engineeringe2e.org.nz or connect directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q6YQ53V

Employers who complete the survey can ago into a draw for a $500 voucher, but Sir Neville said he expected the main motivation would be to would be to help the industry.

“The more you help us to understand, the more we can do to ensure we have the right people with right qualifications.”

All NZ councils urged to treat drinking water

Leaving Christchurch's water untreated is a "high-risk strategy" that could lead to tens of thousands of people quickly becoming sick, the Havelock North water investigation has been told.

However, one Christchurch City councillor says chlorinating the supply would be "insanity".

Campylobacter contaminated a bore supplying Havelock North's drinking water in August, leaving about 5000 people, roughly a third of the Hawke's Bay town's population, infected and sick.

Deborah Berlin spent seven days battling the ravages of the disease while trying to care for her newborn baby and two young children.

"You've got extreme fatigue, you can't keep anything down, you've got no energy and no ability actually to function but obviously you just have to.

"The kids got really really bad headaches and I don't think the children had really experienced headaches before so I think that was a really horrible thing for them. And cleaning up after someone else when you're not feeling well is probably like torture."

It was the country's worst ever outbreak of waterborne illness. Some 45 people became so sick they went into hospital and the illness may also have contributed to three deaths.

It is something the head of industry group Water New Zealand, John Pfahlert, is keen to avoid happening again in the 20 percent of regions that continue to supply untreated drinking water. See more

Feng shui blocks stormwater pipe plan

A Chinese couple trying to stop a new stormwater connection running under their property say the pipeline is bad Feng shui.

In a rare step, their fight with their Mellons Bay neighbour is now before the Auckland Council's Regulatory Committee. Yu Wan and Jin Han are threatening legal action should the move go ahead.

Their belief in Feng shui is not the only reason they use for declining permission for the new connection - the basis of it seems to be a bad relationship with the owner of the neighbouring development and the way he tried to get them to sign off on it. See more

Hazardous Substances Regulations changes coming


A significant step in the reform of New Zealand’s hazardous substances regime has now been completed. Following feedback received in early 2017, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment ( MBIE) has finalised the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 found here. Parts of the Regulations will come into force from as early as 1 September 2017. Transitional provisions will allow up to two years for certain new requirements to take effect, and will enable compliance certifiers to continue operating under their current HSNO authorisations until they expire.

The Regulations form part of the Government’s initiative to improve overall workplace health and safety. They will transfer the regulation of hazardous substance use in the workplace from the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act to the new health and safety at work regime (administered by WorkSafe).

The Regulations consolidate into one document, a range of requirements for the storage, use, handling and manufacture of hazardous substances in the workplace. These requirements are currently set under the HSNO Act in 15 sets of regulations, nine transfer notices, 210 group standard approvals, and around 1,500 individual substance approvals. This consolidation is intended to make it easier for businesses to understand their workplace obligations when dealing with hazardous substances. In undertaking the consolidation exercise, minor changes have been made to the HSNO controls, to simplify requirements and codify current industry practice. The regulations also provide WorkSafe with new safe work instruments which can vary certain existing requirements or set new requirements for substances, similar to the current mechanisms under the HSNO Act.

Once the new Regulations come into force, WorkSafe and MBIE intend to undertake another review of the Regulations to simplify them further. This review will commence within two years of the new Regulations coming into force. As part of this process, WorkSafe has indicated that it will partner with stakeholders to further simplify requirements for businesses, make the regulatory framework easier to understand, remove unnecessary regulation, and provide more certainty to reduce compliance and transaction costs.

If your business stores or uses hazardous substances then the Regulations are likely to be relevant to your business practices and compliance costs.

To help you stay informed, Worksafe will be producing email updates to interested people about some of the key areas of change and duty holder responsibility. If you haven’t already, we do encourage you to subscribe to receive these.

You can also read the first of Worksafes web pages about the Regulations. This will be built on on these over time to provide more information and guidance.

Please also forward this to others you think may be interested.

Subscribe for hazardous substances updates from Worksafe here.

Proposed Operator Certification Scheme - Consultation Document

Please find attached a consultation paper from Water New Zealand on a proposed NZ Operator Certification Scheme.

The Havelock North campylobacter outbreak in August 2016 highlighted to industry the importance of ensuring that the systems in place to supply drinking water are robust and effective. The resulting Government Inquiry has raised questions about the training and competence of staff involved in the management, supervision and operation of the water treatment and reticulation system.

It is now evident to many in industry that the absence of an effective system for the training, qualification, competency assessment and continuing professional development of staff is a serious gap in the provision of safe drinking water to many New Zealand communities.

While the Inquiry will eventually make recommendations in this space which may or may not be acted on by Government, it is the responsibility of industry to step up and take a leadership role in this area now. While regulation may or may not follow, we need to implement such a scheme on a voluntary basis as soon as possible.

To that end the Board of Water New Zealand proposes the development of the system of Certification as described in this paper for those involved in the water treatment and wastewater sectors. It is proposed to include managers, supervisors and operators. The extent to which we initiate a system of continuing professional development for those holding water reticulation qualifications has yet to be resolved, but under consideration.

This consultation paper details the requirements the Board believes are appropriate for such a Certification scheme. The Board recognises that what is included in this paper is a major change for industry. It will be challenging to implement, require a significant financial and human investment by employers, and take time to do. Some form of transitional provisions may well be required.

However, they also believe it is absolutely essential if we are to maintain the confidence of the general public. It is the intention of the Board that we table this proposal with the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry on 21 July 2017, recommending to them that the Inquiry calls for Government to make such a scheme, or something similar, mandatory. That is, required by regulation under the Health Act. We will speak in support of the proposal to the Inquiry when it reconvenes on 7 August 2017.

Correspondence has already been sent to all regional council and territorial local authority CEO’s signalling the intent expressed above.

We acknowledge the very short notice of this paper due to the timing of the Inquiry. Water New Zealand would like high level/preliminary views on the document sent to ceo@waternz.org.nz by Monday 17 July. Or call to discuss with John Pfahlert on 021 150 9763. Detailed commentary on the proposals can be made with a longer timeframe – but by close of business on 14 August.

Council strategy for water availability

A new Waikato Regional Council freshwater strategy designed to tackle significant pressures on water availability and quality in the region has been signed off by councillors.

The strategy - developed after extensive consultation with iwi and regional stakeholders - takes a long-term view of the issues and suggests a range of new policy tools and instruments to better manage water.

"The strategy will now be available during the development of our 2018-28 long term plan which will see us having a continuing strong focus on water allocation and quality issues, a core part of our work," said chairman Alan Livingston.

The discussion on the long term plan relates to the entire region and is separate from the current Healthy Rivers Wai Ora Plan Change 1 proposal which is aimed at restoring and protecting the Waikato and Waipa rivers. See more

Water problems push up rates

Napier City Council signed off its 2017-18 annual plan at a meeting on Wednesday, voting to increase the total annual rates take by 4.9 per cent. Earlier the council had proposed a 3.9 per cent increase but agreed at the meeting to take in an extra $502,000 to fund drinking water initiatives.

A report prepared for the meeting by council chief financial officer Caroline Thomson said the council’s capital plan had been amended to accommodate ‘‘costs associated with changing industry expectation around public water supplies following the Havelock North government inquiry’’. See more

'Lake Snot' spreading in South Canterbury

An algae that produces a brown, snot-like slime has been found in at least a dozen South Island lakes, including some of the country’s most pristine.

It likely exists undetected in other lakes around the country due to a shortage of testing, a scientist says.

Lindavia is a microscopic algae that can produce lake snot, a sticky substance that clings to people’s skin and clogs fishing gear, boat engines and filtration systems.

It is related to didymo, the nuisance pest that infected many South Island rivers.

Lake snot is non-toxic and does not have any known health effects.

Until now, Lindavia was known to be in a handful of lakes, most in Otago.

However recent testing has confirmed its presence in a further seven Canterbury lakes, including Tekapo, Benmore and Waitaki. See more

Geraldine Water Solutions group put alpine water proposal before ECan, community representatives

A group of Geraldine farmers are asking a water zone committee to consider bringing in alpine water to farms in the area, to help both agriculture and the region's waterways.

The Geraldine Water Solutions group presented their recommendations to the Orari-Temuka-Opihi-Pareora zone committee on Monday.

Member Milne Horne said there would be a "huge impact" on farmers if the region's rules around waterways were to change without bringing more water in.

The group wanted the zone committee to consider alpine water as an option. See more

Could Westport move to escape rising sea level?

‘‘If you take the view that in 100 years Westport is more likely to be located to the south side of the Buller River then our water supply . . . would not meet that need.’’ Cr Phil Rutherford

A West Coast councillor says rising sea levels should be considered when building long-term infrastructure in low-lying coastal towns.

The Buller District Council has been debating the collapse of a century-old water supply tunnel in Westport, a town of 6000, at the council table for some time.

At its June 28 meeting, councillors rejected plans to pipe the tunnel.

A report from Opus consultants said piping costs escalated from $1.9 million to $4.97m between its March 2016 and June feasibility reports. See more

Fight to charge water bottlers heats up

Parties across the political spectrum agree bottling companies should pay for the water they take but the Government is sitting on the fence.

With less than 90 days remaining before polling day, it looks as if water pricing could blow up as a key election issue.

In June, bottling company New Zealand Pure Blue Limited applied for the rights to take 6.9 million litres of water per day from the Waihou River's Blue Spring near Putaruru, South Waikato. See more

Nats at odds on bottled water charge

Parties across the political spectrum agree bottling companies should pay for the water they take but the Government is sitting on the fence.

With less than 90 days remaining before polling day, it looks as if water pricing could blow up as a key election issue.

In June, bottling company New Zealand Pure Blue Limited applied for the rights to take 6.9 million litres of water per day from the Waihou River’s Blue Spring near Putaruru, South Waikato.

It’s the latest chapter infuriating people around the country where billions of litres of water are destined for export and at no cost for the raw product.

Water New Zealand chief executive John Pfahlert called for a national discussion on a water pricing regime.

‘‘The time for taking our water for granted is now over,’’ Pfahlert said. ‘‘New Zealand needs a plan and it needs it now.’’ The group is a wide ranging industry body covering all facets of water management, distribution and commercial operators. See more

Gareth Morgan wants to charge water bottlers

Gareth Morgan wants to charge commercial users of water for every litre they use - even farmers.

Morgan's The Opportunities Party (TOP) launched their fresh water policy on Wednesday, the ninth of 13 planned policies.

It stipulates that public water access - the stuff that comes out of your tap - should be protected, but every other litre should be sold at market price.

A percentage of profits should go to Maori as the rightful owners of the water under the Treaty of Waitangi. See more

Greens question government over water bottling - Parliament

Question Time in Parliament - 28 June 2017

5. JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green) to the Prime Minister: Why did he say that “we accept there is growing public concern” over bottling and exporting water for profit, and when will he address that concern by putting a charge on water bottling?

Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Prime Minister): I said it because there was, and there is. That is why we have asked a technical advisory group on water allocation to look at the issue. We look forward to considering its report later on this year. It is an issue that needs to be seen in the context of all the other intensive work that is going on, to focus on better use and higher quality of fresh water in New Zealand.
James Shaw: Will he commit to implementing a resource rental on water if the technical advisory group recommends it?
Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: The member has leapt to a much broader assertion about resource rentals on water. We have yet to see what the technical advisory group comes up with.
James Shaw: Will he commit to implementing a price on water bottling if the technical advisory group recommends it?
Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: It just does not make sense to make open-ended commitments well before we have got an indication of the advice. But what I would say to the member is that over the last 5 or 6 years the Government has done intensive work on all these water-related issues, and from that we have learnt the importance of getting the science right, getting a very good understanding of all the different dimensions of the problems related to the use of water and the quality of water, and we have learnt not to jump to conclusions about what the right answer is. See full answers and further questions

Built Environment Leaders Forum – Summary of Findings

The key messages and output of the Built Environment Leaders Forum have already been socialised widely since the Forum. The Findings have:

  • contributed to the development of the Christchurch City and Wellington City Resilience Strategies
  • provided input to the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management’s National Disaster Resilience Strategy
  • been presented at engineering, lifelines, and natural hazard management conferences in New Zealand and overseas
  • been published in engineering magazines
  • been published on websites, along with all of the keynote speaker presentations - http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/building-construction/safety-quality/built-environment-leaders-forum

This Summary of Findings document outlines a series of areas where forum attendees identified there was a need for further work according to the five main themes of the forum – strategic directions, economics of resilience, smarter land use, resilient buildings, and resilient infrastructure. It takes a systems view of the built environment to consider more carefully where we build not just how we build. It considers our buildings and infrastructure as part of an integrated system that involves neighbouring buildings, activities and people.

In particular, the Summary of Findings can be used to inform future thinking about natural hazard issues, building and infrastructure policy settings, and future land use planning for New Zealand. We note that this effort supports the recent Productivity Commission’s report ‘Better Urban Planning’.

We believe the Summary of Findings document provides a useful framework for identifying opportunities to improve our built environment to work with the natural hazards we face in New Zealand. The Kaikoura earthquake, in particular the significant impact on Wellington’s commercial buildings, provides a constant reminder of the high hazard environment we live in. The initiatives contained in this document are important for both public and private sector decision makers towards achieving a more resilient built environment for our communities and to our economy. This document also helps focus attention on where to prioritise built environment research investment.

View the Summary of Findings document here.

NZ Pure Blue wants to send millions of litres of Waikato water offshore

Millions of litres of crystal clear spring water could be bottled and shipped overseas in a proposal backed by the local council.

NZ Pure Blue Springs Limited wants to take from Putaruru's Blue Spring in the Waihou River more than the amount of water currently being pulled from the Waikato for bottling. See more

Formal collaboration needed to help ensure safe drinking water

27 June 2017

Water New Zealand is calling for formal collaboration in the drinking water sector to help avoid another contamination crisis.

In its submission today to stage two of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry (which is looking at systemic changes needed to improve the drinking water regulatory environment), Water New Zealand says that there is a need for a new system of formalised collaboration across the sector, mandated at a national level.

Stage one of the Inquiry, which looked at causes of the outbreak, found that the "dysfunctional relationship" between the regional and district councils and their lack of co-operation resulted in a number of missed opportunities that may have prevented the outbreak from occurring.

Across the country, there are 76 water utilities, 20 district health boards, 16 regional councils and several government ministries involved in regulating various aspects of water.

Water New Zealand CEO, John Pfahlert says that with so many agencies involved it is inevitable that at times they will work independently of each other and that inconsistencies and gaps could occur.

However, he says a one size fits all collaboration approach would not be appropriate.

“While it is important that collaboration is mandated at a high level, the details need to be determined at a regional level to allow each region to develop an approach that best suits its particular circumstances.”

He says that since the Havelock North campylobacter outbreak many other regions have already taken steps to work more collaboratively and to close any communication gaps in their region.

But he says it’s important that collaboration or partnerships do not operate in a vacuum because there are other changes, such as through legislation, that are also needed to ensure safe drinking water across the country.

Time to ban glitter - it's just as bad as microbeads, experts say

Microbeads might be on their way out – but have you thought about glitter?

Environment Minister Nick Smith announced earlier this year that cosmetic products containing tiny plastic pieces, known as microbeads, will be banned in July next year.
There are concerns about their impact on the marine environment, because they get through filtration systems and are ingested by marine life. See more

Concern about adverse effects of increased irrigation

Irrigation is increasing on Rangitikei's coastal sand country and Horizons Regional Council has measures in place to pull it back if there are adverse effects.

Over the last five years more and deeper bores have been sunk, Horizons science and innovation manager Abby Matthews said. Land use is changing from a mix of sheep and beef and forestry to dairy, irrigated sheep and beef, cropping and some horticulture. See More

Targeted approach wanted for water

Federated Farmers is seeking a ''targeted catchment approach'' to addressing water quality, where sustainable economic growth could be achieved alongside environmental goals.

The rural lobby organisation has launched its manifesto before this year's election, challenging political parties to take a sensible, practical and affordable approach to tackling issues of high importance to its members.

It supported a framework for catchment partnerships that co-ordinated community, council and scientific efforts.

''This could involve a range of taxpayer and region-wide rates-based funding to assist in the most cost-effective way to manage our regional waterways.

''This way we can target those hot spots that need immediate attention through applying science-based data, investing resources and funds more wisely, to understand and ultimately alleviate the worst affected areas,'' outgoing national president Dr William Rolleston said in a statement.

Catchment communities should have more say in how their waterways were managed as every catchment was unique in regard to its current state and how it should be managed in the future.

Much of the water quality debate was ''dominated by emotive slogans and assumptions based on skinny data, patchy scientific knowledge and highly speculative modelling''.

That led to problem definitions that did not accurately reflect the on-the-ground reality, the manifesto said.

''In the absence of a well-defined problem, there is no hope in developing cost-effective solutions that achieve the desired result - improved water quality,'' it said.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment highlighted most water quality challenges were local, not national, scale issues.

Efforts to maintain and improve water needed to be focused on priority catchments and not undermined by blunt, broad-bush national regulations and approaches.

Federated Farmers recommended greater focus and investment in biosecurity measures, in the wake of several high-profile biosecurity incursions in the past year.

If New Zealand suffered a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, such as that which struck Europe in 2001, it was estimated the cost to the country would be more than $16billion.

The manifesto also asked for reform of the Resource Management Act where there was redress of economic priorities which underpinned rural economies and their social prosperity.

View full article

Ofwat calls on water companies to have robust data strategy

Water companies must be ambitious in the way they use data to benefit customers, and ensure they have a robust data strategy in place, the economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales has insisted. See more.

Otago farmers search for advice to reduce their water impact

More Otago farmers are looking for advice to reduce their operation's impact on water quality and comply with rules in the Otago Water Plan. See more

Future-focused plan for NZ's infrastructure needed - LGNZ

New Zealand’s infrastructure is at a crossroads and needs to be a key focus in the upcoming election, Local Government New Zealand says. See more

Great support for water survey

Water New Zealand’s customer survey closed last week with response numbers significantly above expectation thanks to the support from councils and our members around the country.

In what was the first-ever survey of its type, nearly 5000 New Zealanders took the opportunity to have their say on water – from the service they receive from their utility company to issues about quality, ownership of assets and future concerns.

We’re very grateful for the support we received from our members – particularly our Council CEOs, communications and water services staff.

The survey will provide sound information for water services providers to help inform planning and strategic development and to understand where improvements can be made.

Analysis of the data is currently underway and the key results will be presented at the New Zealand Water Conference and Expo in Hamilton in September and made available to members after that.

Survey reveals UK water firms trailing on value for money

The UK water industry is in danger of slipping behind other utilities when it comes to providing value for money to customers, the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has warned. See more

UK water utility facing prosecution for 2015 cryptosporidium outbreak

United Utilities (UU) is facing charges over a cryptosporidium outbreak which affected approximately 700,000 people in Lancashire in 2015. The company has received a summons from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), and a full court case will be heard, commencing June 30. See more

Building National Infrastructure Capacity: Lessons from Scotland

This latest report from Infrastructure NZ reports on a recent study tour to Scotland by Infrastructure NZ and lessons for NZ.

View the document here.

Time for national conversation about water pricing

By Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert

The overwhelming public support for royalty charges to companies bottling and selling water offshore is a signal that a national conversation over water pricing is long overdue.

It was clear that the Environment Minister, Nick Smith under-estimated the level of concern earlier this year when he labelled the growing public frustration over bottled water as “misguided”.

The Minister’s response that it would be wrong to charge for extraction for bottled water while ignoring the water taken from our aquifers for wine, milk or soft drinks may have made sense from a policy perspective, but it missed the public sentiment of growing concern over declining water quality and the way that water is exploited in this country.

Globally, water is becoming a precious resource in the same way as oil, gas and gold.

Sooner or later, countries will be charging for it in the way they do oil, says Russian academic Stepan Svartsev in response to plans to pipe water 1000 kilometres from Siberia to China’s parched northwest region.

With 20 percent of the world’s population and just seven percent of its fresh water, it’s been estimated that by 2020 many of China’s northern cities, including Beijing, might run out of water.

New Zealand, on the other hand, is blessed with an abundant supply of water, which as we know, is the foundation for our dairy sector. In 2010, farmers were permitted to take about 4707 million m3 of water per year from New Zealand’s rivers and aquifers for irrigation, mostly for dairying. Sixty eight percent of those water rights were allocated in Canterbury.

As well, it’s been estimated 23 billion litres a year has been allocated for bottled water bound for destinations all over the world including USA, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Just this month, the West Coast Regional Council has granted a consortium the right to build a pipeline from the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park to Jackson’s Bay, south of Haast to pump 800 million litres of water per month straight onto ships waiting offshore. The plan is to export this to Kuwait.

So why is this precious resource given away so freely? Why does our Government, on behalf of taxpayers, make hundreds of millions of dollars a year in royalties for oil, yet it allows foreign owned companies access to water rights at token rates?

Part of the reason, from the Government’s view, is that nobody owns the water and therefore nobody should pay for it. Yet we know that water permits for irrigation are worth literally millions of dollars to permit holders in the same way that oil is liquid gold for the petroleum industry. And you could make the same argument of non ownership about minerals that are the subject of royalty regimes.

It is clearly time for a national discussion over water charging and the development of a new policy framework that reflects the true value of water.

And in fairness, water bottlers should not be charged any differently from other users just because the New Zealand public doesn’t like the fact that bottlers make a profit from the free use of a resource. What about the soft drink manufacturers, the irrigators, the dairy farmers that use up to 250 litres of water to make one litre of milk? If we do begin charging commercial users, should households pay for water?

Despite the commonly held perception, New Zealand householders currently don’t pay for water. We pay for the cost of the infrastructure, the cost and maintenance of the pipes that get the potable and wastewater to and from our houses.

Then, if water is charged for, who gets the royalties? This raises the question of ownership and the rights of Maoridom who could legitimately claim a share of ownership under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Clearly this is not a debate the Government wants to stoke in the months before an election. Instead, it has been pushed down the track past election date. Nick Smith has officials looking at bottling as part of the work of the Government taskforce on water allocation. He’s due to get a report at the end of the year.

However, as the public mood over water becomes increasingly bellicose, this is an argument that the Government will find increasingly difficult to postpone.

Labour and the Greens have already called for a charge for commercial users of water. Both parties have said that the royalties from large users – irrigation, factory takes and bottle water - should go back to local councils and Maoridom.

Water is now the new oil. Significant wealth and New Zealand’s economic security are at stake. As world water reserves shrink many drier nations may greedily eye our plentiful water resource. The time for taking our water for granted is now over - New Zealand needs a plan and it needs it now.

INDUSTRY UPDATE Watercare reviews compliance and connection processes

Changes are in the pipeline for anyone working on or connecting to Auckland’s public water and wastewater infrastructure.

Watercare has reviewed its processes relating to new developments and connections to our network to enable qualified contractors and consultants to self-certify their work.

Compliance statements will be introduced to provide a consistent system for ensuring all work carried out on our network meets Watercare’s engineering standards.

Use of the statements will become mandatory from July 1. Watercare staff will provide support and advice as needed to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

Watercare strategy and planning general manager Martin Smith says Watercare has a responsibility to ensure all public water and wastewater assets are designed and built to deliver the optimal asset life.

“As the provider of Auckland’s water and wastewater services, we have a duty of care to our customers to ensure all work carried out on our network meets our stringent standards and is carried out in a safe manner.

“The use of compliance statements will provide a consistent system for evidence-based quality control for all work carried out on our network.

“This review is about protecting our customers and enabling competent contractors and consultants to self-certify their work, which will largely remove the need for inspections from Watercare staff.

“Accepted compliance statements will also give Watercare a legal avenue to claim costs from the responsible party when negligence is discovered, so that ultimately it’s not our customers who will bear the burden of this cost.”

Watercare has worked closely with industry bodies in developing the compliance statements.

The framework is similar to that of the IPENZ producer statements, which those in the industry are already familiar with.

There are four types of compliance statements; CS1 Design, CS2 Design Review, CS3 Construction Works and CS4 Construction Monitoring. These are available on our website.

Changes to connections

Changes to the connections process will also take effect from July 1 and be fully implemented by September 30. Any connections to the public water network commissioned from July 1 will need to be carried out by one of our network maintenance contractors throughout Auckland. These include Downer, City Care and our internal maintenance staff.

Simple household wastewater connections, and pipe connections to the public wastewater infrastructure, can be carried out by a drainlayer certified by the New Zealand Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. This will need to be approved by Watercare.

Any work that involves connecting to a pressure sewer, a vacuum system or a rising main will need to be done by our network maintenance contractors.

Anyone accessing our wastewater network for any reason, such as lowering a camera into a pipe or checking the depth of a manhole, will need to gain approval from Watercare before doing so.

 If you have any queries, please visit watercare.co.nz

Under-resourced water unit still ‘in crisis’

Hastings District Council’s water services unit remains ‘‘in crisis’’ as it continues to grapple with the aftermath of last year’s Havelock North gastro outbreak, a report has found. See more

Targetting urban stormwater to clean up waterways

Urban stormwater is likely to be the next target in efforts to clean up New Zealand’s waterways.

Horizons Regional Council has started researching the type and quantity of stormwater discharges being made to the region’s streams and rivers, with a view to reducing contamination. See more

Fish Passage 2018 – International conference to be held in Albury-Wodonga

We are excited to announce that the 2018 International Conference on Engineering & Ecohydrology for Fish Passage (Fish Passage 2018) will be hosted by Charles Sturt University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Albury-Wodonga, New South Wales, on December 10­­–14, 2018.

Fish Passage 2018 will represent the first time that the conference will be held in the southern hemisphere, with previous conferences located in the United States (2011 – 2014, 2016 – 2017) and Europe (2015). Our chosen location for the conference is the headwaters of the Murray River, the lifeblood of the Murray-Darling Basin. The Basin embodies a diverse range of fish passage works and is home to an array of innovative solutions that are underpinned by a long-standing cooperative approach between engineers, scientists, managers, and asset owners. As such, Fish Passage 2018 aims to showcase achievements in Southern NSW and Northern Victoria through a structured field program; and through the conference will celebrate advances in fish passage throughout Australia, New Zealand and globally.

The conference reliably attracts over 400 delegates (half of which are international attendees) — many of which are world-renowned experts from government, research, academic and hydropower sectors. The three-day conference features concurrent sessions in engineering, ecohydraulics, biology, management and social issues. The sessions are complimented by plenary talks, professional networking opportunities as well as poster sessions, and independently-offered short courses, workshops and excursion tours that take place before and immediately after the conference. To find out more, please visit www.fishpassage.umass.edu

We are seeking your assistance to help us reach out to practitioners, funders, educators, researchers, regulators and advocates who have an interest in advancements in river restoration, fishways, dam removal, tide gates, road ecology and the multitude of funding, safety, climate change and other ecological, social and political issues relating to river connectivity projects. Our goal is to improve awareness and understanding of the common issues, concerns and lessons learned, so that we can continue to facilitate science-based solutions and actions that address the requirements of a broad range of stakeholders involved in river connectivity projects.

We are writing to seek your financial support and to encourage your attendance. We would be most grateful if your organisation could generously contribute to the success of this significant event. Four levels of sponsorship are available (all prices are in Australian dollars). Please let us know, at your earliest convenience, which support level may be most suitable to you:

Major sponsor: >$20,000 includes: 5 complimentary registrations. Free exhibition space rental. Your logo and link prominently placed on conference website and program and conference printed materials. Banners in main auditorium for duration of conference. Opportunity to develop a specific full day session or field visit. Your organisation mentioned in all official media and marketing.

Conference partner: $10,000–$20,000 includes: 2 complimentary registrations. Free exhibition space rental. Your logo and link prominently placed on conference website and program and conference printed materials. Opportunity to develop a specific half day session.

Minor sponsor: <$10,000 includes: 1 complimentary registration. Free exhibition space rental. Your logo and link prominently placed on conference website, program and conference printed materials.

Exhibitor: $1,000 per trade stall includes: 1 complimentary registration. Two-by-four metre booth space. Email list of all conference attendees. Listing in the conference program brochure and on the website. Optional: For an extra $250; a half page advertisement in the conference proceedings.

Although some way from the event, the co-organisers are attempting to secure sponsors early to ensure that recognition is captured in event marketing activities; and all printed materials.

We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you at Fish Passage 2018.

View the brochure here .

Please do not hesitate to contact the co-chairs, on the details below, with any questions.

Dr. Lee Baumgartner
Institute for Land, Water and Society
Charles Sturt University
Lbaumgartner@csu.edu.au

Dr. Matthew Gordos
Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation Unit
NSW Department of Primary Industries
matthew.gordos@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Membership Renewals, Retired Membership

Members are reminded that their paid subscriptions will renew on 1 July. Please pay your membership promptly to avoid missing out on your member benefits. For more information on the new corporate membership fees, visit the membership webpage.

Retired Membership

From 1 July retired members are invited to update their membership to the new 'retired' membership class, aimed at helping retain expertise and knowledge in the sector. Retired members will get a discounted membership fee of $50 (inclusive) per year. In order to qualify for the new 'Individual – Retired' class, members must no longer be in paid employment and must have previously held full financial membership, either as an individual or corporate additional member. Contact Pip Donnelly if you wish to update your current membership to the individual retired membership.

Hastings water review calls for 'overhaul'

A new review recommends a ‘‘comprehensive overhaul’’ of Hastings District Council’s water services to ensure there is no repeat of last year’s Havelock North gastro crisis. See more

Seeking member feedback on the development of National Planning Standards

MfE is seeking input to the first set of National Planning Standards (the standards). The development of the standards has arisen out of the recent Resource Legislation Amendment Act (2017). They are expected to deliver a common framework and some standardised material for planning documents – plans will still be able to reflect local circumstances and community preferences. Implementation of the standards will be from 2019 onwards.

Water New Zealand will be putting in a submission at the end of July and attending an MfE workshop in June to shape the initial phase. We are seeking your input to inform this work.

A common structure for planning documents is proposed with common content to be included in some areas (for example, to support national direction)

A more vertically integrated structure is proposed. That is, first by high level topic, then by zone or issue, then all the objectives, policies and methods grouped together for that zone or issue. It is also proposed that planning documents be streamlined by including some common content (e.g. related to national direction) and excluding some content that will instead be provided outside the plan as supplementary information for users (i.e. how to apply for a resource consent). A common approach to spatial layers and planning zones is also mooted. These changes are expected to make plans more user friendly, improve consistency (including in the implementation of national direction) and provide a clearer line of sight between objectives, policies and rules.

  • Water New Zealand could note that these changes are positive and common sense.
  • It could be pointed out that work to consolidate and review the effectiveness of the suite of supplementary information (to go outside the plan) could also be beneficial where it made sense to do that nationally. The relevant MfE discussion document is here (see page 9-10).

Technical guidance supporting national direction is to be excluded from the first set of standards.

Excluding this material outright from the first set of standards would be a missed opportunity given the current need to improve the accessibility and uptake of technical material. While it would take more effort up front, it could deliver efficiency benefits if focused on priority areas.

  • What areas related to 3 waters (if any) would particularly benefit from having technical guidance in support of national direction included in the first set of standards?

Common definitions and metrics are to be developed but water related terms have been excluded.

This is because the choice of criteria used to prioritise the work more strongly weighted definitions and metrics found in district plans compared to those found in regional plans and policy statements.

  • Water New Zealand could suggest that definitions related to water management and metrics related to discharges and water takes would be worth the effort in the first set of standards because it could support improved efficiency in three waters consenting processes, support implementation of the NPS-FM, and deliver benefits to the variety of end users of regional planning documents. These are all opportunities that would be missed by delaying work until the second set of standards.
  • Water New Zealand could advocate for work on priority definitions and metrics that would contribute to a better planning environment for 3 waters matters. It would also make sense to build on other initiatives such as the National Environment Monitoring Standards (NEMS).
  • What water related definitions and metrics would be worthwhile for the national planning standards work to focus on? Click the links for the MfE discussion documents that outline the definitions and metrics that are proposed.

Please provide any other feedback about how you think the national planning standards could support delivery of three waters services.

Your input is requested by the end of June.

Feel free to get in touch by phone or email.


Charlotte Cudby
Senior Policy Analyst
charlotte.cudby@waternz.org.nz
+64 4 495 0893

Drinking water on councils’ minds

Both tap water and bottled water are high on the menu for Councils as they tussle with the Government over water quality standards and water allocation. See more

Freshwater Symposium shows commitment to water improvement

A Freshwater Symposium hosted by Local Government New Zealand last week showed there is a strong platform for improving freshwater quality in New Zealand. Go here to see more

Councils face flood of water infrastructure costs

Councils across the country are facing a flood of bills to replace ageing water pipes, sewers and drains put down in the 1960s and they are calling on the Government to help plan and pay for the replacement infrastructure, which Local Government New Zealand says will cost up to $100 billion. See more

Good Practice Guide for the Beneficial Use of Organic Waste Products on Land - Progress Update

As most of you know submissions on the draft Good Practice Guide for the Beneficial Use of Organic Waste Products on Land have now closed and been considered by the Steering Group. An updated programme for work to complete this project has also been agreed. Full details of this, including submissions received are now publically available on the Water New Zealand website at https://www.waternz.org.nz/Projects (4th project down).

We wish this information to reach as many practitioners and related organisations as possible. Would you therefore please pass on this information to anyone that this may be of interest to.

Many thanks for your assistance.

Smith backs Waikoropupū conservation order

An application to give New Zealand's largest and clearest freshwater springs the equivalent of National Park status has gained the support of the Environment Minister. See more

Government commits $12m to fluoridate water

The Government has set aside $12m in funding to help with the costs of fluoridation, following new legislation that places the power to put fluoride in town water supplies in the hands of District Health Boards. See more

Select Committee reports back on fluoridation bill

The Health Committee report on the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill has been reported back to Parliament. The bill would empower district health boards (DHBs) to decide on fluoridation of drinking water supplies in their area. See more

Want clean water? It’ll cost you

The Government, along with local government, is sending out a message that, if New Zealanders want improved water quality, they are going to have to accept higher Council rates – and even higher section and house prices. See more

Opinion: Water, water everywhere

Two environmental issues have dominated the news this election year – and both have focused on our waterways. Serious storms and flooding – and the resulting economic costs – have focused attention on the impacts of climate change, while events like the Havelock North Water Inquiry have fuelled ongoing discussion about the state of our waterways. See more

Battle for access to New Zealand's biggest water permit

An Auckland company is claiming to represent the owners of a huge water bottling permit on the West Coast – but the permit owners say they have nothing to do the company.

Alpine Pure, owned by Aucklanders Bruce Nisbett and John Malyon, has told potential overseas buyers it represents the company that owns the biggest water take right in New Zealand. See more

Tasman Council Ordered to Reconsider Water Consent

“Errors” Made by Council Grant Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust Judicial Decision. Tasman Council Ordered to Reconsider Water Consent From Te Waikoropupū Springs. See more

​Improving drinking water quality will place big costs on local communities

29 May 2017

Local communities are likely to face significantly increased costs to meet water quality standards as a result of the Havelock North water contamination.

Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert said many communities will struggle to meet new standards which will almost certainly result from the findings of the Havelock North inquiry.

Speaking at the Local Government New Zealand Freshwater Symposium today, he said that water quality has become an affordability issue for small and low income communities.

“Already many smaller communities do not meet the Drinking Water Standards because they cannot afford the costs of adequate water treatment.

“It’s very likely the inquiry will recommend significant regulatory changes to water supply.

“In many regions this will mean upgrading existing water treatment plants or in some cases building new plants. There will also be increased costs around treatment such as chlorine or UV treatment.

“The inquiry has identified a number of issues in relation to drinking water delivery at Havelock North that are likely to be replicated elsewhere in New Zealand. While improving this situation will likely require a national regulatory fix it seems unlikely the government will pick up the cost.

“New Zealanders expect safe drinking water but many communities will struggle to fund this against a back drop of static or falling incomes and in some areas, falling populations.

“Water New Zealand’s latest National Performance Review (2015-2016) has revealed that communities with the lowest average household incomes are those with the highest proportion of household incomes spent on drinking water, wastewater and stormwater service delivery.

“The bill for water, wastewater and stormwater cost those households more than three percent of the average income in those areas.”

A UK study has found that three water affordability risks emerge when a household spends more than three percent of disposable income on water and sewerage bills.

Budget: Greens slam environment funding

New environment and conservation-related funding in the Budget includes $21.3 million for the Battle for Our Birds pest control programme, $4m for climate change policy work, and $1m for an iwi-based fresh water fund.

But the Green Party has slammed the Budget, arguing there is little included to stop pollution of waterways or combat climate change. See more

Safe Drinking-water Supplies: Understanding Your Risks and Responsibilities - Workshop Update

This week, the final of the Safe Drinking-water Supplies: Understanding your Risks and Responsibilities workshops were presented by Jim Graham throughout the North Island. Water New Zealand has facilitated 11 workshops throughout the country, with close to 350 attending. We have received fantastic feedback from attendees, with Jim's delivery of the presentation in a technical yet understandable manner a highlight for many.

If you were not able to attend any of the workshops but find information on this topic valuable, you may be interested in the Drinking Water Symposium that is being held alongside the main Water New Zealand Conference & Expo on Tuesday, 19 September 2017 in Hamilton.

Five internationally renowned experts in the field of water safety planning and water sanitation planning will join local presenters to discuss drinking water quality management and contamination outbreak event learnings.

Speaker and registration details will be made available along with main conference registration information in June. Visit www.waternzconference.org.nz for more information.

Don’t treat your toilet as a rubbish bin – new video launched

22 May 2017

There is a big problem lurking in sewers – one that’s becoming an expensive burden on householders, ratepayers and damaging our environment.

Putting wipes down the toilet can block pipes, which can lead to sewage overflows into homes or creeks. It's likely they can block your sewer pipes leading to a costly plumbing bill.

Wastewater treatment plants too are under increasing stress because of the growing mass of products being flushed down the sewers.

Water New Zealand and the Food and Grocery Council (representing local New Zealand manufacturers and suppliers) have been working together to highlight the problems caused by the incorrect disposal of wipes and other products such as facial tissues and sanitary hygiene products.

They’ve produced a video which they hope will help get the “don’t treat your toilet like a rubbish bin” message to the public.

Cleaning wipes, baby wipes, make up removal wipes and facial tissues are among a range of products that people mistakenly flush down the toilet, says Food and Grocery Council Chief Executive Katherine Rich.

“These products get caught in pipes, pump stations and wastewater treatment plants and cause expensive blockages.”

“Once past the s-bend, flushed wipes can get caught and block household sewers, causing toilets to backflow into bathrooms.

“Not only is this unpleasant, it comes with costly plumbing bills for homeowners. If the wipes do make it further down the drain they cling to wastewater pipes, pumps and often congeal with fats and grease to block sewers.

Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert says flushing wipes also damage the environment.

“Clogged sewers can overflow into rivers and the oceans and destroy wildlife, placing big costs on councils and rate payers to clean up.

“Everything we flush finds its way into a wastewater treatment plant and then to oceans, rivers or the land.”

The Food and Grocery Council, supported by Water New Zealand, have produced a video outlining why our toilets should NEVER be treated as a rubbish bin. It’s hoped that this video will help to educate people about the costly problems of flushing the wrong things down the toilet. The video is available for download from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcvS4BM4Gmw or Water New Zealand website http://www.waternz.org.nz/wipesblockage.

Please, tell your family and friends – our toilets are not rubbish bin. If it’s not pee, poo or toilet paper it should not be flushed.

Environment Southland faces blowtorch over declining freshwater quality

Farmer-dominated regional councils including Environment Southland have been "bloody useless" in fixing dirty waterways and must up their game or face the axe, Labour Party environment and water spokesman David Parker says. See more

Ratepayers charged 500 times more for water than bottling companies

Water bottling companies are paying an average 500 times less than ratepayers for each litre of water they're allowed to use.

A Herald investigation into water fees set by every regional council around the country found bottlers were charged an average $0.003 - or one third of a cent - per cubic metre of water.

Unsafe for swimming - Auckland's water crisis

17 March 2017

Five milllimetres of rain in a day in Auckland is enough to cause parts of the city's wastewater network to overflow, spilling raw sewage into the sea and making beaches unsafe for swimming. NZ Geographic has delved into the water problems in Auckland and looks at some of the potential solutions being talked about. See more

Bung the Bore dismayed after West Coast water export consents being granted

A New Zealand sustainable water group says the general public has been "completely ignored" in light of final consents being granted for a West Coast water export facility.

The West Coast Regional Council awarded final resource consents for Okuru Enterprises to begin construction on a water export facility and pipeline from the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park to Jackson Bay, south of Haast. See more

Proposal for metered water to be discussed by Rotorua Lakes Council

Rotorua residents could begin paying for the water they use if the council considers a proposal put forward by a local associate professor. See more

Dairy industry misses environmental goals

The dairy industry's year-three report on its commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of farming shows it has achieved six of 13 goals that were set out in 2013 but hasn't yet made a dent in nitrogen loss, underlining the long-term nature of the task of improving waterways. See more.

Tasman District Council to crack down on illegal wastewater infiltration

Illegal connections from the stormwater to the wastewater system at Mapua are in part to blame for sewage overflows in the growing seaside village, according to Tasman District Council. See more

People need to understand that clean water is a complex issue, says Bill English

The prime minister says people have "high expectations" for clean waterways, but need to understand the complexity of the problem. See more

Havelock North Inquiry findings - a wake-up call for water suppliers

11 May

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert says the Havelock North contamination could have happened elsewhere and there are lessons that water suppliers need to learn. Listen to Radiolive interview.

​Water sector needs to embrace learnings from Havelock North Inquiry

10 May 2017

The Havelock North Water Inquiry’s report into last August’s water contamination highlights a number of failures by all parties charged with the delivery of safe drinking water.

Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert says the industry needs to learn from the findings so that a similar contamination event does not occur again.

He says the report points to a failure to learn lessons from an earlier contamination in 1998 and this is consistent with international experience.

“It is very common for institutional knowledge to get lost through staff and organisational changes, and that’s something that all councils and water service delivery organisation need to be more mindful about.”

The report is critical of the performance of staff at both regional and district council levels and within the District Health Board.

“This highlights the need to ensure that staff are appropriately qualified and trained to manage drinking water systems.”

He says there were a number of missed opportunities that could have prevented the campylobacter outbreak.

“On top of this, the report highlights the fact that the Drinking Water Assessors were too hands off in applying the Drinking Water Standards.

“The report acknowledges that the DWAs were under resourced and underpowered to discharge their responsibilities and this will be taken up in Stage 2 of the Inquiry.

“The relatively high level of failure to meet the protozoal standards across New Zealand as reported in the latest Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality 2015/16 should also be a signal to other District Councils that there may be a problem in their system.

“The findings of the Inquiry correctly identify relationship problems between the Regional and District Councils. This lack of communication between the organisations meant that earlier clues that the water could have been contaminated were not picked up until it was too late.

“All councils and district health boards around the country need to heed the message that good working relationships and information sharing are critical in ensuring that safe drinking water is delivered to communities.

“Each organisation has its own role to play in delivering safe drinking water but all they need to work closely with each other so that the dots are joined and the public can be assured that there are no safety gaps.”

AC Pipe Manual publication and training expressions of interest

The Water Services Managers Group has recently commissioned the update of the AC Pipe Manuals. The manuals and associated lifetime prediction model, provide a process to assess the condition and likely remaining life of Asbestos Cement (AC) pressure pipelines, based on real life data from around New Zealand. The documents are free to download at the following link: http://www.waternz.org.nz/ACManual

Further training on operationalising the document will be delivered based on demand. If your organisation would like to nominate staff to undertake the training please send expressions of interest to: amy.aldrich@waternz.org.nz

Water New Zealand Welcomes New Staff

Water New Zealand has recently welcomed two new team members, Charlotte Cudby and Pip Donnelly.

Charlotte Cudby - Senior Policy Analyst

Charlotte is a Senior Policy Advisor with a background in resource economics, who specialises in water issues. She has worked in a variety of public and private sector roles. Her last role was supporting the work of the Land and Water Forum. Charlotte will be developing submissions on central government policy proposals of interest to members, as well as progressing policy related projects such as work to improve resource consent consistency for wastewater treatment plants.

Pip Donnelly - Administration Officer

Pip joins Water New Zealand as an Administration Officer. Pip has a strong administration background, with her most recent role being for a children’s charity. She will be mainly focused on our database and memberships, ensuring all member information is accurate and up-to-date. While the “three waters” space is totally new to Pip, she is learning fast and looks forward to meeting some of the members at the annual conference in September. Pip lives in Lower Hutt with her husband, two teenage daughters, a cat and a dog.

Report released on New Zealand’s freshwater environment: Our freshwater 2017

The Ministry of the Environment and Statistics NZ have released a national report on the state of New Zealand’s freshwater. Our fresh water 2017, measures the quality of our waterways; water quantity and flows; biodiversity in rivers and lakes; and the cultural health of fresh water. The report confirms there are serious challenges with lakes and rivers coming under increasing pressure. The report and related publications are available at: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/environmental-reporting/our-fresh-water-2017

Drinking and stormwater educational material updates

Water New Zealand is refreshing the associations educational resources on drinking water supplies and stormwater management.

Existing publications can be accessed below:
The Story of Drinking Water
Keep it Clean – preventing stormwater pollution

If you are a potential user and would like to provide feedback as part of the review please contact Lesley.smith@waternz.org.nz by COB 19 th May.

Dame Anne Salmond: Let's make rights to pure water an election issue

Dame Anne Salmond is the Patron of the Te Awaroa: 1000 Rivers project She was the 2013 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.

As Herald correspondent Frances Dallas said, it's unbelievable that pristine water from springs and aquifers should be given to private companies for no return. She wrote, "The trouble is, who owns the water? Maori? The Government?" See more

New stormwater solutions needed for NZ communities to remain resilient

New stormwater solutions needed for NZ communities to remain resilient

4 May 2017

Many communities in New Zealand need to start planning for the effects of more flash floods and seawater inundation as a result of climate change.

Future scenarios that include poorer coastal water quality caused by storms and droughts are some of the key issues being discussed at the Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference in Auckland this week.

In a report to the conference, ecologist Paul Battersby of Opus Consultants says climate change will have an enormous effect on infrastructure such as stormwater management and it?s important that local authorities incorporate climate change predictions into their stormwater design.

He says estuaries and coastal areas are particularly vulnerable and there will be more overflows of stormwater systems such as happened in Auckland earlier this year.

In the paper presented to the conference today, he says more work is needed to manage riparian margins to cope with higher volumes of water and integrating water management will be vital to reducing the amount of stormwater generated by urban development.

?It is important we start planning now because we will need to bring together a whole range of decisionmakers ? from politicians to planners, designers and scientists, in order to find solutions.?

He says there are many innovative initiatives being brought to the table. These range from design features such as buildings that harvest rainwater, semi permeable pavements to allow for more water absorption and vertical and hanging rain gardens as well as new technology.

Conference tackles big challenges over flooding and stormwater

The growing challenges of managing urban stormwater will be a key focus at a major conference in Auckland this week.

The Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference will bring together around 300 experts from local and regional authorities, as well as scientists, planners and engineers to look at the growing pressure on our water management systems caused by more and more intensified flooding.

The Chair of Water New Zealand’s Stormwater Special Interest Group, Michael Hannah says climate change and urban population growth are having a huge impact on stormwater systems.

He says Auckland is a prime example of what can happen when massive population growth places too much pressure on infrastructure.

“The Auckland region received up to 740 mm of rain across a 37 day period in March and April this year and as we know, that placed an enormous pressure on existing stormwater systems.

“We know that climate change will mean more extreme weather and more intense storms and we need to be addressing these challenges now.

He says the big question is how to fund the new infrastructure and urban design needed to ensure communities remain resilient.

“One thing is certain, there are no quick fix, or cheap, solutions. It’s going to require a lot of time, collaboration and innovative solutions.

“That’s why the theme of this year’s conference Innovative, Resilient and Future-ready, is particularly pertinent.

The conference runs from today till Friday (3-5 May) at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland. For more information and to see the speakers, case studies and papers go to http://stormwaterconference.org.nz/programme-2/

Media enquiries: Debra Harrington tel 027 202 8857

Survey asks what value do we put on water

A survey gauging national opinion on water management is asking what value do we put on water?

The survey has been put together by industry group, Water New Zealand, which will use the results to plan for the future.

National survey seeks New Zealanders’ view on water

National survey seeks New Zealanders’ view on water

1 May 2017

Water New Zealand has just launched a major survey which it hopes will help the water sector grapple with the growing challenges around planning and managing the country’s water resources.

It is the first national comprehensive survey of its type and aims to gauge New Zealanders’ attitudes and concerns about water issues – from sustainability and quality issues to how to manage aging infrastructure and increasing urbanisation.

Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert says the country’s future prosperity is inextricably linked to how well our water resources will meet the needs of a growing population, diversified industries and protection of the environment.

He says recent events such as the Havelock North water contamination have helped focus attention on what is an essential resource that most of us take for granted.

“Water is one of the most essential services that local authorities provide to customers every day yet it is a service that most people don’t fully understand and that means there is a risk that they can lose trust in a provider.

“In general, New Zealanders get great service from their water service providers at very little cost, but it is important that those providers remain responsive to communities’ needs and expectations.

“Those of us in the business of providing water services need to understand what customers and communities think, including their values, how satisfied they are with the level and cost of infrastructure and whether water quality issues are being adequately addressed.”

He says the information gathered will be used by water providers and utilities to help in future planning and ensuring customers’ needs are being met.

The survey is expected to run for about six weeks and it is hoped that the findings will be presented at the Water New Zealand Conference in September.

Go to www.nzwatersurvey.co.nz to take part in the survey.

'Serious pressures' facing rivers, Government report finds

Most of New Zealand's native freshwater species are at risk of extinction as water quality faces "serious pressures", a Government report says. Read more

IPENZ expands membership pathway

IPENZ is changing its membership structure to create a simpler and stronger pathway for all types of engineers. The new pathway includes an annual commitment to the Code of Ethical Conduct and continuing professional development, to raise the bar and increase public trust and confidence. The IPENZ AGM on 7 April passed the changes necessary to roll out the new pathway in October. As well as maintaining competence-based assessment membership classes for professional engineers, the new pathway recognises a broader range of engineering professionals, including:

  • a wider range of disciplines
  • engineering leaders and managers
  • academics
  • engineering technicians, technologists and geologists, and
  • those for whom Chartered Professional Engineer registration is not relevant.

The change is in response to a growing and more diversified profession, and addresses feedback from members. It also provides greater flexibility in terms of career breaks.

Find out more.

When the river runs dry: The true cost of NZ water

The Government says nobody owns the water, but that hasn’t stopped people making hundreds of thousands of dollars selling it, reports Eloise Gibson from Newsroom. Read more

2017 5th Biennial Symposium of the International Society for River Science (ISRS) Abstracts Closing

Abstract submissions for the 2017 5th Biennial Symposium of the International Society for River Science (ISRS) are closing on the 30th of April.

Please click here to view further information within the latest symposium update.

IPENZ Engineering to Employment Campaign

Make the World illustrates the wide range of choices available within the engineering industry, and features engineers who have studied a Bachelor of Engineering Technology or a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering. A highlight of the campaign is civil engineer, Sapoa Rimoni of Tongan and Samoan descent, telling her story of breaking stereotypes and feeling empowered to make a difference to the world.

Watch the video

Colour coding our rivers for quality

Dr Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment

FRESH water is one of New Zealand's key strategic assets. It is why we are so good at growing food.

It is pivotal to our clean green tourism brand. It is part of what makes for our great Kiwi lifestyle. See more

Metadata Update

Here is the link http://standards.meta-connect.com/ to access the latest version of the draft metadata standards.

The documents housed within this link will be used as the basis for the upcoming workshops (1st, 2nd and 3rd of May). The aim of these workshops is to work through feedback to date, and propose any amendment/s required to enable public release of the standards. As previously stated, the aim is to have the standards ready for release by the end of June 2017. It is our intention to provide the standards in both .pdf and ‘table format’ when they are formally released – we are still working on the technical solution to enable this. Send any comments to Dave Hipkins at LINZ. Dave Hipkins DHipkins@linz.govt.nz

The link provides access to the following documents:

  • The Sector Feedback document – this contains a list of feedback received to-date and how that feedback has been addressed; either within the latest drafts, as a noted item, or an item to be discussed at the workshops
  • A feedback template – please use this template to provide future feedback
  • Draft Standards - Buildings - Volumes 1 & 2
  • Draft Standards - Potable Water – Volumes 1& 2
  • Draft Standards - Storm Water - Volumes 1 & 2
  • Draft Standards - Waste Water - Volumes 1 & 2

For those planning on attending the workshops in May, please:

  1. Register for the appropriate workshops (if you haven’t already) by emailing Elissa directly
  2. Access and download the standards via the above link
  3. Populate the ‘feedback’ template with any desired amendments, and then forward to Elissa
  4. Attend the workshop prepared to discuss your desired amendments

Workshop Schedule:

  • To register interest in attending these workshops please email Elissa McIntosh (EMcIntosh@linz.govt.nz):
  • Technical workshops – 1st round (in Wellington)
    • 1st May - 8am-noon – Water volume 2
    • 1st May – 1pm-5pm – Buildings volume 2
    • 2nd May – 8am-noon – Water volume 1
    • 2nd May – 1pm-5pm – Buildings volume 1
    • 3rd May – 9am-noon – contingency workshops/meetings as needed
  • Technical workshops – 2nd round (in Wellington)
    • 24th May – 8am-noon – Water volume 2
    • 24th May – 1pm-5pm – Buildings volume 2
    • 25th May – 8am-noon – Water volume 1
    • 25th May – 1pm-5pm – Buildings volume 1

Drinking Water Quality Report

The Annual Report on Drinking-Water Quality 2015/16 was published on the Ministry of Health's website this afternoon 12 April 2017. A copy of the report can be found at: http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-report-drinking-water-quality-2015-2016

The report describes the drinking-water quality of all registered networked drinking-water supplies in New Zealand serving populations of more than 100 people and their progress towards meeting the requirements of the Health Act 1956, from July 2015 to June 2016. The report comprises the level of compliance for each category of water supplier (large, medium, minor and small) with sections 69S to 69ZC of the Health Act 1956 and the Drinking-water Standards for NZ. Overall, 80.0 percent of New Zealanders (3,032,000 people) on these supplies received drinking-water that met all requirements of the Standards, compared with 79.4 percent in the 2014/15 reporting period.

  • For the water supplies covered in the report:
  • 3,699, 0000 people (97.6 percent) received drinking-water that met the bacteriological Standards compared with 96.8 percent in 2014/15
  • 3,109,000 people (82.0 percent) received drinking-water which met the protozoal Standards compared with 80.0 percent in 2014/15.
  • 3,732,000 people (98.4 percent) received drinking-water which met the chemical Standards compared with 98.7 percent in 2014/15.
  • 3,032,000 people (80.0 percent) received drinking-water which met all the requirements of the Standards, compared with 79.4 percent in 2014/15.

Water Fools? - Southern Lakes: a changing landscape

As a population explosion engulfs Queenstown and Wanaka, local councils and water scientists are fighting a race against time to protect the Southern Lakes' pristine waters from urban run-off.

Wanaka is a township characterised by the arid Central Otago landscape - golden brown peaks stretching down to tawny plains surrounding a pristine, sparkling lake.

But its beauty and serenity is drawing new residents from northern climes - some of whom are planting sub-tropical gardens that require constant irrigation and fertilizing.

Lush, green lawns on brand new subdivisions now sit opposite tawny council grass street verges, and when it rains, fertilizer from those lawns could end up in Lake Wanaka.

In nearby big brother Queenstown, with jewel-in-the-crown Lake Wakatipu, tourists and residents battle it out in traffic jams that would frustrate even a hardened Auckland commuter.

Both towns are undergoing rapid urban development, with business parks, subdivisions and airport expansion projects underway.

Read more.

No simple fix to dirty waterways

OPINION by Pattrick Smellie : Much reporting of the prime minister's chief science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman's research into freshwater resources seemed to shred further the Government's tenuous credibility on this increasingly politicised issue.

Its uncontroversial observation - that human activity in both cities and on farms is at the root of freshwater degradation – was routinely treated as if it were a key finding.

Cue hand-wringing on whether New Zealand can intensify its agricultural production any further than it has already. Yet you will search the Gluckman report in vain for a repudiation of the Government's freshwater management approach. See more.

Water Fools? - Worry in Waihora

Irrigation accounts for 75 percent of the water taken from New Zealand's waterways, and of that figure a staggering 63 percent is taken in Canterbury.

It's a fact known all too well by locals in the Selwyn-Waihora catchment. They're facing mounting costs in cleaning up after historic land use change and rapid intensification. Read more.

Water fools? - Spray and pray

In the Rangitikei, it is known colloquially as 'spray and pray', a new practice of un-monitored intensive farming, stripping land of pasture and grazing stock in mobs. See this report by RNZ's Kate Gudsell.

Waters of New Zealand: Inside the Bottle

Some time ago, l was buying mineral water at a supermarket in Wellington. Next to me, a woman was choosing water to buy, and l asked her to what she paid the most attention when making a purchase. She said first of all, it was the price, and also its appearance.

After this conversation, I thought to myself: what do consumers really know about bottled water, and how to make the best choice when selecting one?

View the full story here.

WATER RESOURCE
STORY Dr Alexander Kouzminov

Collaborative effort means better protection for Canterbury's braided rivers

The Rangitata River is the first focus for a group tasked with protecting the margins of Canterbury's braided rivers.

The group includes Environment Canterbury (ECan), Fish and Game, Land Information New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, Ngai Tahu, Forest and Bird, and Federated Farmers.

Sir Michael Cullen to head review over Edgecumbe flood

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is commissioning an independent review of the circumstances that led to the flooding at Edgecumbe.

The inquiry would be led by Sir Michael Cullen, council chairperson Doug Leeder said

RMA Reforms Pass

The eagerly awaited Resource Legislation Amendment Bill ( Bill) passed its third reading 6 April 2017. The third reading comes 16 months after it was first introduced to Parliament in November 2015 and was the last hurdle to the National-led Government delivering changes to the Resource Management Act ( RMA), first discussed five years ago. Water New Zealand made submissions during the consultation phases of the legislation. Much of the Bill has no resemblance to what went into the House – select committee processes etc.

The Bill introduces a suite of changes to our key environmental legislation – from offshore environmental legislation through to the Public Works Act. However, the most significant changes that you are likely to see as a result of the passage of the legislation are changes to planning and national-level regulation under the RMA.

A number of the key themes in the Bill are likely to translate into changes to RMA policy statements and plans. The most well-signalled of these changes are those arising from local authorities’ new functions around ensuring sufficient development capacity in relation to housing and business land. Other themes include improving responses to natural hazards.

You can also expect to see additional regulations being made under the increased regulation-making powers under the RMA. Likely to be high on the Government’s regulation making agenda under these new powers will be the first set of national planning standards (aimed at achieving greater national consistency and easier implementation of national-level direction into local authority planning documents).

The Bill delivers more options around local authority planning processes (i.e. collaborative and “streamlined” planning processes). As a result, when, how and the extent to which, you will have the opportunity to be involved in planning processes will vary.

On the resource consent side, there will be greater restrictions on appeal rights, including no appeal rights in relation to consented ‘boundary activities’ (activities which only require consent because they infringe a rule relating to a property boundary), as well as subdivision and residential activities that are restricted discretionary or discretionary activities, and that are not part of a larger proposal that requires additional resource consents. There will also be a number of changes to Environment Court processes when appeals are made.

There will be additional controls on what resource consent applications can be publicly notified and some tightening of conditions that can be imposed on resource consents. There is now explicit recognition of decision-makers’ ability to consider proposals from developers to undertake activities with positive effects to offset the adverse effects of their proposals.

There are also a variety of changes which will make it quicker and more straight-forward to obtain RMA authorisation for smaller-scale activities with local effects. These involve a new fast tracked consenting track for certain non-notified resource consent applications, and special mechanisms for boundary activities and marginal breaches of plan rules.

Notably, the Government responded to criticism about some of the more controversial changes in the Bill by removing them. These include the requirement for consent authorities to record the relevant adverse effects of a proposal in its notification decision and the ability for consent authorities to disregard adverse effects when making a decision whether to notify a resource consent application, if those effects are taken into account in the objective and policies in the relevant plan.

Risks to low-lying South Dunedin revealed in sea-level rise maps

Digital maps have revealed the impacts of sea-level rise and flooding on South Dunedin.

The low-lying area was hit by flooding on June 3 2015, and later that year Environment Commissioner Dr Jan Wright released a report noting that in Dunedin there were more homes less than 50 centimetres above the high tide mark than any other New Zealand city.

Dam scheme proposed to solve Christchurch's dwindling water supply

A new dam scheme could help protect Christchurch's dwindling water supply - but charging residents for the water they use is still being considered.


Waste not wasted at sewage treatment plant

Palmerston North's wastewater treatment plant is powered by poo.

Human waste is getting turned into electricity to operate the facility.

The city council has just finished laying a pipeline sucking methane gas from the closed Awapuni Landfill to supplement biogas from solid waste to run a new engine to generate almost all of the plant's electricity.

Operations manager Mike Monaghan said instead of flaring off methane from the solid waste digesters as "an inconvenient waste stream", the system used waste as a natural resource.

Until early 2016, the council was running a separate gas engine at the landfill.

After its lease was not renewed, methane gas from the landfill was wasted.

About 700 metres away, the two 2300-cubic-metre solid-waste digesters were not producing enough gas for the engine located at the Totara Rd plant.

The solution was the pipeline, which will provide enough extra gas for the engine to operate almost continuously in future.

Monaghan said the system meant dealing with the city's wastewater was almost entirely powered by re-use of the waste it was processing.

After two turns through the digesters, the remaining solids also had a purpose.

While not high enough quality for commercial compost, the inert solids were good enough to use as cover on the old landfill.

Water and waste services manager Robert van Bentum said the electricity cost savings at the plant would cover the cost of the pipeline project in less than two years.

One of the two digesters was not in operation at the moment, while its roof was being repaired.

"Once both digesters have been renovated and are up to full capacity, generation will be able to be increased to a higher level."

The system would have capacity to deal with more than just the city's waste. It already took in dairy sludge from Fonterra and would be able to take more from other non-council sources.

The whole project to pipe gas from the landfill, relocate the gas conditioning skid and commission the new system cost about $382,000.

"The project will produce sufficient electricity to run the plant for most of the time and result in some surplus for sale at times.

"Not only is the project a beneficial use of a waste gas, but we're also reducing our energy footprint," said van Bentum.

- Stuff

View the full article here.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council planning big rates hike to address water pollution

Hawke's Bay ratepayers may foot a 10 per cent rate increase to fund a clean up of the region's waterways, some of which have been labeled "a disgrace".

New Zealand National Water Survey

The first National Water Survey is aimed at helping councils and water utilities better understand their customers and provide valuable information to help build customer relationships.

We are asking all water service providers to get behind the survey and help promote it on their websites, through newsletters to customers and in water and rates bills. Water New Zealand will provide marketing material to assist with promotion and will promote the survey through media and social medial channels.

In New Zealand, as well as internationally, there are many factors that are placing increasing pressure on every aspect of the water industry as it grapples with aging infrastructure and increasing urbanisation. There has also been extensive media coverage over the past year on issues ranging from water quality in Havelock North, droughts, infrastructure capacity, investment to meet growth demands and the environment.

Understanding the attitudes, priorities and perceptions of consumers is critical to developing a comprehensive and robust sustainable water policy for New Zealand. As a means of achieving this, Water New Zealand is undertaking a national survey that will engage with a diverse cross section of society and gather data and opinions on a number of water related topics. The survey will provide unique insight into what New Zealanders think about water use, customer service, water quality, price and payment, and what is important for the future of water.

Ultimately, the exercise will aim to encourage more conversations around water and raise the importance of water to all New Zealanders.

The survey will launch at the beginning of May and run for six weeks. Findings will be presented at the Water New Zealand Conference in Hamilton this coming September. For more information contact John Pfahlert – ceo@waternz.org.nz or go here to see our FAQs.

The Project

The project is being managed and led by Water New Zealand’s newly-formed Customer Value Special Interest Group. The actual project is being overseen by the following committee members:

Membership consists of:

John Pfahlert | Water New Zealand

Matthew Telfer | Watercare

Nikki Nelson | Auckland Council

Adrian de Laborde | Hauraki District Council

Ramesh Sharma | Taupo District Council

Steve Burton | Tauranga City Council

Cathy Davidson | Tauranga City Council

Tim Harty | Waikato District Council

Alexander van Paassen | Wellington Water

Jo Bryan | Wellington Water

Tomasz Krawczyk | Whakatane District Council

Project Understanding

We have engaged an international multi-disciplinary consultant, Arup, to conduct the survey. Arup has led a number of similar surveys, including the 2015 and 2016 Australian Water Outlook Surveys.

The New Zealand survey will enable Water New Zealand and its’ partners to work with the water sector and community nationally to ensure the alignment of interests and government policy to drive a sustainable water future.

The survey’s key areas of focus include:

Water use and efficiency:

Aims to understand customers’ knowledge of their water source and attitude towards the efficient use of water.

Customer service:

We would like to understand customer’s awareness of who provides their water, views on the quality of service they receive, and preferences regarding communication.

Price of Water

Are customers aware of how their water services are charged, what they are paying for, how much they currently pay, if they believe that this represents value for money, and if the cost of water influences usage.

Water quality

Gauging the level of trust in water supply, customer’s understanding of water quality and treatment, and perception of whether or not treatment is adequate.

The future of water

Aiming to understand customer perception around water issues, including water shortages and water quality; confidence in their water provider to meets future needs; and the future governance of water supply.

Stormwater

Gauging customers’ understanding of stormwater services, who provides them, who pays for them, and attitudes towards flooding and the impact on the environment.

Arup project team

The team combines members from Arup’s Auckland water team and staff who were involved in the 2015 and 2016 Australian Water Outlook Surveys. Key staff are:

Daniel Lambert - Project Director

Daniel is Arup’s Australasia Water and Urban Renewal Business Leade . As Project Director Daniel is overseeing the delivery of the project ensuring that it is being delivered to Waters New Zealand’s expectations. Daniel also led the Australian surveys.

James Peveril - Project Manager

James is a civil engineer based in Arup’s Auckland office. As Project Manager, James is the day to day point of contact, co-ordinating all works and deliverables,. James is an experienced water engineer, who has delivered three waters projects for various Councils and Utilities in New Zealand, Fiji and the UK.

Water New Zealand Contact – CEO John Pfahlert ceo@waternz.org.nz

Report on Havelock North water contamination delayed

The Havelock North drinking water inquiry panel's report on the township's water contamination in August last year has been delayed. 170329 Report on Havelock North water contamination delayed.pdf .

Water contamination bill soars to $1.5m for regional council

Nearly $1.5 million has been spent by the Hawkes Bay Regional Council on the Havelock North water contamination .

The longer game that will reach through the election

Political columnist Colin James looks at the Government's dilemma over water charging.

Better Urban Planning: Productivity Commission Reports

The final report of the Commission examining possible changes to the RMA was released 29 March. At 516 pages it’s quite the doorstopper. Water NZ made submissions to the Commission at various stages during its development over the past 2 years. John Pfahlert is arranging an article summarising key changes for the Journal in May. :

View the full document here.

Extension of report-back date for Havelock North Drinking-Water Inquiry

Hon Christopher Finlayson

Attorney-General

28 March 2017

Extension of report-back date for Havelock North Drinking-Water Inquiry

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today that the report-back date for the independent Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking-Water has been extended at the request of the Inquiry’s Panel.

The Panel, which began proceedings in October last year, will now report back to the Government in two stages.

Stage 1 will address matters relating directly to the Havelock North water contamination incident and the response to that incident. It will include findings of fact and fault. Following Cabinet approval, Stage 1 is now due to be reported back to the Attorney-General by 12 May 2017.

Stage 2 will address systemic issues and provide recommendations about managing water supply across New Zealand. It will examine the existing statutory and regulatory regimes involved in delivering drinking-water to see if improvements can be made. Stage 2 of the Inquiry is now due to be reported back to the Attorney-General by 8 December 2017.

An extension to the report-back date was requested by the Panel for a number of reasons, including:

  • delays caused by legal action between the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the Hastings District Council;
  • delays caused by the need to ensure the interim safety of Havelock North’s drinking-water;
  • the Inquiry’s decision to adopt a two-stage approach to the Inquiry; and
  • the underlying complexity of the statutory and regulatory regimes involved.

“The issues facing the Inquiry must be examined comprehensively to ensure we have a clear understanding of what happened in Havelock North,” Mr Finlayson said. “New Zealanders must be able to have confidence that the rules and practices which govern the safety of their drinking water are fit for purpose.”

The Inquiry was originally scheduled to report back by 31 March 2017. The terms of reference for the Inquiry will be amended by notice in the New Zealand Gazette to cover the new reporting dates.

The Inquiry was established under the Inquiries Act 2013 and is statutorily independent of government.

Media contact: Lucy Askew 021 823 649 & 04 817 9715

Project AF8 Earthquake Response Planning Workshop in April

Water New Zealand is looking for someone to represent industry at the Project AF8 Earthquake Response Planning Workshop in April. All our staff are busy on other initiatives. AF8 is Alpine Fault Magnitude 8 – earthquake scenario planning.

This workshop is being held to include the input of national agencies and organisations with emergency response roles and responsibilities in Project AF8. It is critical that organisations are aware of and involved in Project AF8 to ensure that planning can progress in an informed and strategic manner.

The Project AF8 workshop will be held on 26 April 2017 from 9am to 3pm. Attendees should be representatives from your organisation who would likely be called upon to manage a major national level incident. I need to confirm the attendees from Water New Zealand by 5 April 2017. RSVP to ceo@waternz.org.nz if you can attend. Wellington based preferred.

How recycled water could revolutionise sustainable development

By 2025, absolute water scarcity will be a daily reality for an estimated 1.8 billion people, writes Tamara Avellán of the United Nations University. See more .

Data ‘like oil' for water companies

Data is an incredibly valuable resource for water companies, who must use it in the right way to harness it to the best advantage, experts told the WWT Smart Water Networks conference yesterday.

Read the full article here.

Thames Water hit with record fine.

Read the full article here.

OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: New Zealand 2017

OECD Environmental Performance Reviews provide independent assessments of countries’ progress towards their environmental policy objectives. Reviews promote peer learning, enhance government accountability, and provide targeted recommendations aimed at improving environmental performance, individually and collectively. They are supported by a broad range of economic and environmental data, and evidence-based analysis. Each cycle of Environmental Performance Reviews covers all OECD countries and selected partner economies. The most recent reviews include Chile and France (2016).

This report is the third Environmental Performance Review of New Zealand. It evaluates progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with a focus on water resources management and sustainable urban development.

Read the report online here.

draft Water New Zealand Good Practice Guide for the Beneficial Use of Organic Waste Products on Land

Following on from the public meetings held throughout February the meeting notes from each meeting are now available.

Beneficial Use of Organic Waste Products on Land Overview
Queenstown Meeting Notes
Christchurch Meeting Notes
Palmerston North Meeting Notes
Hamilton Meeting Notes

The draft Water New Zealand Good Practice Guide for the Beneficial Use of Organic Waste Products on Land is now available for public review, consultation and comment. This guide will update the 2003 Biosolids Guidelines and includes for a range of other organic material. The documents comprise:

  • Volume 1; The Guide
  • Volume 2: Technical Manual

The draft documents can be downloaded from the Water New Zealand Library.

SCIRT Learning Legacy website

A quick note to let you know that the SCIRT Learning Legacy website was launched: www.scirtlearninglegacy.org.nz

It documents what SCIRT was, how it worked and the valuable lessons that have been learnt about the complex challenges of post-disaster recovery operations.

SCIRT’s funders, the Government and the Christchurch City Council, support the creation of the Learning Legacy website so the city can share the knowledge gathered in Canterbury with the rest of the country and help equip other leaders and communities around the world to prepare for and deal with similar events.

The site features about 70 items, with more to be added over the coming month.

It has been developed by SCIRT in conjunction with the University of Canterbury Quake Centre, UC CEISMIC and Resilient Organisations.

“The SCIRT Learning Legacy website is not only a great source of information for international organisations about being prepared for an event of this magnitude, but also for local people to understand a crucial part of the city’s recovery from the earthquakes,” Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch said.

Pipe Renewals Guidance Programme Update

This is a general update to keep interested parties abreast of progress with the Pipe Renewals Guidance Programme. The aim will be to provide these regularly: feel free to circulate as necessary.

Read more here.

NZQA Infrastructure Procurement training course for tender evaluators, Clever Buying

Practical Procurement Training

This exciting course covers best practice methods for preparing requests for tender and tender evaluation; and demonstrates leading-edge tools that will cut the time and costs of tender evaluations while improving the quality of decision making.

Click here to download a flier about our 'Clever Buying' courses

Confirmed dates:
Waikato, 10 – 11 April
Christchurch 4 – 5 July

There will be other additional dates confirmed in the next few weeks.

Visit the website for more information.

Last dates to enrol into the National Certificates and Diplomas in Water/Wastewater Treatment

Connexis/Opus ETC are offering the National Certificate and Diploma courses in Water and Wastewater Treatment for the final time in 2017.

This is the last opportunity to enrol in these qualifications which require completion by December 2018. Once courses are underway Opus are unable to take further enrolments.

For more information or to register email etc@opus.co.nz or call 0800 678 738.

The existing qualifications have been replaced with new water qualifications as a result of the NZQA Mandatory Review of Qualifications. Programmes for the new qualifications have been submitted and are currently being reviewed by NZQA. Work is underway on the training provision arrangements for the new qualifications.

The new training programmes are expected to be available in early 2018.

If you would like any further information on the changes to the treatment programmes, please contact:

Connexis Water Industry Manager Annie Yeates: anniey@connexis.org.nz or call 027 4400 129

Qualification Last Date of Enrolment Course Dates 2017
National Diploma in Wastewater Treatment Closed Block 1 6-17 March

Block 2 3-14 July

National Diploma in Water Treatment 30 th June 2017 Block 1 21 Aug – 1 Sept

Block 2 6-17 November

National Diploma in Drinking Water Assessment 30 th June 2017 Block 1 21 Aug – 1 Sept

Block 2 6-17 November

Block 3 5-8 February 18

National Certificate in Wastewater Treatment 24 th April 2017 Block 1 1-12 May

Block 2 31 July – 11 Aug

National Certificate in Water Treatment 5 th June 2017 Block 1 12-23 June

Block 2 11-22 Sept

The cost of water - ODT editorial

The quality of New Zealand’s rivers has been a bone of contention recently, with dairy farmers getting much of the blame for a deterioration in water quality.

Now, the export of pristine New Zealand water to overseas companies has become another touch button for Kiwis.

Labour acccuses PM of putting off water tax question

The government is "kicking the can down the road" on taxing water, and bottling companies should be paying a levy to regional councils, Labour leader Andrew Little says.

Backflow Group at NZ Plumbing Conference

The Water New Zealand Backflow Group is holding a one day forum in conjunction with the NZ Plumbing conference on Monday 10 April in Nelson. For more information, please click here.

Water exports to come under scrutiny

The Government will ask an advisory group that is part of the Ministry for the Environment to investigate the questions around exporting water.

Why the bottled water debate is too politically hot to touch

Bernard Hickey discusses why Bill English is ducking the bottled water issue.

Problems caused by flushing the unflushable

"Flushable" wet wipes that do not break down have hastened the demise of a couple of Palmerston North sewer pumps.

Two pumps at the Maxwells Line wastewater pump station are being replaced several years earlier than planned, at a cost of $100,000, because of frequent blockages and unexpected breakdowns.

City council water and waste services manager Robert van Bentum said the new pumps would be less prone to clogging.

Wet wipes that make it to the Totara Rd wastewater treatment plant have to be dumped at the landfill.ROBERT KITCHIN/FAIRFAX NZ

Wet wipes that make it to the Totara Rd wastewater treatment plant have to be dumped at the landfill.

He said many blockages were caused by wet wipes and other tissues strengthened with nylon or plastic thread that made them different to toilet paper.

They did not break down, and tended to get hooked up with other solids in the system, creating obstructions that led to "fat bergs", jamming the pipes and pumps.

The pumps were set up to automatically reverse in an attempt to clear blockages, but it did not always work.

"It's more than just nuisance value to have to take a pump apart to unclog it. It takes time and money."

Van Bentum said a wide range of wipes were only "flushable" in the sense that they disappeared down the toilet and people did not see them again.

But even after making it to the wastewater treatment plant without getting snagged, the wipes that were caught on the screens had to be taken to the landfill for disposal.

They were not biodegradable and there was no hope of using them to make compost.


He said he was working with Water New Zealand to help lobby for changes to packaging to ensure consumers knew the wipes should not be flushed.

Water NZ co-ordinator of an advisory group working on the issue Lesley Smith said problems caused by wet wipes in sewerage systems were common around New Zealand and the world.

The group was working with the Food and Grocery Council representing manufacturers and suppliers to encourage better information for shoppers.

She said people generally did not know that things like baby wipes, kitchen wipes and facial tissues should not be flushed.

"If they do not block up the drains at your own house, they can block pump stations, and then there is a risk of overflows and emergency discharges of sewage into stormwater systems, streams and rivers.

"The main message is that only pee, poo and toilet paper should be going down the toilet."

The two new Palmerston North pumps would cost about $22,000 each and cost $23,000 each to install.

The money to pay for them would have to come from a budget that had been earmarked for laying more new wastewater pipes.

View the full article here.

Urban Development Authorities

Attached is a draft submission by Water New Zealand regarding proposals by the Government to establish Urban Development Authorities. Please send comments to ceo@waternz.org.nz by 12pm on 19 April.

View details on the discussion document here.

Proposal for a Wairarapa District Council

The Local Government Commission has proposed a scheme to amalgamate the 3 Wairarapa Councils. Attached is a link to the discussion paper. It’s likely the Association will be drafting a submission in favour. Input from members is required by Friday 7 April.

Fire and Emergency Levy Regulations

The Minister of Internal Affairs has released a discussion document on proposed fire and emergency services transitional levy regulations as part of the reform of the fire services sector. You may recall Water New Zealand made a submission to the original proposals to establish Fire and Emergency NZ.

The Department of Internal Affairs is consulting on two issues:

  • levy on insurance policies covering different types of property, and
  • transitional levy relief.

You are invited to read the discussion document here: https://www.dia.govt.nz/Fire-Services-Transition and let the office know if there are issues you would like Water New Zealand to raise.

Input from members is required by Friday 7 April. At this stage our view is that the issue is of insufficient interest to members to make a submission, but I’ll be guided by feedback.

John Pfahlert, CEO
E: ceo@waternz.org.nz

National conversation needed over water pricing

National conversation needed over water pricing

20 March 2017

Water New Zealand is calling for a national conversation over water pricing.

Chief executive John Pfahlert says charging for water is a complex and difficult issue.

He says there is a need to avoid a knee jerk response to perceptions of people profiting from a valuable resource without paying for it.

Mr Pfahlert says charging or taxing for water use would lead to questions of water ownership as well as who ought to be charged and on what basis.

“It would be wrong to charge for the use of water for bottling while allowing other resource holders to continue to extract water without those same charges being applied.

“For instance if we charged water bottling companies, should we also be charging farmers, industrial users and residential homeowners?

“It would also raise the question of iwi rights and interests.

“The question of water charges and taxes has already been discussed at some length by the Land and Water Forum. However members have had strongly opposing views and therefore the Forum has never been able to reach an agreement.

“The forum’s third report in November 2012 dealt with the myriad of issues around pricing and taxing but the Government took no further action because of the difficulties raised in the report.

“We support the Government’s current view that it needs to focus on water quality but believe it’s time to start broader conversation about water pricing and charging.

He says that water supply in New Zealand is so efficient in delivering clean water that most New Zealanders never think about it, and consequently undervalue the resource.

“Perhaps the recent public debates around both water quality and charging for water bottling signals a shift in public perception.”

New detection system revolutionises water quality tests

Students on an Environmental Health Monitoring course at Massey University in Wellington are the first in the country to use a new rapid automated microbiology detection system to monitor water quality.

The student water sleuths used the TECTA B16 system to detect Total coliforms and E.coli in drinking water and river water samples from a range of sites in the Wellington Region.

Stan Abbott, course supervisor and leader of Massey’s Roof Water Harvesting Centre was amazed at how quickly the students familiarised themselves with the sophisticated workings of the TECTA B16 machine.

“In this digital age our students are all so tech savvy, they understood how to operate the machine with a minimum of fuss, much like them using a new computer or smartphone for the first time,” he says.

Last year’s Havelock North waterborne disease outbreak, in which more than 5,000 people contracted Campylobacter, emphasises the need for fast and accurate water quality monitoring tests. “This new monitoring system is relevant also to the E.coli threshold level, which has been hotly debated around the government’s recent launch of its new Clean Water policy.There has been an endless tide of opinions about the risks that will confront the public when they swim in many of New Zealand’s rivers and lakes, proving that water quality safety for both drinking and swimming in is paramount.”

Mr Abbott believes the major advantages of the TECTA B16 automated detection system include:

  • A complete, self-contained desktop, touch screen control automated microbiology testing system that is simple to operate and does not require specially qualified personnel.
  • Minimal handling of samples and no sample preparation is required. A test can be initiated anytime, while all samples do not have to be loaded into the machine at the same time.
  • Full automation of the test analysis and interpretation processes eliminates the need for subjective, visual interpretation of results. An objective, written test report is produced automatically for each sample tested.

Mr Abbott says another huge advantage is that the machine automatically transmits the data through a network connection to allow immediate notification on electronic devices, such as cell phones or laptops, as soon as a contaminated water sample is detected. “ Total coliform and E.coli results are available in two to 18 hours, depending on the level of contamination in the water sample. This immediate notification and early warning of positive sample results as soon as they occur should revolutionise water testing,” he says.

The TECTA B16 system received United States Environmental Protection Agency approval in 2014 and the New Zealand Ministry of Health approved the system for testing drinking water samples for compliance in August 2016. Currently three water testing agencies in New Zealand have purchased the system. Mr Abbott expects more will do so in the future given the importance of water quality monitoring in New Zealand.

View the full article here.

Consultation on safe work instrument prescribing training requirements for asbestos removal work

Consultation on safe work instrument prescribing training requirements for asbestos removal work

WorkSafe is consulting on a draft safe work instrument prescribing training requirements for asbestos removal work:

The deadline for accepting submissions is 24 March 2017.

Read more

New detection system revolutionises water quality tests

Students on an Environmental Health Monitoring course at Massey University in Wellington are the first in the country to use a new rapid automated microbiology detection system to monitor water quality.

Water infrastructure needs billions in investment - RNZ

The deluge that flooded hundreds of Auckland homes shows the city's infrastructure is no longer fit for purpose, and it cannot even cope with smaller weather events, critics say.

Questions over Government's water forum, as fourth group leaves

Four environmental groups have now left the Government's Land and Water Forum (LaWF), leading to claims the group is losing its legitimacy.

Metadata Standards - Update

Just an update on where we are at with the development of Metadata Standards for the three waters network. This note is to provide you with an update on this work, specifically around the ‘finalising’ of the standards.

As you are aware, draft standards were released some time ago to the industry for feedback. This feedback has been compiled and is now in the process of being mapped to the latest version of the draft standards. This work is due for completion by the end of March. For those interested in reviewing these documents further (and/or attending the workshops), they will be made available via a simple and free registration process – you can expect more information on how to access these documents in mid-April.

In order to ‘finalise’ the standards so they are ready for release (and therefore industry adoption), a facilitated series of technical workshops have been planned. The upcoming meeting schedule, including the governance meetings, is as follows:

  • Governance Meeting (in Wellington)
    • 31st March - 10am-noon
    • Invites to be sent to members of the governance group directly by LINZ
  • Technical workshops – 1st round (in Wellington)
    • To register interest in attending these workshops, please email Elissa McIntosh ( EMcIntosh@linz.govt.nz)
    • 1st May - 8am-noon – Water volume 2
    • 2nd May – 8am-noon – Water volume 1
    • 3rd May – 9am-noon – contingency workshops/meetings as needed
  • Technical workshops – 2nd round (in Wellington)
    • To register interest in attending these workshops, please email Elissa McIntosh ( EMcIntosh@linz.govt.nz)
    • 24th May – 8am-noon – Water volume 2
    • 25th May – 8am-noon – Water volume 1
  • Governance Meeting (in Auckland)
    • 8th June – 2pm-4pm
    • Invites to be sent to members of water governance group shortly

If you have any concerns, questions or comments, please feel free to contact Dave Hipkins on dhipkins@linz.govt.nz directly

Suez and CDPQ buys GE Water for 3.2bn euros

Suez and Canada's Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) are buying GE Water & Process Technologies from General Electric Company for €3.2bn in an all-cash transaction. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions such as regulatory approvals and appropriate consultation.

View the full article here.

New detection system revolutionises water quality tests

Students on an Environmental Health Monitoring course at Massey University in Wellington are the first in the country to use a new rapid automated microbiology detection system to monitor water quality.

View the full article by Massey university here.

Australasian Association of Trenchless Technology – seeking speakers for NZ Forums

The Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT) will be hosting a series of Technical Forums throughout 2017. The purpose of the events is to share knowledge, and to connect individuals working in the Trenchless Technology and underground infrastructure industries. Dates for the forums are as follows:

  • 28 March – Auckland
  • 29 March – Christchurch
  • 19 July – Auckland
  • 20 July – Wellington
  • 14 November – Auckland
  • 15 November – Christchurch

Speaking and sponsorship opportunities are now available for all events. If you are interested in participating, please contact ASTT President Steve Apeldoorn via the Event Manager Rebecca Burns: rburns@gs-press.com.au

Clean water: 90% of rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040

This document sets out the Government's further work in the ongoing programme of water reform. We are:

  • proposing a target of 90% of rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040
  • seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management
  • inviting applications for the Freshwater Improvement Fund
  • seeking feedback on the detail of policy proposals for excluding stock from waterways.

Find out more, including viewing the document and how to make a submission here.

Resource Legislation Amendment Bill

The Local Government and Environment Committee has presented its report to the New Zealand House of Representatives.

The majority of the committee recommend amending the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill. The bill proposes a range of changes to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and other laws. Some of the recommendations are to:

  • amend iwi participation arrangements in several ways, including enabling iwi to initiate the arrangements with local authorities
  • remove some of the Minister’s proposed regulation-making powers
  • introduce a single development and consultation process for national direction
  • amend the notification regime and submission strike-out provisions for resource consents
  • adjust the infringement regime for offences relating to stock-exclusion from water bodies
  • expand upon the proposed amendments to the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 relating to the decommissioning of offshore petroleum production structures.

Read the committee’s report here.

What happens next?

The next step is for the committee’s recommendations to be debated by the New Zealand House of Representatives in a second reading debate.

Can you survive 24 hours without turning on the tap?

Water New Zealand is supporting Taps Off Day on March 22.

Kiwis around the country are being challenged to go a whole day without turning on their taps – at home and at work – in a new project hoping to provide easy access to clean water for our Pacific neighbours. Go to Taps off Day for more information.

Wadeable, swimmable, indecipherable: cutting through the crap in the Nick Smith water row

The government's Clean Water package quickly became bogged down in claim and counter-claim. What did it really amount to? See this report from Jenny Webster-Brown of the Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management.

DHB view on fluoride

A senior Hamilton politician has warned that putting water fluoridation decisions in the hands of health boards won't be a straight-forward process.

New Customer Value Special Interest Group

Water New Zealand is inviting expressions of interest from members keen to be part of a newly-formed Special Interest Group (SIG) focussing on customers.

This new group will bring together members with an interest in customer focus to discuss and share issues and solutions as well as develop and maintain industry standards and policies.

The customer satisfaction survey is the first project of the new SIG. The new group will be led by a management committee, assisted by Water New Zealand staff.

If you are interested in being part of this group, please contact Vicki McEnaney, Manager, Sector Engagement, vicki.mcenaney@waternz.org.nz

Greenpages Directory

The 2017 New Zealand Greenpages, the online version of the NZ Infrastructure, Water & Environment Directory is now available online.

Clean Water

The Government has released proposals to amend the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management. Submissions close 28 April and Water New Zealand will be making a submission. Attached is a copy of the consultation paper. In summary, this is the latest in the Government’s work programme to improve New Zealand freshwater management. Policy work is co-led by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries. It builds on the introduction of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management in 2011 and its amendments in 2014 and earlier funds – Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund, Irrigation Acceleration Fund and Te Mana o te Wai Fund.

This document sets out the Government's further work in the ongoing programme of water reform. The Government is:

  • proposing a target of 90% of rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040
  • seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management
  • inviting applications for the Freshwater Improvement Fund
  • seeking feedback on the detail of policy proposals for excluding stock from waterways

A draft submission will be circulated in early April. In the meantime, if members have suggestions for areas where they would like the Association to focus, please email John Pfahlert ceo@waternz.org.nz

Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference 2017 - Update

Earlybird Registration is open now: http://stormwaterconference.org.nz/registration/

Book your accommodation at the Pullman promptly to avoid missing out: http://stormwaterconference.org.nz/accommodation/

View the Conference Programme here: http://stormwaterconference.org.nz/programme-2/

Water New Zealand Annual Conference & Expo - Update

Exhibition on sale from 15 March for 3+ Booths, 16 March for 2+ Booths and 17 March for single booths. Find more information and sign up to the mailing list on the Conference Website: http://www.waternzconference.org.nz/?page_id=681

Call for Abstracts is now open, for more information click here: http://www.waternzconference.org.nz/?page_id=1269

Sponsorship Opportunities are live at the end of the week, find more info here: http://www.waternzconference.org.nz/?page_id=683

Feedback required for a WorkSafe guideline proposal on pipe jacking

WorkSafe High Hazard Unit are looking for input on a set of guidelines for pipe jacking pipes under 3 metre diameter with reference to the UK pipe jacking Association "guidance for designers". A copy of this document is attached (refer particularly to the table in Appendix 2). Essentially this is a table that describes permissible length and diameter for pipe jacking techniques. WorkSafe are looking to adopt this in the form of a best practice guideline.

A workshop was held recently in Auckland which was attended by 24 industry representatives including contractors, consultants and asset owners, I am waiting on a reply from WorkSafe if other workshops are proposed around the country, I will pass on if any are planned.

The possible consequence of adopting such a guideline is that current techniques used for hand excavation of short length, small diameter pipelines may become restricted or prohibited. This would mean mechanised methods would effectively become mandatory with consequential time and cost implications. Please note that the guidelines would only apply to those works deemed to fall under the HSE (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2013.

The Australasian Tunnelling Society (New Zealand chapter) has agreed with WorkSafe to solicit and compile feedback from the industry representatives.

Can any feedback please be sent to Stephen Grace, Senior Projects Engineer at Watercare stephen.grace@water.co.nz09 5397884 and CC to Noel Roberts, noel.roberts@waternz.org.nz before 23 rd March.

Greater protection for Hawke's Bay rivers considered

21 February 2017

Environment Minister Nick Smith has appointed a special tribunal to consider an application for a water conservation order on Hawke's Bay's Ngaruroro and Clive rivers. 170221 Supreme court grant right for another appeal for New Zealand's fluoride test case.pdf

Supreme court grants right for another appeal for New Zealand's fluoride "test case"

The controversial and costly legal battle to fluoridate the water supply in two small Taranaki towns is heading back to court again.

Long lasting effects of gastro outbreak prompt council to consider assistance

The lingering health effects of the Havelock North gastro outbreak have prompted consideration of a fund to provide financial assistance to those affected.

Havelock North contamination - New water structure needed

Opinion: Lawrence Yule, Mayor of Hastings - The Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water has completed its hearings phase and is about to receive submissions on failings and improvements. 170216 Lawrence Yule - New water structure needed.pdf

Submission: Microbeads Consultation - draft for members comment

Water New Zealand is seeking feedback on the draft submission on the proposal to ban the use of microbeads in personal care products in New Zealand. Please provide feedback to ceo@waternz.org.nz by 24 February.

Economic Evaluation of Stock Water Reticulation on Hill Country

The report looks at eleven case study farms that changed from using natural water sources for stock water to reticulated systems of good quality, reliable water.

Urban Development Authorities

Public consultation has opened on proposed legislation to fast track the redevelopment and regeneration of urban areas to better meet housing and commercial needs. A discussion paper on the establishment of Urban Development Authorities has been released with a submission deadline of 19 May. The Association will be preparing a submission which we will consult the membership on in April. In the meantime, if any member wishes to contribute to the development of the submission with ideas or views please send these to ceo@waternz.org.nz by 31 March.

Upcoming courses Water and Wastewater Treatment

Opus ETC is offering the National Certificate and Diploma courses in Water and Wastewater Treatment for the final time in its 2017 schedule. Please note this is the last opportunity to enrol in these qualifications which require completion by December 2018. Once courses are underway Opus are unable to take further enrolments.

The existing qualifications have been replaced with new water qualifications, which originated and were registered with NZQA in 2013, with the aim to be underway in 2018. Programmes for the new qualifications have been submitted and are currently being reviewed by NZQA. Further work is to commence shortly by water industry representatives on how these qualifications and programmes will eventually be delivered.

For more information or to register email etc@opus.co.nz or call 0800 678 738.

National Diploma in Water Treatment (Technician) - Starting 20 March

National Diploma in Drinking Water Assessment - Starting 20 March

National Diploma in Wastewater Treatment - Starting 6 March

National Certificate in Water Treatment (Operator)

National Certificate in Wastewater Treatment

Preparing New Zealand for climate change

Preparing New Zealand's water stores for a warmer climate is a major focus of new research projects just awarded more than $2-million, as part of the Deep South National Science Challenge.

Land and Water Forum Update

Over the past 8 years the Land and Water Forum has produced 4 reports, with a further report currently in preparation. Earlier this year, the Minister for the Environment and Minister for Primary Industries committed to write to the Forum with a response to its recommendations to date. In doing this, they have outlined the Government's overall approach to fresh water, taking stock of the progress we have made and setting out what we are doing next.

View the full response here.

RNZ Insight: Fighting for NZ's rivers and lakes

Is enough being done to improve the quality of our rivers and lakes? RNZ's Insight programme looks at whether the standards being set and action taken so far is enough to improve long term water qualty.

Sewage leak caused by wet wipes being flushed down toilet turns Glen Innes' Omaru Creek black, kills fish and eels

A sewage leak, which Watercare says was caused by someone flushing wet wipes down the toilet, has left the water in an east Auckland creek black and filled with dead fish and eels.

Proposed Alternative Mechanisms to Award Works Contracts

FIDIC, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (headed up by Kiwi, Enrico Vink), is seeking feedback on proposals for alternative mechanisms to award works contracts. The attached document describes these proposals. We have been asked by the locally based Association of Consulting Engineers to distribute the proposals to our members and seek your feedback. If you have comments please send these to ceo@waternz.org.nz by 10 March.

Update on Metadata Standards

3 February 2017

Thank you for your continued interest and involvement in the development of Metadata Standards for the three waters network and residential and light commercial buildings. This is to provide you with an update on this work. As you may be aware, draft metadata standards were completed toward the end of 2016. We can now confirm funding has been secured to:

  • 1) Get the metadata standards to a position where they are ready for public release
  • This will involve a series of workshops to discuss, and incorporate, feedback received on the draft standards. More information, including how to register interest in attending these workshops is to follow.
  • Once the standards have been finalised, they will be made available to industry through a (simple and free) registration process to provide organisations with an opportunity to begin to use the standards within New Zealand.
  • 2) Complete the business case containing options for Central Government involvement in implementing the standards
  • This business case considers a range of options for implementation, with the option of piloting the metadata standards with a small group of asset owners and suppliers currently preferred. Piloting will enable us to test the approach to implementation in order to better understand what will be required for system-wide implementation. The exact form, funding and timing of the preferred implementation option is still to be determined and we will work with key industry stakeholders and potential pilot partners to progress this work over the coming months.

The aim is to complete the above tasks by the end of June 2017. It is our intention to continue with the collaborative process established in the development of the draft metadata standards and your continued involvement to support this work will be essential to success.

Progress and evolution indicate that the standards need to be a living document, and as such will require on going ownership and governance. Therefore, in addition to the above activities we will be working to identify a sustainable long term home for the standards, through consultation with industry stakeholders and various central agencies.

Project Management and Coordination resource for the next 5 months is currently being finalised, and you can expect communication (for example how to register interest in attending the workshops outlined above) and action to ramp up once these people are in place.

We will continue to keep you informed as this work progresses, once again many thanks for the way you have engaged with and supported this work.

Dave Hipkins Interim Programme Director – Asset Metadata Standards Location Information

E: dhipkins@linz.govt.nz | DDI +64 4 830 1599 | M 022 153 8150

Wellington Office, Level 7, Radio New Zealand House, 155 The Terrace
PO Box 5501, Wellington 6145, New Zealand | T 04 460 0110
W www.linz.govt.nz | www.landonline.govt.nz | data.linz.govt.nz

Water leakage continues to be significant issue for suppliers

Enough water to fill more than 40,000 Olympic size swimming pools was lost last year because of leakages through pipes and infrastructure by suppliers participating in Water New Zealand's National Performance Review. See more

Water inquiry focus on outbreak facts, adequacy of responses and contingency planning

The Havelock North Water Inquiry resumes today following an intensive first week of investigation to uncover the cause of the campylobacter outbreak in August last year.

Havelock North - more systematic approach on reporting transgressions needed

The first week of the Havelock North Water Inquiry wrapped up yesterday with a focus on the systems surround minimising risk to the safety of the water supply. 170217 More systematic approach on reporting transgressions suggested .pdf

Councils struggling with sea level risk

Government intervention and legislation is likely to be called for as local councils struggle to adapt to climate change consequences including rising sea levels. The role was given to them by government, which retained responsibility for mitigating the country's greenhouse gas emissions.

Defective bore may have allowed contaminated groundwater into water supply

Contaminated water may have entered the Havelock North water supply through a defective bore, scientists have found. 170202 Defective bore may have allowed contaminated groundwater into water supply.pdf

Troubled Havelock water bore to reopen

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's strained relationship with the Hastings District Council over a number of years was raised at the third day of the Havelock North water inquiry yesterday.

Relationship between HBRC and HDC strained, water contamination inquiry told

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's strained relationship with the Hastings District Council over a number of years was raised at the third day of the Havelock North water inquiry yesterday.

Gastro inquiry head says council ignored the law

The head of the inquiry panel investigating the Havelock North gastro outbreak has expressed disbelief at a council's continual ignoring of drinking water requirements.

Inquiry drills into Hastings council's water procedures

The spotlight was on the Hastings District Council's communications, processes and procedures around drinking water during the second day of the Government's inquiry into last August's campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North. 170201 Inquiry drills into Hastings council's water procedures.pdf

Debunking the anti-fluoride objections

Chemist and blogger Ken Perrott looks at the remaining objections to community fluoride to see if they stack up.

Gastro inquiry hears contamination may have come from nearby stream

The contamination of Havelock North water may have come from sheep faeces entering a stream near the town's bores, the Government Inquiry has heard.

Who is the greater polluter, cows or people? A dairy farmer's viewpoint

Recently while I was in a shop doing business, a very self-righteous lady loudly pronounced that I was one of those irresponsible farmers who allowed their cows to "pee and poo" everywhere resulting in our rivers all being polluted, writes Malcolm Lumsden.

2017 membership Subscriptions Increase

The new strategy aims to bring the sector together to collaborate on consistent technical practice and to “speak with one voice” on the future of the water sector.

Water New Zealand members have voted at the 2016 AGM for an increase in membership subscription rates to support the development and implementation of our new 5-year goal of a ‘self-determining’ future for the industry.

In order to do this, members at the 2016 AGM accepted the board’s proposed fee increases.

This is a departure from the board policy of recommending increasing subscription rates each year broadly in line with the annual rate of inflation.

As a result, the corporate subscription will increase by $450 in the 2017/18 year, with a further increase of $350 in the 2018/19 year. The number of “free” corporate additional memberships included will increase from one to three under the new billing regime. The corporate additional subscription will increase by $25 in the 2017/18 year, with no additional increase in the 2018/19 year.

There will be no increase to the Individual membership subscription in either of the next two financial years, and thereafter CPI increases will resume.

Member Categories Current fee (ex GST) New fee 17/18 (ex GST) New fee 18/19 (ex GST)
Corporate 690.00 1140.00 1490.00
Corporate Additional 135.00 160.00 160.00
Individual 170.00 170.00 170.00
Overseas Postage 60.00 60.00 60.00
Financial Students 90.00 90.00 90.00
Young Water Professional Students No Charge No Charge No Charge

Emergency declaration would have helped in gastro outbreak, report finds

Public alerts about the Havelock North gastro outbreak might have been more effective if a state of emergency had been declared, a review has found. 170126 Emergency declaration would have helped in gastro outbreak, report says.pdf

Why are our rivers and lakes becoming unsafe?

The state of our rivers and lakes has predictably come under intensified focus this summer as Kiwis head to their favourite swimming holes. What's the big picture - and how dire is the situation? Science reporter Jamie Morton talked to Otago University ecologist Dr Marc Schallenberg, president of the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society. See more .

Watercare's boss slams council over spills

Auckland Council is allowing developments to occur knowing there is no adequate stormwater system and this will result in more frequent harbour spills, says Watercare chief executive Raveen Jaduram. See more.

The critical place of water: Contractor Perspectives

The Kaikoura earthquake put the spotlight on the infrastructure around our precious water assets and the need to ensure we build resilience into communities. 170125 The critical place of water .pdf

Brian Rudman: Time for Aucklanders to stop fouling their own nest

Opinion: Aucklanders are a hypocritical bunch.

We pollute our precious inner harbour beaches to such an unhealthy state, we have to drive for hours seeking somewhere clean and green to relax.

But when we arrive, we discover the dairy cows got their first. The pristine lakes and streams of childhood memory are now just as bad as the Piha Lagoon or Cox's Bay. See more.

Understanding the real price of water

As soon as residents start realising how much water they use and the cost involved, watering the garden may become less important. Understanding the real costs of water.pdf

Forward momentum on water issues - LG Magazine

Water issues remained firmly top of mind last year with a new focus on collaboration, the creation of draft metadata standards for water assets, and the need to respond to the campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North. 170125 Forward momentum on water issues - LG printed.pdf

Gastro outbreak costs mount up for Hawke's Bay Regional Council

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has spent just more than $1 million on internal salary and external costs related to its Havelock North water contamination outbreak investigation and the ongoing government inquiry. See more.

Dirty water: Water bills may rise to stop sewage overflows

Water bills in the country's largest city may have to rise to stop raw sewage flowing into Auckland Harbour almost every time it rains. See more.

No choice over chlorine?

More than 100 Lake Hawea residents who attended a meeting at the weekend to express their opposition to chlorine being added to the town’s water supply permanently were told "it may happen anyway".

Queenstown Lakes District Council chief engineer Ulrich Glasner said the contamination of Havelock North’s water supply in August was "a trigger" for a lot of councils and district health boards to take steps to ensure drinking water was safe. See more.

Call for Expressions of Interest in becoming a member of the Water New Zealand Conference Technical Committee

The Water New Zealand Annual Conference and Expo occurs annually in Spring and an important component of the conference is the technical programme. The technical programme is assembled by a group of volunteers who form the Conference Technical Committee. The Conference Technical Committee assesses the abstracts submitted; mark the written papers, poster papers and presentations.

In response to a number of requests from people who would like to be on the Technical Committee, Water New Zealand has decided to call for expressions of interest from all members, including those “corresponding” technical committee members. We are seeking expressions of interest from individuals to sit on the Conference Technical Committee for a period of two years from March 2017. The committee needs to have a balance of expertise to be able to cover the breadth of topics which are likely to be covered by the technical programme.

The tasks performed by technical committee members are as follows:

  • Marking of Abstracts – Each person marks up to 20 abstracts against set criteria
  • Marking of Written Papers –Each person marks up to 10 papers against set criteria
  • Attending the conference and marking the presentations. Each person marks about 8 presentations against set criteria at conference
  • Attending the conference and marking the poster papers. Each person marks the posters and there are between 6 and 12 poster papers

We are looking for individuals with skills in the following areas:

  • Wastewater Treatment
  • Water Treatment
  • Asset Management Planning
  • Hydrogeology
  • Studies of the Natural Environment
  • Pipeline Design
  • Customer Support
  • Science
  • Network Planning
  • Consenting
  • Strategic Planning
  • Hydrology
  • Industry capability (training)
  • Data Management
  • Operations
  • River Engineering
  • Backflow
  • Water Efficiency
  • Small Water Systems
  • Stormwater
  • Trade Waste
  • Modelling
  • Trenchless Technology

If you are interested in participating as a volunteer technical committee member please complete the attached expression of interest, indicating for which skill / discipline(s) you wish to be considered and biographical details (100 words maximum) to ceo@waternz.org.nz by the 31 st January 2017. By expressing an interest you are confirming that you are able to commit to fulfilling the tasks required of technical committee members, including attending the annual conference.

We are also seeking nominations through Water NZ special interest groups in some of the skill / discipline areas.

Successful applicants will be notified of acceptance by the 15 th February 2017.

Wellington man's sewage pipe predicament provokes criticism of city council

Wellington City Council's policy of charging homeowners for repairs to private water pipes underneath public roads appears to be at odds with commonsense, Local Government New Zealand says.

President Lawrence Yule, who is also the Hastings District Mayor, acknowledged there were "inconsistencies" in how councils across the country approach the issue. See more

Microbead ban overdue

A water industry group says it is thrilled by the government's proposal to ban plastic microbeads in personal care products, but thinks the ban should be enforced immediately.

Microbeads

An extreme close-up of microbeads Photo: MPCA Photos

The beads, which are not biodegradable, are used in the manufacture of products such as facial scrubs and body washes.

They can cause long-term damage to aquatic animals, which mistake them for food.

A consultation document released yesterday is open until the end of February. The proposed ban would take effect from July next year.

Water New Zealand chief executive John Pfahlert said the move was overdue and should be brought into effect more quickly.

"I don't think there's any doubt about the evidence, this form of pollution's been going into our waterways and eventually ending up in the coastal environment."

Mr Pfahlert said it was an excellent move and his organisation would make a submission in favour of the ban, though he would prefer it to take immediate effect.

The non-profit group represents members of the water service industry, including waste and storm water services. RNZ

Consultation Paper on Managing Microbeads

MFE has released a consultation proposing a ban on the use of microbeads in personal care products in NZ, one which we will support due to the adverse environmental effects. Submissions close with MFE on 28 February. A copy of the consultation paper can be found here and a copy of the regulatory impact assessment can be found here. Water New Zealand will be preparing a submission, but if members have views they wish to share or see included in the draft submission please let John Pfahlert know by 2 February. ceo@waternz.org.nz

Consultation Paper on Review of AS/NZS Standards

Water New Zealand have been consulted on proposals for reviewing a range of building standards, many of which are plumbing and piping related. These are predominantly ones which MBIE plan to fund the review of from the building levy. They include one on onsite wastewater and the main plumbing standard.

The Standards programme document shows which Standards BSP will fund for development and when. It has been developed from a list of ‘priority’ Standards which was initially created in 2015 with some building industry representatives. That 2015 list has now been developed into the BSP Standards Programme which looks ahead at the review and development needs for Standards for the next 10 years. MBIE are currently consulting on the draft of that programme. Following which, they intend to publish it on their website and review it annually.

This email has a consultation document attached which gives a breakdown of the BSP Standards Programme; how it has developed from the 2015 list, criteria for Standards being on that programme and the programme objectives.

The feedback MBIE are looking for in this consultation is at a strategic level. They want feedback on:

  • the criteria we are using to select and prioritise the Standards that support the New Zealand Building Code;
  • the consequent sequencing of the priority Standards;
  • potential research or information barriers to development; and
  • co-funding opportunities.

Water New Zealand has an interest in Standards that specifically cover water reticulation and plumbing services and will make a submission on this consultation.

A response is due with MBIE by 24 February. A copy of the discussion paper can be accessed here.

To assist in submission preparation, members with views they wish to share or see included in the draft submission are to notify John Pfahlert by 2 February. Please complete the Consultation Questions and email your response to ceo@waternz.org.nz.

Water New Zealand requires your input

Do you feel like there is a subject that Water New Zealand doesn't provide enough coverage on? Then we would like to hear from you. Water New Zealand requests input from all of the industry to identify topics that you would like to see covered in commentary or articles throughout our publications.

Please contact CEO, John Pfahlert via email: ceo@waternz.org.nz or phone: 04 495 0896 to discuss your suggestions.

Too many damaging products being flushed

Water New Zealand says wastewater treatment plants around the country are under growing stress because of the huge number of products that are flushed away.

This includes not just products containing microbeads but also wipes which are often used for cosmetics and cleaning.

Chief executive John Pfahlert says many people are not aware of the huge problems that wipes cause to our sewers.

“Wipes clog the sewers causing overflow into rivers and the ocean, as well as creating a costly clean-up for ratepayers.

“Water New Zealand and others in the sector have been working with the industry to try to reduce the impact of wipes on the environment but it is still a major problem.

“We need to remember that everything we flush finds its way into a wastewater treatment plant and then to oceans, rivers or on to the land.”

John Pfahlert says he welcomes the government’s proposed ban on microbeads as a good step in the right direction.

“But we would like to see more done to prevent other products being incorrectly disposed of in sewers. “

New Zealand Wastewater Treatment Plant Inventory

The New Zealand Wastewater Treatment Plant Inventory has been updated based on data collected in the 2015/16 National Performance Review in 2017. It contains location data and details for 252 Waste-water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) across New Zealand. An interactive ArcGIS map can be found on our website on the ‘NZ WWTP Inventory’ page under ‘Policies & Projects’. The informative map can also be viewed through Google Earth through a .kml file found on the webpage. A combined data Excel file with more extensive detail is also available for download. Visit the Wastewater Treatment Plant Inventory webpage to access the downlaods.


Government heads towards ban on microbeads

Tiny and toxic microbeads look set to be all-but banished as New Zealand follows international leads in moving towards a ban.

Environment Minister Nick Smith made the announcement on Freyberg Beach in Wellington on Monday afternoon, though Green Party co-leader James Shaw pointed out New Zealand was a "slow follower", and most big markets were further down the road of banning the beads.

Where's the honesty on water?

Senior lecturer in environmental science/ecology at Massey University, Dr Mike Joy, looks at how changes in the formula around river monitoring along with a radical weakening of the limits for nitrogen is painting a falsely rosy picture of the state of our rivers. 170112 Ministry of Looking Good - Dr Mike Joy.pdf

Fluoridation: New scientific review of fluoride and oral health

A new review published in a special issue of Community Dental Health devoted to the WHO approach to the prevention of dental cavities through the use of fluoride. 170112 Fluoride and oral health.pdf

Update on National Policy Statement Urban on Urban Development Capacity 2016

Members

In July last year the Association made a submission on the proposed national policy statement on urban development. See here.

The NPS Urban Development Capacity came into effect on 1 December 2016. The attached link takes you to the document on our website.

While the NPS addressed a couple of the issues of concern to Water NZ, many others were not dealt with. In relation to some of the more key issues:

  • The NPS still does not provide guidance as to the form development capacity should take – intensification/expansion or both
  • The NPS still does not address some issues which will impact availability or take up of capacity (construction resourcing, attitudes to growth, fragmented consenting system)
  • Infrastructure has been split into development infrastructure (being the three waters and land transport) and “other infrastructure”, these terms have been defined, and local authorities have been given a requirement to ensure sufficient funding by including in their long term plans
  • A new policy was included to require decision makers to have regard to the efficient use of urban land – however there is no express requirement to consider the quality of the development outcomes on that land
  • While there is a policy encouraging collaboration and co-operation between local authorities who share jurisdiction over an urban area, there is no requirement for a broader (e.g. region wide approach)
  • The housing and land assessments remain with councils rather than the Ministry
  • The NPS has preceded any broader Resource Management Act reforms
  • It does not resolve or address the potential for conflict with other national policy statements and other legislative instruments

In terms of implementation and guidance the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment have been working together to support the implementation of the NPS. The implementation programme comprises the following work streams:

  • Monitoring market indicators
  • Housing and business development capacity assessments
  • Responsive planning
  • Consenting processes
  • Future development strategies
  • Monitoring and evaluation (i.e. monitoring the implementation of the NPS-UDC and evaluation of the effectiveness of the NPS-UDC)
  • Communications and engagement.

Further information on the work streams and advisory groups is expected on the MfE website at the end of January. Guidance on the various work streams are expected to be available later this year (between May and September 2017).

For further information on the current state of play refer: http://www.rmla.org.nz/2016/12/23/implementation-update-national-policy-statement-on-urban-development-capacity-nps-udc/

Many thanks to Vicki Morrison-Shaw and Helen Atkins for drafting the Association submission.

The critical place of water: Contractor Perspectives

The Kaikoura earthquake put the spotlight on the infrastructure around our precious water asset and the need to ensure we build resilience into communities. Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert looks how we can ensure more robust drinking, stormwater and wastewater systems .

Forward momentum: Local Government Perspectives

Water issues remained firmly top of mind last year with a new focus on collaboration, the creation of draft metadata standards for water assets, and the need to respond to the campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North.

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert looks at the key issues.

Dairy NZ to appeal ruling over Greenpeace ad

DairyNZ says it will appeal the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling that Greenpeace's "dirty dairying" advert did not breach advertising principles.

Press editorial: Can we put a price on water?

OPINION: If the reaction to the plan to export bottled water from an Ashburton aquifer is any guide, Kiwis are likely to be outraged at the proposal to export up to 800 million litres a month of pristine South Westland water. Why we get upset over this giveaway of what we see as a free public asset and not others is more puzzling. See editorial.