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