Happy New Year! We hope you had a relaxing enjoyable break. 2023 is underway and already we’re just a week or two from our Stormwater Conference and Modelling Symposium abstract deadlines – so don’t delay.
The Government’s legislation programme is also marching on and we urge you to read the reform bills and make sure you have your say. Plus there’s loads of events coming up – so take a look further down.
Water New Zealand is drafting submissions for both bills. If you would like input into them, please contact nicci.wood@waternz.org.nz
On 8 February, we will hold members-only webinars on both bills to provide an overview of the bills and an overview of our submission. Register for the webinars Water Services Legislation and Economic Efficiency.
Deadline for abstracts coming up
It's time to get in your abstracts for the Stormwater Conference & Expo 2023.
We’re inviting water professionals and anyone with an interest in stormwater, to submit an abstract proposal from policy to implementation, including western science/knowledge and mātauranga Māori.
We'll soon calling for Stormwater poster entries. Perhaps you're not quite ready for presenting a paper but want to share an idea, or are seeking feedback on a new approach to stormwater work. Displaying and presenting a poster at the conference is a great opportunity to share your project, knowledge or expertise in a subject. So start planning your poster and keep an eye on future newsletters and our website for more details.
Time to get your Modelling abstracts to us
Don't miss out! Abstracts for the Modelling Symposium close at 5pm on Tuesday, 31 January.
We are calling for abstracts on a number of themes as well as a 'wildcard' entry, so take a look at the options available.
The Government intends to repeal the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) through three bills. Two bills are now at the select committee stage; the Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill.
Our members are directly affected by the proposed resource management reforms as most of the activities undertaken by water service providers require planning and policy and generally need to obtain resource consents and will be impacted by spatial planning.
Water New Zealand welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission on the bills. We generally support the objectives of the review of the resource management regime. We want to see a system that is efficient, simple, cost-effective and gives effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Our one submission covers both bills and can be read by members here. Closing date for submissions on both bills is 5 February.
If you are a member and have any feedback on the submission please contact nicci.wood@waternz.org.nz before Sunday 29 January.
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill
The Government is calling for submissions on the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill. This bill would make changes to the natural hazard information provided in land information memoranda (LIMs), including inundation (flooding, overland flow, storm surge, tidal effects and ponding).
Water New Zealand generally supports the changes and members can read our draft submission here.
If you have any feedback on the submission please contact nicci.wood@waternz.org.nz before Sunday 29th January.
PFAS National Environmental Management Plan consultation
The PFAS National fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) National Environmental Management Plan (PFAS NEMP) provides guidance and standards on the investigation, assessment, and management of PFAS in water, wastewater, biosolids and compost, waste material and the environment.
Water New Zealand is drafting a submission which will be available to members for comment shortly. If you would like to have input on the submission please contact – gavin.sole@tiakienvironmental.co.nz
Taumata Arowai Māori Advisory Group
Taumata Arowai is seeking nominations for Te Puna, the Māori Advisory Group. The group will advise Taumata Arowai on Māori interests and knowledge.
The advisory group will develop and maintain a framework to guide Taumata Arowai on how to interpret and give effect to Te Mana o te Wai and will also advise Taumata Arowai on how to enable mātauranga and tikanga Māori through its work.
Nominations, including a completed nomination form and curriculum vitae, should be emailed to ta.appointments@dia.govt.nz by 5 pm on 31 January.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, most of our biosolids are treated as waste and sent to landfills. But take a look at this video by Lutra which discusses a new technological approach to managing biosolids, turning waste into a valuable resource and at the same time reducing PFAs, microplastics and reducing carbon emissions.
Registrations for University of Canterbury's Career Fairs and Expos are now open.
During the academic year, University of Canterbury host a series of career fairs that include the Business and Arts Careers Fair, Law Recruitment Evening, STEM Careers Fair and Volunteering Expo.
The STEM expo is held in May and booking are open for stands for organisations that would like to promote graduate career opportunities.
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.
12 Days of Christmas - Newsroom's Three Waters questions
Holiday season water questions. During the "12 Days of Christmas", Newsroom published a series of key questions and answers about water reform. If you didn't read them over the holiday break - you can link to them here.
From seawater to drinking water with the push of a button
MIT researchers have developed a portable desalination unit, weighing less than 10 kilograms, that can remove particles and salts to generate drinking water.
US releases plans to scale up nature-based solutions
A pair of reports recently released by the White House detail a comprehensive strategy to scale up the use of nature-based solutions — protecting or restoring natural landscapes and building green infrastructure — to better address such issues as climate change, habitat loss, and environmental inequity.
Water pipe robots could stop billions of litres leaking
Engineers in the UK have developed miniature robots to patrol the pipe network, check for faults and prevent leaks. It's estimate this could save around three billion litres of water lost through water pipes in England and Wales.
The biennial Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership's National Biosolids Conference is returning to Sydney in 2023, with the theme Champions for Sustainability. Held over two days, this conference will examine key developments in the industry with a focus on the role of industry, regulators and community as champions for sustainable biosolids management and end-use.
We have confirmed the date and venue for the Backflow Conference 2023. It will be at the Parnell Hotel and Conference Centre on 1-2 August. We'll bring more details soon.
Strategic Overview of Rivers and Catchments: Geomorphology and River Management
14 - 15 February | 9 am - 5 pm
Wellington
This programme aim to identify a framework to raise awareness, learning and development pathways and ultimately drive recruitment and attraction strategies to assure river management expertise for the future.
This programme has been designed to identify a framework to raise awareness, learning and development pathways and ultimately drive recruitment and attraction strategies to assure river management expertise for the future.
Dam Safety Regulations that have been introduced to provide a minimum, consistent and effective risk-based regulatory framework for post-construction dam safety. By attending this webinar water service providers can learn whether they are managing assets that are classifiable dams covered by the regulations and can familiarise themselves with relevant compliance requirements.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Water Treatment expert to lead the team responsible for the operation of our districts drinking water and treatment processes.
This role involves the operation and maintenance of Council’s water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants and pump stations throughout the district.
This role involves supporting strategic planning and leading optioneering for our big challenges that will ensure Dunedin is self-sufficient into the future.
Nelmac Kūmānu has a great opportunity for you to secure and grow your career in the New Zealand water industry. For the right candidate this position has the potential to lead to further succession within the Treatment Team in a leadership role.
The purpose of this role is to lead a team of Land Development Engineers in processing Resource Management Act and Building Act consenting matters related to Three Waters infrastructure.
We are looking for someone to take a guiding role on multiple, large scale and complex network projects, supporting the team to carry them out and lending their technical expertise to complex issues, ensuring strategic outcomes are delivered.
The purpose of the Senior Advisor Service Delivery (NMG) position is to establish and lead an operational improvement programme for the treatment plants that are managed in house.
In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for leading a range of regulatory compliance activities including the monitoring and undertaking of audits and investigations of drinking water suppliers.
