Water New Zealand Supports Councils’ Collaboration on Water Resilience

Water New Zealand supports the Wellington Water Committee’s move to taking a collaborative and regional approach to the challenge of getting Wellington’s water network up and running after a major incident announced today (Friday August 28, 2015).

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfarhlert says that since the Christchurch earthquake more people understand that ‘resilience matters’ – but not all.

“Building a resilient three waters delivery service begins with having a clear understanding of what service is to be delivered. The first step in the process is defining levels of service that are clearly communicated, understood and valued by the community that the system serves. It is upon this understanding that the service expectations, costs, risks and compromises can be agreed with a community.

“Moving to ‘a resilient and coordinated’ infrastructure scenario will present challenges but is a laudable goal,” he said.

Water NZ is working with University of Canterbury Quake Centre to identify and prepare guidelines on defining levels of service which communities can expect to see delivered post quakes.

Contact John Pfahlert, CEO, Water New Zealand
P: 021 150 9763
E: ceo@waternz.org.nz

Water New Zealand is an independent not for profit association of approximately 1500 water professionals and organisations, focusing on the sustainable management and development of the water environment. It provides leadership in the water sector, through advocacy, provision of technical advice and professional development. It is the principal voice for the water sector. Its nationwide network of members represent many disciplines; physical and social sciences, public health, engineering, law and management. Water New Zealand attracts decision makers and technologists from central and local government, industry, the academic and research communities, consultants and service/equipment supply organisations, who exchange information about water and wastes issues.