Local Water Done Well
Central Government is transforming the way drinking water, wastewater and stormwater (the three waters) are delivered in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This is to give New Zealanders confidence that drinking water is safe to use, sources of drinking water are adequately protected, and wastewater and stormwater are managed in environmentally sustainable ways.
What is Local Water Done Well?
Local Water Done Well is the Coalition Government’s plan to address Aotearoa New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges. It replaces the previous government's Three Waters Reform programme but seeks to achieve similar water outcomes.
Key components of Local Water Done Well:
- fit-for-purpose service delivery models and financing tools
- ensuring water services are financially sustainable
- introducing greater central government oversight, economic and quality regulation.
Local Water Done Well is being implemented in three stages, each with its own piece of legislation.
- Repeal of previous water services legislation.
- Establish framework and preliminary arrangements for the new water services system.
- Establish enduring settings.
Development of Water Services Delivery Plans
As part of this process, councils are required to develop comprehensive water service delivery plans that meet regulatory and investment requirements by September 2025. This will fundamentally change how critical water services are delivered within our districts.
Horowhenua District Council is actively working on a water service delivery plan in response to the Local Water Done Well policy. This plan will outline proposed models for delivering water services and whether we will work independently or collaboratively with other councils.
The water services delivery plan must include a description of the proposed model or arrangements to deliver water services, including whether this will be achieved alone, or by working with other councils.
A regional approach
At a meeting on 27 November 2024 Council voted to put forward three options for public consultation regarding the future of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services.
Council considered several options, including continuing to manage water services in-house and collaborating with neighbouring councils for a more sustainable solution.
Council has decided to exit participation in both the Wellington Region and the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Joint Water Services Delivery Plans.
Instead, the following options will be put forward for public consultation in early 2025:
- Maintaining the current delivery model, operated by Council (status quo)
- A Joint Council Water Services Arrangement between Horowhenua District Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council (Council’s preferred option)
- A Multi-Council Joint Water Services Arrangement including Horowhenua District Council, Manawatū District Council, Palmerston North City Council, and Kāpiti Coast District Council.
The decision came after a period of internal review, regional collaboration, and a light-touch community consultation to gather feedback on key priorities such as clean drinking water, effective stormwater management, and affordable service provision.
Visit https://horowhenua.infocouncil.biz/Open/2024/11/CO_27112024_AGN_AT.PDF for the full Council Report.
Submission
Submission - Local Government Water Services Preliminary Arrangements Bill - Horowhenua District Council - 13 June 2024(PDF, 840KB)