For far too long many councils have been kicking the can down the road with respect to their three waters infrastructure: Drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
After the disaster at Havelock North, something had to change. The results of the enquiries and consultation are in, with the government announcing a new regulatory authority that has some teeth to monitor and prosecute.
A dedicated water regulator and new water regulations from mid-2020 will ensure safe drinking water around the country and prevent sewage ending up on beaches, in rivers and in lakes, the Government says.
Ministers announced major changes tonight to clean up drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems as part of its response to the contamination of Havelock North’s drinking water in 2016 that saw 5000 people get sick.
“Access to safe, clean drinking water is a birthright for New Zealanders and a key concern for communities up and down the country,” Health Minister David Clark said in a statement.
“Wherever they live, consumers and communities expect to be able to turn on the tap and drink the water without fear of getting ill.”
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Key features of the announcement include
• A dedicated water regulator
• A new Water Services bill
• Extending regulatory coverage to all water suppliers, except individual household self-suppliers
• Strengthened government stewardship of wastewater and stormwater services, with Regional councils remaining primary regulators for the environment
• Transitional arrangements of up to five years to allow water suppliers to adjust to the regulations
This generally is a good thing and would probably have happened no matter what colour party was in power. We are fortunate that the CoL were not minded to amalgamate local authorities to achieve any of this.
Where it gets interesting is, “Who pays?”
Several local authorities have been unwilling to upgrade their infrastructure, as that would require a rates increase and the councillors might not get re-elected. Others have realised that pipes degrade in the ground and need replacing; water treatment plants are no longer fit for purpose and need upgrading; 19th century sewage/stormwater arrangments are not acceptable with sewage flowing on to beaches; and so forth.
These councils took the hard decisions, put up their rates and upgraded their infrastructure. The delinquent ones simply borrowed to the limit and built monuments to themselves above ground.
Now the councils are going to be forced by the government into cleaning up their act, but they have no capacity to borrow to do so. They are going to bleat to central government for a handout.
Why should the ratepayers in responsible council areas pay extra tax to help the ratepayers with irresponsible councils?
The readers know which councils have not been looking after their three waters properly. If you are rated by one of them, look forward to some hefty rates rises.