Council will soon be consulting the community about how it will deliver three waters services in the future - here's why:

Safe drinking water is crucial for everyone so when 5500 people in Havelock North became ill in 2016 after drinking contaminated water, council community water supplies all over the country – including Ashburton District – came under the spotlight.

Water reforms started by the Labour Government have been reshaped by the National Government, and the end result is higher national standards for drinking water, and higher standards coming for the treatment of wastewater and stormwater.

What does this mean? Ashburton District Council has to develop a Water Services Delivery Plan by this September – outlining the current state of our water services infrastructure, future investment needs, and how we will fund and operate our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems to meet the stringent new regulations.

The Water Services Delivery Plan has to satisfy some specific criteria set out in the Water Services Bill, and other Acts, and also has to be approved by Government.

Maintaining and improving our three waters services to meet the new regulation costs a lot of money – in 2024-25, about 30 per cent of all council expenditure was on three waters activities – these costs are expected to rise in the future.

In the next 10 years, some $133 million has been allocated to run daily water services and another $136 million allocated to improve water services infrastructure (like upgrades and pipe renewals).

The average Ashburton township ratepayer currently pays $706 for drinking water (a targeted rate), $604 for wastewater (a targeted rate) and $144 for stormwater (part of an urban amenity rate, based on the capital value of your property).

Council has had several workshops on the model best suited to our district and will talk to the community about two options - a stand alone business unit within council, and a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (like Ashburton Contracting Ltd, but for water services).

When Council last surveyed residents about water reform in 2021, 97 per cent of respondents said it was important for the community to be able to have its say on how water services were provided. This is why Council has focused on water service delivery models which retain strong Council control and provide residents with the most ability to have input on how those water services will operate.

This is a big change and Council needs to talk to the community about it and hear its feedback. It’s planned that from 27 March, all residents will receive information packs in their letterboxes about what is proposed and inviting feedback.

Council has had two meetings planned to discuss the future of our water services with the community and this is a chance to hear from your elected representatives and ask questions.

The public meetings will be held at:

• Methven
  Tuesday 8 April, 6pm, Mt Hutt Memorial Hall Theatrette
• Ashburton
  Wednesday 9 April, 6pm, Te Whare Whakatere Event Space
  This meeting will also be livestreamed on our Facebook page and YouTube channel