June 29, 2021
Four new national entities from Three Waters reform
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says establishing four publicly-owned entities to take responsibility of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure across New Zealand will save ratepayers thousands of dollars.
She says New Zealand needs to invest between $120 billion and $185 billion to maintain safe, sustainable and environmentally appropriate drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure over the next 30 years, costs that most local councils simply can’t shoulder on their own.
Without the changes the average household bill for water services could be as high as $1900 to $9000 by 2051, which would be unaffordable for many communities.
Minister Mahuta released the proposal this morning, along with information showing how the reforms will affect each council and the projected costs for their communities with and without three waters reform.
She says at present, 67 councils provide most of the country’s three waters services, a system that is in too many cases ineffective, inefficient, and not fit for purpose.
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