Angie Warren-Clark Labour MP

Under the current status quo, Aotearoa's networks of drinking water, wastewater and storm water are facing a crisis.

Contaminated water causes some 100,000 sporadic illnesses every year. Rural communities may face the biggest challenges, but even 20 per cent of town-supplied water fails to meet safe levels. All New Zealanders deserve safe, reliable and affordable water services.

Analysis, using data provided by New Zealand councils, has identified an investment of between $120-$185 billion is needed over the next 30 years to ensure New Zealand's water infrastructure is fit for purpose.

Councils, who manage these services on behalf of their communities, will not be able to meet these projected costs by themselves without raising rates or water charges to unaffordable levels - something none of us want!

The government's Three Waters Reform Programme proposes to create four dedicated and publicly-owned entities that have the scale, expertise, operational efficiencies and financial flexibility to provide safe, affordable water services for New Zealanders.

Under this reform, councils will collectively own the Water Service Entities on behalf of their communities. It will be more difficult to privatise water assets and services than it is now.

Iwi/Māori will have an active say in holding the entities to account, as we move away from ownership interests. All communities in New Zealand will receive better quality water services and all will pay less than they would without reform.

This is another essential and exciting legislative initiative from this government!

Safe drinking water is one essential component to keeping New Zealanders safe and healthy. The vaccine rollout is another. Book yours at: www.bookmyvaccine.co.nz or call: 0800 282 926.

Keep updated on Covid locations of interests at: www.covid19.govt.nz and follow the advice. We've stamped out Covid before, and we can do it again.