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NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Mayor's water services affordability plea rejected by Ruapehu District Council
Ruapehu was among the most economically disadvantaged districts in New Zealand, with many households 'already stretched to breaking point by the cost-of-living crisis'. 'All of this term we've acknowledged this reality, especially for Māori communities. Yet today, some are still prepared to back the most expensive option on the table, a position I cannot understand.' Kirton said the two-council model would almost double the Department of Internal Affairs' (DIA) affordability benchmark that water costs should not exceed 2.5% of median household income. He also cited new information since the original July 9 decision, including a requirement from the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai to bring forward costly wastewater treatment upgrades previously delayed for affordability reasons. The Whanganui council had rejected price harmonisation, which would have shared costs evenly across both councils. 'There is nothing in the two-council arrangement for Ruapehu except ability to increase our debt headroom to borrow more for upgrades our people cannot afford.' In the public forum, Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust spokesman Kuru Ketu said the council's role was to make decisions about water services and infrastructure, not water itself. Making a decision on the basis of 'keeping the catchment together' was 'statutory overreach'. 'The relationship and union of the catchment is whakapapa-based and now protected and provided for by Te Awa Tupua legislation. The catchment will remain together regardless of Local Water Done Well arrangements.' Ketu said 70% of Māori in northern Taumarunui ranked among the most deprived in the country. If people could not pay their bills, the council controlled organisation (CCO) could not function. The trust backed a larger multi-council entity for its greater borrowing capacity, cheaper debt and stronger buying power. Deana Wilson, representing Ngāti Rangi, supported the two-council decision, highlighting iwi connection to waterways and the link between water health and community wellbeing. She said collaboration was key to finding solutions to the region's wastewater treatment challenges. Ratepayer Marama Laurensen urged councillors to focus on practical realities such as cost and community impact rather than personal or emotive views about the river. 'I don't expect councillors to be carrying that particular responsibility. People elect you to deliver service to the community, not to use this table as a platform for your point of view or your feelings.' Laurensen said affordability was critical in a deprived community. Without it, 'you don't have the luxury of having wellbeing', she said. Kirton said the decision came down to a moral and financial duty. 'Do we protect our people from costs they can't afford, or do we lock them into a model that will take money they simply don't have?' Councillors Brenda Ralph and Janelle Hinch backed Kirton's position. Ralph warned higher charges would hit tenants, homeowners and businesses alike, forcing some residents to move away. Hinch said expert advice showed larger multi-council models were the most cost-effective, and warned the two-council option could be unviable for Ruapehu and risk being overturned. River protections were enshrined in legislation, and whakapapa to the rivers would not be severed, she said. Continuing with the two-council model would cause unnecessary hardship. Councillor Robyn Gram originally voted to join a larger model but on Wednesday withdrew her support. Deputy Mayor Viv Hoeta stood by her original vote for the two-council CCO. She said she valued the democratic decision already made and the partnership agreed to by both councils. The case for affordability was based on assumptions rather than facts, she said. Councillor Lyn Neeson said she struggled to see how $1000 extra would be imposed on ratepayers. 'I'm deeply concerned that the conversation over the past fortnight has put serious fear into our ratepayers that it is going to be unaffordable to live in Ruapehu.' Neeson said all councils' water rates would rise. 'The water improvements have to be made. They were unaffordable, that's the reason they weren't made. Now we have to make them.' A higher borrowing cap, cheaper debt and more buying power were not exclusive to the larger multi-council model, she said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
'Embarrassing': Clutha's water breaches more than rest of NZ
A small Otago council has recorded more drinking water quality breaches than the rest of New Zealand combined, a damning report has revealed. The Water Services Authority report, publicly released yesterday, said it received 565 notifications in 2024 that drinking water was, or might be, unsafe. Clutha District Council was responsible for 338, or 59.8%, of the country's drinking water quality breaches. Mayor Bryan Cadogan said yesterday he could not ignore the report's findings. "They're embarrassing." The supply with the most E. coli notifications was Waitahuna Rural (24), which is owned by Clutha District Council and is on a permanent boil-water notice. In March 2023, the authority issued a direction to Clutha in response to aluminium levels breaching standards across five of the council's supplies. In January 2025, the council met the remaining requirements of the compliance order. Mr Cadogan said the council accepted responsibility for the "damning indictment", but it had been the after-effects of issues that had been ignored for decades. "So, in the 1970s, Clutha developed the most extensive water scheme in New Zealand for our size. We're the third-longest in New Zealand. It is Auckland, Christchurch, then Clutha. "So, what we've done is we've set up a council-run extensive water system supplying to virtually all our rural and all our towns. No-one else does it. "But the problem with that for us is that when you have council-run schemes, you have consent and you have to abide." The water supply was built for 1.2 million stock units across all the towns. "Unfortunately, that's a real problem now that system is no longer compliant with the New Zealand Water Standards. "The scheme was not only working 100% the way it was meant to, it's producing better water now than it has in all its lifetimes. "But unfortunately, it's like trying to turn a car into an aeroplane." It was only relatively recently the council started addressing the problems, Mr Cadogan said. "That's why our debt [has increased], because our council had no debt only five years ago. "We've got 150-odd-million dollars of debt and all the water plants that we've upgraded are about to be commissioned." Back in the 1970s, the government funded 50% of Clutha's new drinking water system, and struck similar deals with other councils, he said. In contrast, Clutha had needed to pay for all of the upgrades this time, Mr Cadogan said. "And that's why I am horrified at the rate rises that are coming through." "We're stuck with this dichotomy of having the third-longest water recirculation network in New Zealand behind Auckland and Christchurch ... and a population of 19,000." Water Authority head of operations Steve Taylor said it had been working with Clutha District Council to make improvements. "From the outset, Clutha District Council was open to engaging with the authority, sharing information, being honest about their challenges and responding to the directives issued by the authority. "It should also be noted that this report is for the year to December 2024 and considerable work has been completed by the council in the past six months. "We will continue to work closely with Clutha District Council as it addresses issues across its supplies." Clutha District had 13 distinct communities, all with water and sewage, Mr Cadogan said. "Within those 13 communities, there's 27 either water or sewage plants. "If you've got 30-year consent, that means you're doing up at least 27 plants over 30 years. You're basically doing up one a year." Each of those upgrades were in the vicinity of $5m to $20m, he said. Although the authority's report was tough reading, it noted there had been some improvement on last year — Clutha had 98 fewer breaches in 2024. "You just keep on going. It is never-ending. "So, the environmental expectations and the financial capacity and ability for communities like Clutha is really going to test people's ability to pay like never before."
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Clutha had more water breaches than all NZ — Report ‘embarrassing': mayor
ODT GRAPHIC A small Otago council has recorded more drinking water quality breaches than the rest of New Zealand combined, a damning report has revealed. The Water Services Authority report, publicly released yesterday, said it received 565 notifications in 2024 that drinking water was, or might be, unsafe. Clutha District Council was responsible for 338, or 59.8%, of the country's drinking water quality breaches. Mayor Bryan Cadogan said yesterday he could not ignore the report's findings. "They're embarrassing." The supply with the most E. coli notifications was Waitahuna Rural (24), which is owned by Clutha District Council and is on a permanent boil-water notice. In March 2023, the authority issued a direction to Clutha in response to aluminium levels breaching standards across five of the council's supplies. In January 2025, the council met the remaining requirements of the compliance order. Bryan Cadogan. PHOTO: ODT FILES Mr Cadogan said the council accepted responsibility for the "damning indictment", but it had been the after-effects of issues that had been ignored for decades. "So, in the 1970s, Clutha developed the most extensive water scheme in New Zealand for our size. We're the third-longest in New Zealand. It is Auckland, Christchurch, then Clutha. "So, what we've done is we've set up a council-run extensive water system supplying to virtually all our rural and all our towns. No-one else does it. "But the problem with that for us is that when you have council-run schemes, you have consent and you have to abide." The water supply was built for 1.2 million stock units across all the towns. "Unfortunately, that's a real problem now that system is no longer compliant with the New Zealand Water Standards. "The scheme was not only working 100% the way it was meant to, it's producing better water now than it has in all its lifetimes. "But unfortunately, it's like trying to turn a car into an aeroplane." It was only relatively recently the council started addressing the problems, Mr Cadogan said. "That's why our debt [has increased], because our council had no debt only five years ago. "We've got 150-odd-million dollars of debt and all the water plants that we've upgraded are about to be commissioned." Back in the 1970s, the government funded 50% of Clutha's new drinking water system, and struck similar deals with other councils, he said. In contrast, Clutha had needed to pay for all of the upgrades this time, Mr Cadogan said. "And that's why I am horrified at the rate rises that are coming through." "We're stuck with this dichotomy of having the third-longest water recirculation network in New Zealand behind Auckland and Christchurch ... and a population of 19,000." Water Authority head of operations Steve Taylor said it had been working with Clutha District Council to make improvements. "From the outset, Clutha District Council was open to engaging with the authority, sharing information, being honest about their challenges and responding to the directives issued by the authority. "It should also be noted that this report is for the year to December 2024 and considerable work has been completed by the council in the past six months. "We will continue to work closely with Clutha District Council as it addresses issues across its supplies." Clutha District had 13 distinct communities, all with water and sewage, Mr Cadogan said. "Within those 13 communities, there's 27 either water or sewage plants. "If you've got 30-year consent, that means you're doing up at least 27 plants over 30 years. You're basically doing up one a year." Each of those upgrades were in the vicinity of $5m to $20m, he said. Although the authority's report was tough reading, it noted there had been some improvement on last year — Clutha had 98 fewer breaches in 2024. "You just keep on going. It is never-ending. "So, the environmental expectations and the financial capacity and ability for communities like Clutha is really going to test people's ability to pay like never before."
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Report Reveals Water Unsafe To Drink At Many Schools
Water New Zealand says that children, their teachers and school support staff must be able to drink school supplied water without the risk of serious illness. Chief executive Gillian Blythe says it's clear that many rural schools have not had the training and support to manage their water supplies. She says this has been an ongoing issue that is now recognised by the Ministry of Education and is in the process of being addressed. A report just released by the Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai, has revealed that out of 418 schools that supply their own drinking water, 71 schools were found to have had in their water supply and 24 schools were found to have had repeated recurrences. The water regulator's latest annual drinking water quality report provides information on publicly supplied water from 1 January to 31 December 2024. More than half of self supplying schools don't have an identified plan to meet compliance requirements. Gillian Blythe says the Ministry of Education has recognised the need to upskill principals and school boards and has taken steps to ensure training is available. 'The Ministry has been working with us to ensure that staff and trustees understand their obligations and have the skills required to provide safe drinking water. 'As a result, principals and trustees are now being encouraged to upskill through Water New Zealand training material such as digital badges, particularly aimed at rural schools.' Schools are often used as community hubs or evacuation centres in emergencies. 'Ensuring schools are well equipped to supply safe water is crucial to minimise public health risk during an emergency.' For more information contact communications manager, Debra Harrington tel 027 202 8857.
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Risk of contamination in rural school water extremely high, report says
The report says the notifications concerned 71 schools, down from 81 in 2023. Photo: RNZ The Water Services Authority says the risk of contamination in many school water supplies is extremely high. It said it was particularly worried about the presence of E. coli in some schools' drinking water. The authority's Drinking Water Regulation Report for 2024 said 71 schools reported at least one instance of faecal contamination of their drinking water last year. It said that put children at increased risk and school water supplies were a priority area for the authority. "The Authority has made our expectations clear to the Ministry of Education (MOE) to take action to address underlying causes and ensure safer drinking water is provided to children at these schools. We have seen some improvements, but this is a continuing priority area for the Authority," it said. The report said the Education Ministry was responsible for 418 schools that supplied their own drinking water, most were in the North Island and were in rural or remote locations. "The risk to drinking water quality at many self-supplied schools is extremely high, demonstrated by high incidences of water contamination. In 2024, 59 percent of laboratory notifications of E. coli were about self-supplied schools," it said. The report said the notifications concerned 71 schools, down from 81 in 2023. It said 24 schools "had repeat exceedances of E. coli indicating that issues are not being resolved in a way that prevents recurrence." In addition, testing of 145 schools with roof water sources found two had "exceedances" for lead, and one for copper, and one self-supplied school twice exceeded nitrate levels. The report said schools and the ministry needed to do more. "Although most self-supplied schools have bacterial treatment barriers in place, the high numbers of E. coli detections indicate that many of these barriers are likely not being operated or maintained effectively," the report said. It said the ministry had been progressing work to install treatment barriers in 17 self-supplied schools. The report said at one school a UV treatment unit had been accidentally turned off. "At the end of 2024, eight of the schools have now met treatment barrier requirements, and eight of the remaining nine have plans for installation or an alternative solution by December 2025," it said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
