Havelock North Shows Need for Urgent Review of Water Utility Provision

16 AUGUST 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The hospitalisation of 20 and the possible death of a resident in Havelock North from Campylobacter infection, combined with previous recent failings of local government in the provision of water utility services, shows it is time for the Government to review the provision of water in New Zealand says the Taxpayers' Union.

Examples of recent water management failings include:

• In 2012 Selwyn District Council officials apologised after contaminated drinking water left more than 125 Darfield residents struck down by Campylobacter infection. At the time Canterbury District Health Board medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey said the council needed to ''wake up to its responsibility'' and address its recurring water issues.

• Alleged conflicts of interest, costs over-runs and illegalities relating to the Mangawhai sewerage project resulted in a damning Auditor General enquiry, labelling it a ‘woeful saga’ in 2013. The Kaipara District Council (Validation of Rates and other Matters) Bill was passed by Parliament to validate the Council’s actions and commissioners were appointed to take over from elected officials.

• A new Whanganui waste water plant failed within five years of opening in 2007 and has resulted in the need for a new $39 million plant to replace it.
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Taxpayers' Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says, "Repeated failings in water and wastewater provision point to a structural failure in having 67 local councils managing water utilities. The success of the Watercare model in Auckland and overseas experience of better quality services being provided more efficiently when politicians and local bodies are removed shows that it is time for the Government to act. As an example, Scotland, with 5.4 million people, has a single water utility provider.”

“Water services are the classic utility. Electricity utility provision was taken away from local councils decades ago. No one would suggest we go back. It is time to ask whether we would be safer taking the politics out of water, and enabling better economies of scale and expert organisations take over.”

"We are a first world country. No person in New Zealand should die because they drank water out of a tap and local councils are failing to do their job in keeping people safe. It is time for an inquiry into whether independent provision of water services would result in better provision, safer drinking water, and the avoidance of Havelock North incidents happening ever again."

ENDS

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