Horowhenua District Council has today unanimously adopted a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) setting out how water services will be delivered in the future.

The plan is the first product of the partnership between Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council and Rangitīkei District Council, which was formed to comply with the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.

It outlines how the three councils will work together to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services in a way that meets regulatory standards, supports growth, and is financially sustainable.

Providing water services is expensive and accounted for more than 85% of the rates increase this year. Teaming up with the other councils in a Joint Water Services Organisation is estimated to save the average Horowhenua household between $195 and $300 per year by 2027/28 through economies of scale and greater efficiency.

One of the key principles of the plan is that water revenues, for example from rates, will be spent on water services and not diverted into other council spending.

‘Adopting this plan is an important step towards delivering safer, better, cheaper water services,’ says Chief Executive Monique Davidson.

‘There is no doubt that the three councils can do this better together. But it’s important to note that we will retain a strong local voice and decision-making power in the new water services organisation.’

While Horowhenua District Council has voted to adopt the water services delivery plan it still needs to be approved by the other two councils. Palmerston North City Council will put it to the vote on 13 August and by Rangitīkei District Council the following day.

The plan will then be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs for approval.

Council also passed a resolution noting that Ruapehu District Council and Whanganui District Council could potentially be willing to join the Joint Water Services Organisation.

However Monique Davidson emphasised that onus would be on the two councils to align with the existing three members of the JWSO.

The joint water services organisation will be fully operational by 1 July 2027. Until then the member councils will continue to deliver water services individually.

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