A landmark decision by Hamilton City Council has unanimously approved a formal transfer agreement of the city’s water and wastewater assets to a dedicated waters organisation. The new organisation, IAWAI – Flowing Waters Ltd, will deliver significant savings for ratepayers.

IAWAI is a council-controlled organisation (CCO) owned jointly by Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council. It was established by the two councils almost a year ago to deliver water services more efficiently and respond to Government’s Local Water Done Well policies.

The terms of the transfer agreement were accepted by IAWAI in February, and the agreement was approved by Waikato District Council yesterday.

Mayor Tim Macindoe says the transfer of water and wastewater assets to IAWAI, is the decisive final step toward a new era of water management. One that finally confronts decades of underinvestment, delivers the scale of water investment our communities urgently need, protects the Waikato River, and ensures households face lower water costs than if councils continued alone.

“Almost a year ago we were the first joint council entity to have our water services plans approved by Government, and we are proud of the way our two councils have continued to work in genuine partnership.

“This landmark decision brings us together as one regional organisation with the scale to plan, invest, and deliver water services more effectively and affordably, for decades to come.”

The new organisation will be able to fund greater investment in water services to support public health for current and future populations, as well as building more resilience into the networks. Around $3 billion in projects will be delivered by IAWAI over the next decade.

Besides economic benefits, the CCO allows more cohesive regional planning for critical growth infrastructure and a more co-ordinated approach to safeguarding the Waikato River and the wider environment.

From July 2026 IAWAI will be formally responsible for delivery of water and wastewater services to the areas previously serviced by Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils and will deliver stormwater services on behalf of the councils.

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