IPWEA NZ supports the recommendations of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry

6 December 2017.

The Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry has raised significant issues about the way water supplies are managed and delivered in NZ.

Safe potable water supplies are essential services for the health and well-being of our communities.

The Institute of Public Works Engineering fully supports the recommendations of the report, and in particular, the need to treat drinking water. Business Manager, Peter Higgs says that “the Havelock North event and other examples around the country show that we cannot rely on nor assume that untreated water supplies are safe for consumption”.

Water supplies must be safe to drink and protect the public health of our communities and visitors.

The report also highlights the need for a consistent and independent approach to how water supplies are regulated and monitored to ensure that Havelock North type of issues do not reoccur.

There needs to be a focus on the full spectrum of the water supply activity – from governance to how the service is delivered. The includes decision making, risk management, asset management operation and training.

IPWEA NZ strongly supports the recommendations of the report which need to be implemented by the new governmen

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